XN000022-1982-09-17 — Page 8

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1982

BILL PROPOSING TAXI SERVICES FOR LANTAU

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A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE TAXIS ON LANTAU ISLAND UNDER A ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY,

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PROPOSED TAXI SERVICE WOULD ADD A NEW FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE EXISTING RANGE OF TRANSPORT FACILITIES ON LANTAU AND WOULD BE WELCOMED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL REGISTER 20 TAXIS INITIALLY AND WILL REVIEW THIS NUMBER AFTER SIX MONTHS.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THEY WILL CHARGE THE SAME FARES AS NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS ALTHOUGH THEY WILL HAVE THEIR OWN DISTINGUISHING LIVERY AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE ELSEWHERE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TENDERS FOR THE RIGHT TO REGISTER THESE TAXIS WILL BE INVITED IF THE BILL IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE ADDED.

RATES FOR AGRICULTURAL AND BUILDING LAND

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED THE LATEST +FULL RATE+ EX GRATIA PAYMENTS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND BUILDING LAND IN THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE RATES, EFFECTIVE FROM OCTOBER 1, ARE $48 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND AND $90 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR BUILDING LAND.

THE RATES APPLICABLE TO LAND OUTSIDE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WILL BE THE APPROPRIATE PERCENTAGES OF THE FULL RATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EX GRATIA PAYMENT ZONING PLANS.

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