TRANSPORT
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expected to shorten bus journey times, rendering their services more reliable and attracting more commuters to use buses instead of private cars, which will in turn alleviate traffic congestion.
Minibuses
Hong Kong's minibuses are licensed to carry a maximum of 16 seated passengers. There were 6831 minibuses in 1996. Of these, 4 350 were public light buses (PLB), and 2 481 private light buses. Private light buses are authorised only to carry group passengers and may not collect separate fares.
There are two types of PLBs: 'green' and 'red' minibuses whose roofs are coloured accordingly. Their operation is regulated by a passenger service licence.
Green minibuses provide services according to specified schedules of service which define the routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables. There were 1 951 of these operating 274 routes and carrying 88 000 passengers a day in 1996.
Red minibuses operate without specified schedules. They are not required to operate on fixed routes or timetables and are free to set fares. In 1996, 2 399 red minibuses carried about 87 000 passengers daily.
In line with government policy to convert red minibuses to green, more new scheduled routes will be identified. During the year, a green minibus selection exercise was conducted and minibus operators were selected to operate a total of 17 routes.
In September 1995, the Transport Advisory Committee formed a working group to carry out a review on PLB policy with particular regard to the role, regulation and control of green and red minibuses. The review will be completed in early 1997.
Taxis
At the end of 1996, there were 15 249 urban taxis (coloured red), 2837 New Territories taxis (green) and 40 Lantau taxis (blue), carrying a daily average of 1.1 million, 192 000 and 1 090 passengers respectively.
In April 1994, the Executive Council accepted the Transport Advisory Committee's recommendations to improve the taxi licensing system, fare structure and quality of service. These recommendations were implemented in stages from 1994 to 1996.
To improve taxi services, the government is amending the regulation to require taxi drivers to issue fare receipts to passengers on demand. It is hoped that the requirement can come into effect in 1997.
Non-Franchised Buses
Residents' bus services were introduced in 1982 to give commuters an additional choice of transport modes. Residents' organisations may invite non-franchised bus operators to operate such services under passenger service licences issued by the Transport Department. These services operate in accordance with approved routing, timetable and stopping places; and operate mainly to and from housing estates primarily during peak hours, supplementing services provided by the franchised bus operators. At the end of the year, there were 184 residents' bus services undertaking 94 000 passenger-trips a day and 51 new services were introduced during the year.
Non-franchised bus operators also serve the needs of factory employees, tourists and students on a group-hire basis. At the end of 1996, the licensed fleet of non-