Relaxation of no-stopping restrictions to help taxi trade

The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, today (April 24) announced a scheme to relax general stopping restrictions for taxis to provide immediate relief to the trade under the difficult operating environment with the outbreak of atypical pneumonia.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Footman said the transport trade, in particular taxis, was hard hit by the outbreak.

Indications are that business has dropped by over 50% for night-shift taxis and some 10% to 20% for day-shift taxis. Fare receipts of taxi drivers have dropped drastically despite longer working hours, and a number of taxis are also left idle despite a reduction of taxi rental fees of up to 15 per cent in some cases.

While the Government and the taxi trade have made joint efforts to promote the cleansing of taxis and wearing of face masks, the impact of atypical pneumonia on the taxi sector remains acute and may last for some time.

"On this basis, we are prepared to introduce some time-limited measures to help the taxi trade tide over this exceptionally difficult period," Mr Footman said. "We will, as an exceptional temporary arrangement, lift the no-stopping restrictions for taxis on peak-hour clearways and 7am to 7pm clearways, on roads with speed limits less than 70kph. In view of possible traffic implications of such a general relaxation, this measure will be implemented for a limited period of three months.

"In addition, and as a permanent measure, we will shorten the general afternoon peak-hour no-stopping restriction period from 4pm to 7pm to 5pm -7pm. This relaxation applies to all modes of transport and will help improve the operating environment of individual minor transport modes."

Under the new arrangement, taxis will be given a three-month temporary exemption from the restrictions from picking up and setting down passengers at the non-stopping restriction areas concerned. On the basis that taxis will be allowed to pick up and set down passengers, but not wait for passengers, the Transport Department's assessment is that, taking into account the current reduced volume of traffic on the roads in Hong Kong generally compared with before the outbreak, the average vehicle journey time would be increased to a certain extent and there could be some congestion at certain busy areas, but the overall traffic impact should be manageable.

"To ensure smooth implementation of the temporary measure, it is important that taxi drivers should exercise self discipline," Mr Footman said.

"The Transport Department is making final arrangements for the issue of the exemption permits to the taxi trade. We aim to implement the new measure on May 1, 2003."

The department stressed:

	The scheme would cease after three months;
	The scheme could be withdrawn in part or in whole before the three months if necessary;
	Drivers must comply with the pick up/drop off requirements, that is, not to wait for passengers;
	Owner representatives must not increase the rent during the scheme.

Concerning the shortening of the general afternoon peak-hour no-stopping restriction period, Mr Footman said that in September 2002, the 7am to 8am restriction was lifted and the implementation was smooth with no complaints.

"A further review by the Transport Department and the Police indicated that it was also feasible to lift the 4pm - 5pm restriction period," he said.

"The general relaxation will apply to all modes of transport and it will be implemented by way of publication of the revised no-stopping restriction in the Gazette.

"The 5pm - 7pm no-stopping restriction will be maintained as these are the two busiest hours of the day in terms of traffic flow."

There are about 1,500 road sections concerned and the appropriate traffic signs will be erected in stages from early May to mid June 2003.

The Commissioner noted that other public transport modes, including Public Light Buses, coaches, cross-boundary coaches and nanny vans have also been adversely affected by the outbreak of atypical pneumonia.

The Chief Executive announced yesterday (April 23) the Government's decision to waive licence fees for taxis, school buses, public light buses and coaches for one year, and the $3.5 billion loan guarantee scheme, which includes the tourist coach operators licensed by the Transport Department. These financial measures will help provide immediate relief to the transport sector.

"We are in discussion with these trades to identify what further assistance can be offered to help them," the Commissioner said.

"The Transport Department operates a concessionary $500 monthly parking ticket for taxis, subject to quota, at the department's carparks. It will expand the quota, extend the scheme to nanny vans, and reduce the rate to $250 per month from May 1, 2003 for three months."

End/Thursday, April 24, 2003