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SCMP Reporter

What do you think of the Tramways deal?
 For the sake of improving the service provided by Hong Kong's trams, Wharf (Holdings) has decided to sell a 50 per cent stake to the prominent French company Veolia Transport.  
I applaud this deal because both companies have guaranteed that the design and the appearance of the trams will not be changed, that the trams' unique cultural characteristics will be preserved. 
I am also pleased that Veolia has said it has no plans to raise fares or reduce the workforce. 
The citizens of Hong Kong will benefit from this deal. 
I hope we will see better management and improved technology, given that Veolia Transport is an experienced multinational company.
Wong Ngai-hung, Sha Tin
 I really only have two comments on the acquisition of the Hongkong Tramways business by Veolia Transport.
 I cannot see why anyone would buy a business that 'barely breaks even on the HK$2 fare' ('Replica trams for harbourfront', April 8), unless they could see some way of extracting more revenue out of the company. 
Therefore, I don't expect to see the status quo remain.
 Also, the proposal to put a public transport system along the waterfront on the Central/Wan Chai reclamation would appear to be a belated April Fool's Day joke. Why would anyone think that is a good idea? 
Here we are with the first chance in a couple of decades to give Hongkongers access to their spectacular waterfront in relative peace and quiet, and the plan is to run public transport right through the middle of it.
 How did this idea even make it on to the design committee meeting minutes? 
Next, we'll be reading that there are proposals to build retail outlets at the new tram stops.
 Can somebody who really understands the needs of this city's urban environment please take over this project quickly before it joins the mound of wasted urban planning opportunities we already have surrounding us?
Graeme Torre, Mid-Levels
Is Amah Rock worthy of being named a new world wonder?
 The Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong does not want any organisations or government departments to officially sponsor Amah Rock in the New7Wonders  campaign to find 'the seven new natural wonders of the world' ('Amah Rock's bid for world fame at risk', April 2). 
 Amah Rock is a long way from qualifying as a 'world wonder' because in global terms it is not unique. We agree that it is beautiful and it was voted the most beautiful rock in Hong Kong in our 2007 Rocks Beauty Pageant. However, there are many similar, if not better, rock features in Hong Kong and around the world.
 Hong Kong will run the risk of fooling overseas visitors if we promote this potential 'world wonder' as one of our sightseeing attractions. If they make special arrangements to visit Amah Rock, they will be extremely disappointed by its lack of uniqueness, rarity and extensiveness.
 The organiser of the New7Wonders is not associated with the United Nations cultural agency Unesco. The results are not endorsed nor recognised by Unesco. 
Many people may not realise this and think it is a Unesco initiative, like Unesco's World Heritage List. This would cause confusion.
 The voting system of the New7Wonders is unclear. There is a worldwide public vote and an organising committee vote. 
With the global public poll, one e-mail address has one vote, which would enable a person with more than one  e-mail address to have additional votes  to get the desired result. 
 In addition, the organising committee has not revealed precisely how the final decision will be reached before the final selections are made.
For these reasons, the association believes it is unwise for any government department or organisation to use taxpayers' money to support the Amah Rock bid for the New7Wonders. 
To do so would undermine Hong Kong's good international reputation instead of helping to promote our tourism industry and international status.
Cindy Choi, Hong Kong convenor, Association for Geoconservation
How can the use of electric cars be promoted?
 I was very pleased to read the report 'Disco Bay mulled as MyCar crucible' (April 7).
 It is a great step forward for the government to consider the use of electric cars. It  is long overdue, especially in a place like Discovery Bay where an electric vehicle would be ideal.
The report referred to Discovery Bay residents driving around in electric golf buggies. However, all the buggies are powered not by batteries but ultra-polluting two-stroke combustion engines. 
Why two-stroke engines were chosen for this otherwise environmentally conscious community is beyond me.
I am very happy and encouraged to hear that the government is finally considering something very sensible to replace these noisy, smoky and old-fashioned buggies.
I can't wait for the day when I am not encased in a plume of black smoke every time one of these machines is started up next to me. 
Hats off to our forward-thinking government officials who are making Hong Kong the modern city it is. All involved have my fullest gratitude.
Ueli Tschupp-Lambert, Discovery Bay
On other matters ...
 Suzanne Chung makes a very good point (Talkback, April 8).
 It is already illegal for cross-border bus drivers to leave the engine running and get off the bus, so why is the Transport Department turning a blind eye to this illegal use of buses? This is a violation of the public service licence that the department issues.
 Why is it not running inspections on the street to see  whether the bus owners are following the licence conditions? 
This is its job, not the job of the police or the Environmental Protection Department. 
The Transport Department, which issues the licences, is the regulator and yet it refuses to regulate. 
Transport Commissioner Alan Wong Chi-kong  should go to Mong Kok and make sure public service licence holders are following the law and, if they are not, their licences should be cancelled. 
Annelise Connell, Stanley



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