Not an exclusive service

I REFER to the Keeping Posted article headlined, ''Transported to new level of convenience'' (South China Morning Post, March 3).

The article suggested that civil servants living in Mount Butler government quarters were benefiting from a more convenient green mini-bus service than other residents of the Jardine's Lookout area, because ''their'' 24M route operates to Admiralty, whereas other residents have to rely on the 14M service to Causeway Bay.

Green mini-bus services are planned to satisfy predictable travel requirements between one place and another, and they should avoid duplication with existing public transport services.

Jardine's Lookout has long been served by the China Motor Bus Company's route 11, which makes a one-way circuit of Perkins Road and the lower part of Mount Butler Road, before proceeding via Tai Hang Road to Causeway Bay and Central. In 1979, green mini-bus route 14 was introduced to connect Moorsom Road with Causeway Bay via Broadwood Road. Later re-numbered the 14M, this service provides a quick connection to Causeway Bay, and is also the only scheduled public transport link along Broadwood Road.

In May 1980 green mini-bus route 24M was introduced, not only to serve the Mount Butler government quarters, but also to provide a direct connection between Jardine's Lookout, Wan Chai and Admiralty.

Considered together bus route 11, and green mini-bus routes 14M and 24M provide complementary services for residents of Jardine's Lookout. Route 24M is certainly not an exclusive service for civil servants, whilst the 14M is also patronised by Mount Butler residents via the footpath link between Clementi Road and Moorsom Road.

T. V. RUNACLES for Commissioner for Transport