Q What do you think of the Ngong Ping cable car's service record? I consider it irresponsible and irrational for legislators such as Andrew Cheng Kar-foo to become self-appointed, self-anointed experts and demand that the cable car management be replaced. The parent company of Skyrail-ITM, operating near Cairns in Australia, runs an exceptionally good system which I have tried on several occasions. I have to admit that I have yet to ride the Ngong Ping 360 system, but as a long-time walker of Lantau's trails, I saw every stage of the cableway construction from the tracks below. I have now walked the trail below the cableway many times, and have noted the smooth operation of the system. That track, constructed as part of the MTR cableway contract, has the unofficial name of the Skyrail High Trail, and provides one of the best walks in Hong Kong. However, the current question concerns the cable car's service record. There is no doubt there have been several glitches in the operation that have seriously inconvenienced some passengers. Feelings have been running high and tempers frayed, and possibly Skyrail management has not been proactive enough in dealing with the situation. Nobody wants the problems and disruptions that have occurred, but there is really no excuse for not having information ready to cover potential situations. This should be prepared in Cantonese, English and Putonghua, and delivered speedily, as is the case now, when delays occur on the MTR and KCR. Remember, too, that all of our rail systems, MTR, KCR and Light Rail, experienced disruptions in their early stages. There were also serious problems when Chek Lap Kok opened, which were eventually overcome. Overall, I consider that the 99 per cent reliability achieved recently is reassuring. A 100 per cent rating must be the goal, but time is required to iron out possible design, construction and operational problems. The operators, who probably had little input in the early planning and construction, should be given maximum assistance by the MTR Corp and the government departments concerned to perfect the running of the system. Gordon Andreassend, Tai Kok Tsui Living in a valley overlooking the Tung Chung area, I watched with scepticism as the cable car was constructed. The hype that surrounded the approaching opening of Hong Kong's newest marvel brought back memories of the hype around Disney, Hello Kitty at 7-Eleven, and Snoopy at McDonald's. Why can't people just get on with things? The propensity to obsess about every novelty in day-to-day life shows a need for Hong Kong people to reflect a bit more on bigger issues, such as family violence, poverty, the aged. The cable car is up and running and will be for many years to come. We built it and they will come, and they will complain no matter how trivial the matter. I can't wait for the next promotion at KFC. Peter Barrett, Tung Chung Q What do you think of the smoking ban? The repeated claims in many editorial letters that smokers are being 'ostracised' by the new smoking regulations are ridiculous. It's not as if the physically handicapped are being banned from restaurants. Smoking is, after all, a voluntarily acquired habit and a smelly, unhealthy one at that. Nobody forces one to smoke. If smokers want to come in from outside and join the vast majority of the Hong Kong public at the dining table, they need only put out their cigarettes for the duration of a meal. The idea that restaurants will see a decline in business is highly questionable. Most restaurants and bars in New York saw improved business after non-smoking regulations were passed. Smoking has been banned in malls and cinemas for years, and yet people still go to these public venues. I hardly see legions of smokers rushing home at lunch or not going out to dinner with friends because they can't smoke in a restaurant. I suspect that in a few years, people will look back to the pre-legislation years and be amazed that we put up with smoking in restaurants for so long. Jayne Schrantz, Mid-Levels Q Do we need more services to help the obese? The best weapon against gaining weight is keep doing exercise - and running is the best. Then do not eat too much junk food and, especially, just drink no more than four cans of soft drink a month. I have been running 10km every day for the past eight years. My weight always stays the same. Running will definitely keep you fit, healthy and full of confidence. Jason Chan, Tsim Sha Tsui Yes we do. Obesity places a heavy medical burden on society. Prevention is better than healing the problems it causes. Nutrition plans, guidance and observation should be provided by the government because the private sector is more profit-oriented, although it can help. Regular counselling and group support are also encouraged. A basic knowledge of fitness is needed as those who need to lose weight are also responsible for their health by motivating themselves to do exercise. We can also do something in church. Overeating is generated by stress. Sometimes we have to pray for better lifestyles. Karen Ting Kam-ying, Kwai Chung
