240
TRANSPORT
The number of new private cars registered fell from 41 878 in 1992 to 41 480 in 1993, a decrease of 0.95 per cent. Despite the use of financial restraint measures— which included increasing the first registration tax of new private cars from a range of 80–100 per cent to 90-120 per cent of the cars' Cost Insurance Freightage values in March 1991 the total number of licensed cars in December was 259 874, a growth of 9.64 per cent over the past
year.
Registered goods vehicles increased to 143 805 in December, up by 2.36 per cent compared with the 140 491 goods vehicles of a year earlier. Included in these were 106 068 light goods vehicles, which increased by 0.44 per cent from 1992. In line with the policy to restrain the ownership and use of this class of vehicles, the first registration tax and annual licensing fees of van-type light goods vehicles were increased in 1991 by 50 per cent and 90 per cent, or $4,140 and $2,115, respectively. This has had the effect of reducing the number of light goods vehicles, but slightly increasing the number of medium goods vehicles. At the year's end, the number of licensed light goods vehicles stood at 86 709, a decrease of 1.95 per cent from the same period in 1992. Meanwhile, the number of medium goods vehicles increased by 7.93 per cent to 32 386 by end-1993.
There were 1 008 270 licensed drivers at the year's end, an increase of 4.89 per cent from 1992. The average number of new learner-drivers increased from 6 164 per month in 1992 to 6 541 per month in 1993.
Since the introduction of the Driving Offence Points System in August 1984, 22 076 drivers have been disqualified. A total of 242 718 warning notices have been served and 380 757 drivers have incurred penalty points for committing offences scheduled under the Road Traffic (Driving Offence Points) Ordinance. The figures for 1993 were 5 158, 41 767 and 25 737, respectively.
A performance pledge scheme for the services provided by the Transport Department in the issue of learner and full driving licences, and registration and licensing of vehicles was introduced in December 1992. Plans are in hand to extend the scheme to other licensing and vehicle examination services. Two customer liaison groups, covering the licensing services on Hong Kong Island, and in Kowloon and the New Territories, were formed in September to gauge customers' opinions on services provided and improvements desired. A Best Licensing Service Award Scheme was launched in June and 10 licensing staff were given awards.
Vehicle Examination
Vehicle examination activities continued to expand, through the efforts of examination centres operated by the government or its contractors, and the private sector.
Two lanes of computer-controlled equipment were put into full operation in September at the Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre for urban taxi inspections. A taximeter test machine was also installed in August at the Sheung Kwai Chung Vehicle Examination Centre for New Territories taxis.
With effect from June, it became necessary for all light goods vehicles to pass a roadworthiness inspection every year, before they can be relicensed. Medium and heavy goods vehicles manufactured before 1989 also require annual inspection. It is planned that all goods vehicles should be inspected annually by the end of 1994.
Private cars over six years old are also required to pass an inspection before relicensing. The private car inspection scheme was operated at 24 designated car testing centres. From