More taxi drop-off points to give passengers convenience

Two new taxi drop-off points are designated in Mong Kok and Fanling respectively to facilitate the provision of point-to-point taxi services and to give taxi passengers more convenience.

The new taxi drop-off points are located at 282 Portland Street near Mong Kok MTR Station, and Lui Ming Road outside Flora Plaza in Fanling. The one in Fanling is opened today (April 10) while taxi passengers can use the one in Mong Kok from tomorrow (April 11) onwards.

Together with the five taxi drop-off points that have been in use since January 14 this year, there are a total of seven taxi drop-off points.

Announcing details of the new taxi drop-off points, a spokesman for the Transport Department said the scheme was part of the department's continuous efforts in improving taxi service quality.

He said: "The taxi drop-off points are usually located either close to or at the fringe of commercial/shopping area so that taxis do not need to enter the busy area and thus will shorten journey time.

"Moreover, queuing time at fully packed taxi stands will be saved as taxi drivers can set down passengers at taxi drop-off points which are provided near such taxi stands."

Though taxi drivers are allowed to set down passengers at taxi drop-off points during the clearway restriction period, the spokesman reminded that picking up of passengers are strictly prohibited at taxi drop-off points.

On the operation of the existing five taxi drop-off points, which are located at Percival Street in Causeway Bay, Ferry Street in Yau Ma Tei, Hing Ning Road outside Metroplaza in Kwai Fong, Tuen Hi Road outside Tuen Mun Town Plaza in Tuen Mun, and Long Ping Estate in Yuen Long, the spokesman said these five taxi drop-off points were generally well utilised.

"We find that the arrangement of permitting taxi drivers to set down passengers within clearways is widely accepted by both taxi drivers and passengers.

"On the whole, the taxi drop-off point scheme works satisfactorily. No major obstruction was caused to other road users.

"We will keep on identifying suitable locations for implementing the scheme to facilitate taxi passengers without causing inconvenience or obstruction to other road users," added the spokesman.

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Annex

Utilisation of taxi drop-off points*

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*The survey was conducted at different times of a working day in January this year covering morning peak, off peak and evening peak periods.

End/Monday, April 10, 2000