ENG-1991 — Page 288

TRANSPORT

sations may request a non-franchised bus operator to apply for such a service, which is then vetted and authorised under an operators' passenger service licence. Residents' services must operate in accordance with approved schedules of service, which also specify the routing, timetable, stopping places, and, in some cases, the fares. Most of these services operate during peak hours. A licence is normally valid for one year and may be renewed if there is a continuing need for the service.

At the end of the year, there were 68 residents' services running 68 000 passenger trips a day. Vehicles used on these services ranged from small 18-seat coaches to double-deck buses. Twenty residents' services were introduced during the year providing bus services from various residential centres mainly in the New Territories and the southern part of Hong Kong Island.

Apart from residents' services, non-franchised bus operators also serve the needs of factory employees, tourists and students on a group hire basis. At the end of 1991, the licensed fleet of non-franchised buses totalled 3 713 vehicles, of which 262 were double- deckers and mostly air-conditioned.

Ferries

Ferry services are still an important means of crossing the harbour and essential for travelling to Hong Kong's outlying islands. Ferry travel is largely provided by two franchised operators Star Ferry Company Limited (SF) and Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HYF).

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SF operated 12 vessels across the harbour and, during the year, carried 36 million passengers on its three routes. Fares ranged from $1 to $1.50.

HYF owned 74 licensed vessels and operated 25 ferry routes, including passenger and vehicular services across the harbour, services to the outlying islands and charter services. In 1991, the company carried 117 300 passengers and 7 000 vehicles daily. Cross-harbour passenger fares ranged from $2.8 to $3.8 and outlying islands fares from $4 to $18.

Eight minor ferry services were operated by six licensed operators. These were supplemented by kaitos, or local village ferry services, which were licensed to serve remote coastal settlements. At the end of the year, 115 kaitos were in operation, run by 102 operators.

The Port of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the busiest ports in the world in terms of container throughput, tonnage of shipping using its facilities, cargo handled and number of passengers carried. Ocean-going ships from more than 200 lines, flying the flags of 70 countries, trade between Hong Kong and ports around the world. Vessels of all descriptions ply the busy harbour daily. During 1991, there was one ship arrival or departure every 12 minutes.

The Hong Kong Government has always taken the view that it generally should not undertake activities which can be done commercially, and often more efficiently, by the private sector. In many ways Hong Kong leads the world in this respect and the port is a good example. Many of the port facilities, such as the container terminals and dockyards, are privately owned and operated.

The port as a whole is administered by the Marine Department, which is responsible for all aspects of Hong Kong's maritime affairs. The principal function of the department in

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