TD and Police step up actions against unauthorized RS

"Transport Department and the Police will join hands in stepping up enforcement actions against unauthorized Residents' Service ("RS") operation." A spokesman for Transport Department said this while he was reminding the traveling public to avoid patronizing unauthorized RS and to only take those services that are authorized.

"There have been increasing concerns of the public and other public transport modes on the activities of unauthorized RS which lead to traffic problems on roads and at kerbsides, especially in busy corridors and affect the legitimate operation of other public transport modes. There are also uncertainties in the third-party insurance coverage for services operating without authorization. We need to step up enforcement actions against the unsatisfactory situation."

"We have a comprehensive public transport network serving the general public. Transport Department will continue to monitor passenger demand closely to ensure that service provision matches with demand. For exceptional cases where no alternative public transport service is available and there are identified genuine needs for the unauthorized RS, Transport Department would consider formalizing their operation, where appropriate, to operate to the nearby railway stations or major public transport interchanges."

"Any operator found operating RS without proper authorization may be subject to summons action or inquiry conducted by Transport Department," the spokesman said.

"Depending on the findings of an inquiry, the Passenger Service Licence held by the operator in question may be cancelled, suspended or varied."

A Police spokesman said: "Operating RS without proper authorization is an offence under the Road Traffic Ordinance. Offenders are liable to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for 3 months in the case of a first conviction for that offence, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, a fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months. The Police will provide full support to TD in stepping up actions to enforce against unauthorized operation of RS."

To facilitate the public to differentiate authorized services from the unauthorized ones, Transport Department has already improved the signage on buses of authorized RS. Transport Department also plans to erect more bus stops at black spots in the urban areas and the New Territories to facilitate passengers to take authorized RS.

Transport Department spokesman added: "The role of RS is supplementary in the public transport system, primarily to help reduce the peak-hour demand for franchised bus and green minibus services where they are inadequate. Applications for RS are considered having regard to the above principle, taking into account relevant factors such as the level of public transport services already provided or planned by other public transport operators, and traffic conditions in the areas and on the roads where the services are to be provided."

At present, there are over 300 authorized RS routes operating in various parts of Hong Kong. Transport Department envisage that with the continuous improvements in other public transport modes to better serve passengers, the need for RS would reduce.

End/Thursday, May 9, 2002