XN000022-1973-08-15 — Page 5

Wednesday, August 15, 1973

NO NEED TO RUSH FOR TAXI DRIVING LICENCES

The Transport Department today advised would-be taxi drivers that

there was no need to rush in their applications for driving licences.

A spokesman stressed that there was no time limit for the acceptance

of applications for taxi driving licences, and applicants should not waste

time in waiting in long queues.

He gave the advice after large crowds appeared outside the licensing

offices on both sides of the harbour today when applications resumed after a

break of about 10 months.

In Kowloon, the queue at the Pui Ching Road licensing office extended

all the way to the Good Dates Restaurant in Waterloo Road.

The crowd at the licensing offices on the Island was smaller, but

some of the applicants climbed up the counter inside the office in an attempt

to be served first. Three window panes at the counter were broken.

Police had to be called in before order was restored.

The Transport Department stopped accepting applications for taxi

driving licences on October 23 last year because of the long waiting list.

Since then, additional premises have become available in Kowloon

and the backlog was cleared earlier than expected.

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