What do you think of the Mong Kok plans? I applaud the government's plan to improve the environment of Mong Kok's shopping areas ('A greener Mong Kok is in the pipeline', July 22). While it is encouraging to see that the environment will be improved in one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, I am more eager to see a Mong Kok free of the nuisance caused by dripping air conditioners. It amazes me to see how the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department turns a blind eye to those residents and tourists zigzagging their way around crowded Tung Choi Street, Soy Street, Nelson Street, and any other streets you can name just to avoid water dripping from air conditioners. The proposed widening of pavements will not help if water keeps dripping from above. S. Suen, Ho Man Tin Do you think buses are too cold? It is very subjective, as it depends, for example, on your build. Some people might feel hot inside a bus even if the temperature is 18 degrees Celsius, while other passengers would judge 25 degrees to be too cold. I find the temperature on most buses to be suitable. However, on some buses I have found the temperature to be uncomfortable. Even with air conditioning, a bus can sometimes be stuffy. I find that very disappointing, especially when I have been queuing up in the blazing sun for a while. However, sometimes I will board a bus with its air conditioning going and find that it is freezing and I end up getting a cold. I think it is quite common for passengers to get colds when they have been on a bus with freezing temperatures. It is also annoying if you are wearing glasses; they mist over as soon as you alight from the bus into the summer heat. Why don't the bus companies adapt the temperatures depending on the routes? For example, on a short route, they could have cooler temperatures, so passengers would benefit from the air conditioning even though they were not on board for long. For journeys of a longer duration, they could have slightly warmer settings. This would enable passengers boarding from a hot street to cool down gradually. Apart from the problems with air conditioners, we cannot ignore the serious roadside air pollution created by buses. I think that whenever possible, we should walk instead of using vehicles. Carman Chan Ka-man, Kwun Tong In my opinion, buses are too cold, and this is not a good state of affairs for passengers or for the environment. Every time I travel by bus, I find it is very cold and I have to put on my jacket. I know if you have been queuing up outside on a really hot day waiting for a bus, then it is very pleasant to board the cool interior of a bus. But if it is too cold it is not good for your health, because you will experience sudden changes in temperature. In such circumstances it is very easy to catch a cold. We must all know by know that air conditioners contribute to global warming. The emissions from buses with air conditioning increases roadside temperatures in Hong Kong, and this exacerbates what is known as the 'heat island' effect. It is a vicious circle, because the hotter you feel, the more often you set air conditioning at cold temperatures. I think the air-con temperatures on buses are too cold. The government encourages offices to maintain air conditioners at 25.5 degrees Celsius. I think bus companies can take this as an index and try to turn up the temperature. For some routes that have fewer passengers, I believe the temperature can be turned even higher. Everybody, including bus companies, has a responsibility to protect the environment. Turning up the air-conditioner temperatures is a good way to save energy, and I think these companies should adopt this practice. Anna Au Lok-sang, Tsuen Wan Should fines for overdue library items be increased? I think fines should be increased for overdue library items. The daily fines for the children's section, 50 HK cents, and for adults, HK$1.50, are too low. This means that borrowers ignore the problem of having an overdue item. I accept that the majority of readers are considerate. It is the right of citizens to borrow books from Hong Kong's public libraries, but it is also their responsibility to return them on time. People who hold on to items beyond the due date of return are just being selfish. If the fines are increased they might think twice in future about being late. I think fines for overdue library items should be increased, as this will have a deterrent effect. Chung Man-yau, Kwun Tong
