New Territories Taxi Fare Concessionary Fares Effective on June 8

The New Territories (NT) taxis will charge passengers concessionary fares for a period of six months from June 8, 2003 to December 7, 2003. The concessionary fare scheme is a self-initiated move by the NT taxi trade to enhance the competitiveness of NT taxis and to attract more business.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon (June 3), the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman said the Chief Executive - in - Council had approved earlier this morning the application put forward by the NT taxi trade for offering concessionary fares for a period of six months commencing June 8, 2003 (Sunday).

"The fare concession scheme is a temporary measure for six months. Under the scheme, the flagfall charge of $12.50 and the first seven incremental charge of $1.20 of NT taxis will remain unchanged. The charge for every increment will subsequently be reduced from $1.20 to $0.90 after the fare has reached $20.90. The scheme will benefit the general public, in particular long trip passengers who may enjoy over 20 per cent discount on NT taxi fare", Mr. Footman noted.

"The fare of NT taxis will automatically be adjusted back to the existing level upon expiry of the scheme on December 8, 2003". Mr. Footman added.

"As the concession scheme is a temporary measure, Transport Department will not require taxi owners to re-calibrate their taxi meters in order to save their expenses", Mr. Footman said.

"To facilitate understanding of the concessionary fares to be paid by the passengers when taking a NT taxi, all NT taxi drivers are required by law to display a new NT taxi fare table and a NT Taxi Concessionary Fare Notice issued by Transport Department inside the taxi compartment during the six month period. They are also required to issue taxi fare receipt with correct concessionary fare shown to passengers upon request", Mr. Footman added.

To facilitate the implementation of the concessionary fare scheme, Transport Department will commence the distribution of the new taxi fare table and the Concessionary Fare Notice from June 5, 2003 onwards at 10 LPG refilling stations in NT and through NT taxi associations. The details of the distribution arrangements will be announced shortly.

The NT taxi fare concession scheme is a self-initiated move by 10 NT taxi associations which are registered members of Transport Department's Conference on NT Taxi Operations. The associations submitted their application to Transport Department on May 19, 2003. The Government took three weeks to assess and approve the application.

End/Tuesday, June 3, 2003