COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
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the only transport link to Cheung Chau, Lantau, Lamma, Peng Chau, Ma Wan, Po Toi, Hei Ling Chau, Ping Chau and Tap Mun islands. Fares range from 30 cents to $2 according to distance. Excursion services are operated on Sundays and on public holidays.
The company operates a fleet of 83 vessels-36 double-deck, eight triple-deck, 11 water 'buses', 11 water ‘taxis', five hoverferries, 11 vehicular ferries and a 397-seater deluxe vessel suitable for open waters. In addition to their use on ordinary passenger services, the triple-deck vessels are employed on harbour cruises, and the airconditioned top deck has restaurant and night-club facilities. Carrying an average of 365,596 pas- sengers daily, the company is the largest ferry operator in the world.
A number of minor ferry services are provided by small independent operators in various parts of the territory. 'Walla-walla' boats operate to ships anchored in the harbour and also provide a cross-harbour service at night when the ordinary ferry services cease operation.
Taxis
There are 5,465 taxis licensed to operate in the urban areas, including all Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the new towns of Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin in the New Terri- tories. Fares are fixed and charged by metered tariff, equivalent to $2 for the first 1.61 kilometres and 20 cents for each subsequent fifth or part of that distance. A surcharge of $10 is made for cross-harbour journeys through the tunnel or by ferry. About 628,000 people use taxi services each day at fares that are among the cheapest in the world. Many vehicles are airconditioned and the larger taxi companies operate a radio control system to cater for pre-booking arrangements.
The rural areas of the New Territories outside Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin have a fleet of 738 taxis, which charge a standard fare equivalent to $1 for each 1.61 kilometres. Hire cars are available on a pre-arranged basis, the charges being negotiated between the hirer and the operators. However, since many of these vehicles have attempted to operate similar to taxis by touting at the kerbside, steps are being taken to convert the fleet of 916 public hire cars into taxis at a conversion premium.
Transport Administration │{
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The Governor in Council is advised by a government-appointed Transport Advisory Committee on broad issues of transport policy aimed at improving the movement of people and freight. The Commissioner for Transport is the statutory authority respon- sible for planning and regulating public transport services. Apart from the management of road tunnels, vehicle registration and licensing, driving tests and vehicle inspections, he carries out statutory functions under the Road Traffic Ordinance and other legisla- tion relating to individual public transport companies.
During the year, a number of amendments were made to road traffic and transport legislation. These related to the production of a valid third party insurance certificate by a buyer of a registered vehicle; route alterations and temporary services of ferries operated by the Star Ferry Company and the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company; limiting the carriage of passengers in a public service vehicle according to the registered seating capacity; converting public cars into urban taxis; issuing hire car permits; and the setting up of Transport Tribunals to be chaired by the