TRANSPORT
operating on 230 approved routes, each with fixed fares and timetables. They carried 728 000 passengers a day. Red PLBs operate without a schedule. They do not have fixed routes, timetables and fares. In 1993, there were about 2 709 red PLBs, which carried about 1 007 000 passengers daily.
In line with government policy to convert more red PLBs to operate on scheduled routes, more new scheduled routes will be identified. During the year, one green minibus selection exercise, with 16 routes requiring 80 minibuses, was conducted, for competitive bidding by minibus operators.
Taxis
At the end of 1993, there were 14 950 urban taxis, 2 738 New Territories taxis and 40 Lantau taxis, carrying, respectively, an average of 1 085 000, 192 000 and 1 070 passengers daily.
A Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) working group continued its review of the government's policies on taxis. An exercise launched by the TAC in 1992 to seek public views on various measures, identified by the working group, for improvement of taxi services was completed during the year. The working group is formulating recom- mendations for the consideration of the TAC.
Non-Franchised Bus Operators
Residents' coach services were introduced in 1982 to give commuters an extra choice. These services operate primarily during peak hours, supplementing services provided by the franchised bus operators. They are flexible, to respond to local market demands. This helps keep down the number of franchised buses that would otherwise be left idle during off-peak hours. Residents' organisations may invite a non-franchised bus operator to operate such a service under a passenger service licence issued by the Transport Department. Residents' services operate in accordance with approved schedules, which specify the routing, timetable, and stopping places.
At the end of the year, there were 91 residents' services running 85 000 passenger trips a day. Vehicles used on these services ranged from small coaches to double-decker buses. Thirteen residents' services were introduced during the year, providing bus services from various residential areas, mainly in the New Territories, the Mid-Levels and the southern part of Hong Kong Island.
Non-franchised bus operators also serve the needs of factory employees, tourists and students on a group hire basis.
At the end of 1993, the licensed fleet of non-franchised buses totalled 4 098 vehicles, of which 219 were double-deckers. An increasing proportion of these vehicles were air-conditioned.
Ferries
Ferries are essential for travelling to Hong Kong's outlying islands and provide an important link to the new towns in the northwest New Territories. In the inner harbour, they are a supplementary mode of transport to cross-harbour buses and the Mass Transit Railway. Existing services are provided largely by two franchised operators — the 'Star' Ferry Company Limited and the Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HYF).
245