Transport Department responses on Regulation of Non-franchised Buses

     In response to media enquiries on the regulation of non-franchised buses, the Transport Department (TD) emphasised today (November 17) that non-franchised bus services as a supplementary role in the public transport system, have been mostly operated in compliance with the ordinance and law.  However, if there were operators operating unauthorized bus services, there would be negative impact on the traffic situation and the environment.  TD therefore had been closely monitoring the operation of non-franchised buses and would take follow-up actions and conduct inquiries against any operation of unauthorized bus services.

     A spokesman for TD said that the Commissioner for Transport was empowered under section 30 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (RTO) (Cap. 374) to hold inquiry against the holder of passenger service licence (PSL) for operation of unauthorized bus service.  If the operation was established, the Commissioner might impose sanction including suspension, cancellation and variation of the PSL on the PSL holder.

     Should the PSL holder aggravates with the decision of the Commissioner, he may apply for a Transport Tribunal review on the decision of the Commissioner under section 32 of the RTO.

     From time to time, TD has briefed the trade the above measures and procedures on handling the unauthorized bus services through various channels including regular meetings with the trade, correspondence letters, NFB Bulletins and TD's website.  The measures and procedures are therefore clear and well understood by the PSL holders.

     TD will maintain dialogue with the trade.

Ends/Monday, November 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:57