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(101KB)(106KB)(86KB)NT Taxi Concessionary Fare Scheme Review
At the request of the New Territories (NT) taxi trade, the Transport Department (TD) will review the effectiveness of the NT taxi concessionary fare scheme which was launched on 8 June 2003. A survey will be conducted next week to gauge the views of NT taxi owners and drivers.
TD spokesmen said: "We have appointed Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd as our consultant to conduct questionnaire survey with all registered owners of 2,838 NT taxis, and about 4,600 in-service NT taxi drivers / owner-drivers. The questionnaires were sent to all the registered owners of NT taxis by post yesterday. They are requested to return the completed questionnaires to TD by 25 June 2003 the latest. On the other hand, TD's consultant will deploy surveyors at 13 designated LPG refilling stations in the NT next Monday and Tuesday to conduct questionnaire interviews with in-services taxi drivers. NT taxi drivers may express their views at these LPG refilling stations at any time between 11:00 a.m. on 23 June 2003 (next Monday) and 11:00 a.m. on 24 June 2003 (next Tuesday). To avoid congestion, NT taxi drivers are encouraged to visit the LPG refilling stations in non-peak hours."
"The surveys are to gauge the views of taxi operators on whether or not they support the current temporary NT taxi concessionary fare scheme to continue up to the end of the 6-month period on 7 December 2003. We will decide on the way forward on the concessionary fare scheme on the basis of the majority view reflected by the results of the surveys. In the surveys, taxi operators will be requested to provide their names, driving licences number and registration mark of their taxis as appropriate", TD spokesman said. "To enhance understanding of the operation of the NT taxi trade, TD will also collect useful operating statistics of NT taxis in the surveys. Such information will be for reference purpose."
"It is expected that the survey results would be available by early July. We will then discuss with the NT taxi trade on the way forward", the spokesmen supplemented.
To assess taxi passengers' awareness on and response to the NT taxi fare concessionary scheme, TD will also conduct a survey next week at selected taxi stands.
Enquiries about the surveys can be directed to the Government Hotline on 1823.
End/Friday, June 20, 2003