Wearing seat-belts may soon become mandatory as legislation requiring their use will be introduced during the new Parliamentary session.

Several transport issues were covered in Friday's Throne Speech. Some of these were age-old problems while others included the introduction of new technology and safety initiatives.

In an effort to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents, The Ministry of Transport will introduce legislation to make it mandatory to use seat-belts in all private motor cars and commercial vehicles.

This is in accordance with a recommendation from the Road Safety Council.

Plans have also been made by the Ministry of Transport to initiate a concerted programme to improve the service standards provided to the general public by the Transport Control Department (TCD).

This will include publishing The TCD Inspection Manual on car and commercial vehicle testing. This manual will set out the testing procedure and standards for examiners and provide vehicle owners with details of the inspections and the reasons why a TCD test certificate could be refused.

The new draft City of Hamilton Plan will be tabled in the legislature and published in mid-November.

For the first time the plan, which will guide the general development of the City, will incorporate traffic management proposals. It will also include initiatives to enhance the City's pedestrian environment.

Government is also fully committed to the introduction of a more modern ferry service and a contract has been signed with Boston-based Gladding-Hearn to build two of four new catamaran ferries. The ferries cost $2.5 million each, with the first scheduled for delivery next year and the second in January 2002.

In the interim, as part of efforts to upgrade the level of service provided to the public, ferry schedules in the West End were adjusted this summer and initial reports indicate that this has resulted in increased use by the public.

A National Transportation Management Plan including an integrated network of public transport services combining the bus system, ferry system, mini-bus service providers and an enhanced scheduling and fare collection system will be introduced.

The Plan will also include recommendations on noise pollution, a review of vehicle ownership policies and other measures designed to reduce traffic congestion.

See Editorial: Page 4