Relaxation of restricted zones for taxis extended 12 months

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (January 11) that the scheme on relaxation of peak-hour clearways and 7am to 7pm clearways on roads with speed limits less than 70 kilometres per hour for taxis will be extended for a further period of 12 months up to January 31, 2009.

     A TD spokesman said, "The scheme was first introduced in May 2003. As it has not caused any major traffic congestion or obstruction on the whole and will facilitate taxis to provide point-to-point service to passengers, the Government decided to further extend the relaxation.

     Taxis will be given a further 12-month exemption, from February 1, 2008, to January 31, 2009, from the restrictions for picking up and setting down passengers at the no stopping restricted (NSR) zones concerned.  As in the current arrangement, taxis will not be allowed to wait for passengers at these NSR zones."

     "Taxi drivers should continue to exercise self discipline and to strictly observe the 'pick up, drop-off and go' and 'no waiting' rules.  If there are violations of these rules or obstruction and inconvenience are caused to other road users, the Government will consider terminating the relaxation wholly or in part before expiry of the extended period," the spokesman added.

     The TD and the Police will continue to monitor the traffic situations closely and take appropriate enforcement action against taxi queues which pose serious traffic congestion or safety hazards at junctions and on busy roads.

     "Since the existing restricted zone permits of taxis will expire after January 31, 2008, taxi owners/drivers are required to replace their existing permits with the new ones," the spokesman said.  

     "The TD will set up counters for the issue of new permits at 13 designated LPG refilling stations (see annex) from January 23 to January 25, from noon to 6pm daily.  Taxi owners/drivers are required to bring along and show their existing permits at the above counters for obtaining the new permits. Permit renewal services will also be made available at the TD's four licensing offices from January 23," he added.

     Enquiries about the relaxation and arrangements for permit renewal can be directed to the government hotline at 1823.

Ends/Friday, January 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:01

Attachement: http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/200801/11/P200801110100_0100_35421.doc