POSTAL SERVICES (Motorised delivery of mail in rural areas)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Communications (a~ how many scooters and motor cycles (including reserves) are available in the Postal Services Department for the delivery of mail in the rural areas; and (h) how successful has the use of these motorised units been in expediting the delivery of mail in the rural areas.

Mr Chai Chong Yii (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, 88 out of a total fleet of 124 motor scooters are available for delivery duties in the rural areas.

It is the view of the Postal Services Department that the use of scooters in the rural areas has been successful. In these areas, the delivery beats cover relatively longer distances of travel between the delivery post office and the first delivery point. The delivery points are also more scattered. Use of scooterised beats in the rural areas has reduced the travelling time of postmen by about 60 per cent, and each scooterised delivery beat can handle up to 33 per cent more mail traffic than a bicycle beat.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, are all the motor scooters serviceable?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Sir, the answer is yes.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, are there sufficient spare parts for the motor scooters?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Sir, the Postal Services Department has four spare motor scooters and nine spare motor cycles. These are not included in the total fleet of 124 motor scooters which I have just given.