XN000022-1979-01-10 — Page 6

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

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PRESENT STATE OF TAXI TRADE

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THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, WHO IS CONVENER OF A WORKING GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MATTERS, SAID THE PROPOSED PACKAGE OF REFORMS OF THE TAXI TRADE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED NOT BECAUSE IT WAS BEYOND CRITICISM OR CERTAIN TO BE EFFECTIVE, BUT BECAUSE THE PRESENT STATE OF THE TAXI TRADE WAS AS THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SAID, +CHAOTIC+,

SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACCEPT SOME BLAME FOR ALLOWING THE SITUATION TO DETERIORATE TO THE PRESENT EXTENT, AND, UNLESS POSITIVE REMEDIAL STEPS WERE TAKEN URGENTLY, HONG KONG'S STANDING AS A MODERN, INTERNATIONAL CITY WOULD BE TARNISHED.

MISS DUNN WAS SPEAKING ON THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1978 WHICH INTRODUCED STIFFER SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES AGAINST MALPRACTICES BY TAXI-DRIVERS.

THE OTHER TWO MEASURES IN THE PACKAGE ARE CONCERNED WITH FARES AND THE ISSUE OF LICENCES. SIX OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE HON, JAMES WU, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE HON. S.L. CHEN, THE HON. PETER C. WONG, THE HON. WONG LAM AND THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG ALSO SPOKE ON THE BILL.

MISS DUNN SAID ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PACKAGE WOULD DEPEND ON THE VIGILANCE OF THE POLICE, THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC IN REPORTING MALPRACTICES AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE TAXI OPERATORS THEMSELVES.

SHE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE TRADE TO ENSURE A REALLY EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE.

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AND AS THE OBJECTIVES CANNOT BE ASSURED IN ADVANCE. THE PROPOSED REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PACKAGE IN NINE MONTHS WAS GREATLY SIGNIFICANT AND SHOULD BE WELL-FOUNDED ON FACTS. NECESSARY MACHINERY TO COLLECT THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY WHEN THE BILL BECAME EFFECTIVE.

COMMENTING ON THE REACTION OF TAXI-USERS TO THE BILL, MISS DUNN SAID IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLY DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE HIGH TENDER PRICES FOR TAXI LICENCES WITH THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASE.

YET IT WAS NOT ALTOGETHER LOGICAL TO TAKE THE LEVEL OF TENDER PRICES AS AN INDICATION OF PROFITABILITY BECAUSE THE PRICE WAS A ONE-OFF PAYMENT FOR A LIFE-LONG INVESTMENT IN A TRADE.

SHE WAS NOT ALTOGETHER CONVINCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAT +ANY FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE EVEN GREATER DRAWBACKS+.

/AS TO.....