Relief measures for taxi trade extended for six months

The Transport Department (TD) announced this afternoon (January 20) that the temporary relaxation of peak-hour clearways and 7am - 7pm clearways, on roads with speed limits less than 70 kilometers per hour for taxis will be extended for a further six months up to July 31.

The temporary relaxation was first introduced in May 2003 as a relief measure to help the taxi trade to improve its business during the SARS period. The temporary relaxation was extended in August 2003 for a period of six months until January 31 2004 to facilitate recovery of taxi business after the SARS period.

The TD has conducted surveys and site observations in recent months to assess the traffic impact of the temporary relaxation measure. On the whole, it has not caused any major traffic congestion or obstruction, but the traffic volume on the busy roads has increased generally and the car journey speed has fallen slightly during peak hours. There are also problems of taxi queueing and waiting activities in individual locations. Taking into account these assessments and that the economy is still picking up, the Government decided to extend the temporary relaxation for a further period of six months. Meanwhile, appropriate enforcement action will be taken against taxi queues which pose serious traffic congestion problems or safety hazards, and no-stopping restrictions for taxis will be re-imposed on the identified blackspots.

Under this arrangement, taxis will be given a further six-month temporary exemption, from February 1, to July 31 from the restrictions from picking up and setting down passengers at the no stopping restricted zones concerned. Same as the current arrangement, taxis will be allowed to pick up and set down passengers, but not to wait for passengers at these restricted zones.

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

The TD and the Police will continue to monitor the traffic situation closely and take appropriate enforcement action against taxi queues which pose serious traffic congestion problems or safety hazards at junctions and on busy roads. Problematic spots such as Garden Road outside Citibank Tower, Paterson Street, Jaffe Road, Pedder Street, Harbour Road outside Grant Hyatt Hotel, Nathan Road and Canton Road will be given particular attention.

The taxi associations have also undertaken to continue reminding their members to strictly comply with the "pick-up, drop-off and go" and not to wait for passengers requirements and of the possible consequence of non-compliance.

Since the existing restricted zone permits of taxis will expire after January 31, 2004, taxi owners/drivers are required to replace their existing permits with the new ones.

The Transport Department will set up counters for the issue of new permits at 12 designated LPG refilling stations (see Annex) from noon to 6pm on January 29 to 31. Taxi owners/drivers are required to bring along their existing permits to the above counters to exchange for the new permits. Permit replacement services will also be made available at the TD's four Licensing Offices from January 29.

Enquiries about the relaxation and arrangements for permit replacement can be directed to the Government Hotline at 1823.

Ends/Tuesday January 20, 2004

Annex