NSR relaxation scheme for taxi extended for 12 months

     The Transport Department today (January 21) announced that the scheme on relaxation of peak-hour clearways and 7am-7pm clearways on roads with speed limits less than 70 kilometres per hour for taxis would be extended for a further period of 12 months up to January 31, 2007.

     A department spokesman said the scheme was first introduced in May 2003. "As it has not caused any major traffic congestion or obstruction on the whole and will facilitate taxis to provide point-to-point service to passengers, the Government decided to further extend the relaxation," the spokesman said.

     "Taxis will be given a further 12-month exemption, from February 1, 2006, to January 31, 2007, from the restrictions for picking up and setting down passengers at the no stopping restricted (NSR) zones concerned.  Same as the current arrangement, taxis will not be allowed to wait for passengers at these NSR zones.

     "Taxi drivers should continue to exercise self discipline and to strictly observe the 'pick up, drop-off and go' and 'no waiting' rules.  If there are violations of traffic rules or obstruction and inconvenience are caused to other road users, the Government will consider terminating the relaxation in whole or in part before expiry of the extended period," the spokesman said.

     The Transport Department and the Police will continue to monitor the traffic situations closely and take appropriate enforcement action against taxi queues which posed serious traffic congestion or safety hazards at junctions and on busy roads.

     Since the existing restricted zone permits of taxis would expire after January 31, 2006, taxi owners/drivers were required to replace their existing permits with the new ones, the spokesman said.  

     The department would set up counters for the issue of new permits at 13 designated LPG refilling stations (see Annex) from Monday (January 23 to January 25 from noon to 6pm, the spokesman said.  "Taxi owners/drivers are required to bring along and show their existing permits at the counters for obtaining the new permits. Permit renewal services would also be available at the department's four Licensing Offices from January 23," he said.

     Enquiries about the relaxation and arrangement on permit renewal can be directed to the department Hotline at 2804 2600.

Annex

LPG refilling stations for the issue of new permits

Name of Company: ECO
District: Eastern
Station Address: Joint of Fung Yip Street and On Yip Street, Chai Wan

Name of Company: CRC
District: Central and Western
Station Address: Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan

Name of Company: ECO
District: Wan Chai
Station Address: Marsh Road, Wan Chai

Name of Company: CRC
District: Kwun Tong
Station Address: Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong

Name of Company: CRC
District: Kowloon Bay
Station Address: Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay

Name of Company: ECO
District: Western Kowloon
Station Address: Hau Cheung Street, West Kowloon

Name of Company: ECO
District: Mei Foo
Station Address: Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo

Name of Company: CRC
District: Kwai Chung
Station Address: Joint of Kwai On Road and Kwai Chung Road, Kwai Chung

Name of Company: CRC
District: Tai Po
Station Address: Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po

Name of Company: CRC
District: Yuen Long
Station Address: Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long

Name of Company: ECO
District: Tuen Mun
Station Address: Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun

Name of Company: CRC
District: Ma On Shan
Station Address: Ma On Shan Road, Ma On Shan

Name of Company: CRC
District: Fanling
Station Address: Pak Wo Road near Yat Ming Road, Fanling

Ends/Saturday, January 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:42