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TAC recommends extending permitted area for Lantau taxis
At its meeting today (Tuesday), the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) endorsed a proposal to extend the permitted area for the operation of Lantau taxis to serve the whole of Lantau Island and the whole of Chek Lap Kok Island.
The revision will provide a direct taxi service between Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok Island. At present, the permitted area for Lantau taxis is the island of Lantau; but there is no road access to North Lantau or Chek Lap Kok Island.
In making its recommendation, TAC members had taken into account the development of North Lantau, the opening of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and the population intake into the Tung Chung New Town which will commence in mid-1997.
In addition, factors such as the effects of the proposal on the level of taxi service, the capacity of Tung Chung Road, and the acceptability of the proposal to the taxi trade and to the residents of the Lantau Island had also been considered.
TAC members believed that the recommendation would be welcomed by the Lantau taxi operators and Lantau residents. It should also be acceptable to the public.
Lantau taxis were introduced in December 1982 to operate on all roads on Lantau Island except Ngong Ping Road for safety reasons. The prohibition was lifted in 1993 when Ngong Ping Road was improved. The number of Lantau taxis was increased from 20 in 1982 to 40 in late 1984. Since then, there has been no further increase in their numbers.
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TAC discussed report of TAC Working Group on PLB policy review
At the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting of today (Tuesday), members discussed a draft final report of the Committee's Working Group on Public Light Bus (PLB) Policy Review.
The Working Group, which was formed in September 1995, has put forward a number of recommendations, including some measures to improve PLB services.