Tenders invited for Lantau taxi licences
The Government today (December 18) announced that a total of 25 Lantau taxi licences will be issued through open tender. Interested body corporates and individual persons aged 18 years or above may submit tender applications. Details of the tender are published in the Gazette.
Interested tenderers can obtain the tender documents from the Licensing Offices of the Transport Department (TD) in Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin between December 21, 2015, and January 11, 2016. The tender closing time will be noon on January 11, 2016. The new Lantau taxis are expected to commence operation in the second quarter of 2016.
The Government's established policy is to issue new taxi licences as and when necessary, having regard to the demand for taxi service, the operating situation of the taxi trade, and the likely impact of the increase in the number of taxis on traffic conditions.
The spokesman said, "The survey results and public feedback have shown that there is unmet demand in the current Lantau taxi service. Future developments on Lantau Island and the projected growth of the local population and visitors will further add to the demand for such service. Therefore, the Government decided to issue 25 Lantau taxi licences."
The spokesman added, "The new Lantau taxi licences will be issued through tender to the highest bidders. The new taxi licences must not be transferred within the first 60 months from the date of first issue of the licence."
As regards the issue of new Lantau taxi licences and the number of licences to be issued, the Government consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, the Transport Advisory Committee and the Lantau taxi trade in mid-2015.
The TD will continue to monitor the overall taxi service level in Hong Kong through carrying out surveys, analysing public feedback and maintaining close liaison with the taxi trade, and will take appropriate follow-up actions whenever necessary.
Ends/Friday, December 18, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:08
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