XN000022-1982-10-05 — Page 2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1982

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NEW TAXI FARES

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THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED INCREASES IN TAXI FARES OF 12.5 PER CENT FOR URBAN TAXIS AND 25 PER CENT FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS.

THESE INCREASES, WHICH ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THOSE PROPOSED BY THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS, WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE SHOULD BE INTRODUCED ON OCTOBER 31.

AT THE SAME TIME PROVISION WILL BE MADE FOR A REDUCTION IN FARES FOR TRIPS THROUGH THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SEVERAL TAXI ASSOCIATIONS HAD APPLIED FOR HIGHER FARES TO MEET AN INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS SINCE FARES WERE LAST RAISED TWO YEARS AGO.

IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE APPLICATIONS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF THE TAXI TRADE. THE LEVEL OF FARES PROPOSED BY THE OPERATORS WAS FOUND NOT TO BE JUSTIFIED AND MORE MODEST INCREASES HAVE BEEN APPROVED WITH A VIEW TO RESTORING THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF TAXI OPERATIONS TO THAT OF EARLY 1981.

FOR URBAN TAXIS THE NEW FARES WILL BE $4.50 FOR THE FIRST 2 KILOMETRES (AT PRESENT $4.00), 90 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.4 KILOMETRE THEREAFTER (AT PRESENT 50 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.25 KILOMETRE THEREAFTER) AND 90 CENTS FOR EVERY 3 MINUTES OF WAITING TIME (AT PRESENT 50 CENTS FOR EVERY 2 MINUTES OF WAITING TIME).

FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS THE NEW FARES WILL BE $3.00 FOR THE FIRST 2 KILOMETRES (AT PRESENT $2.40), 30 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.2 KILOMETRE THEREAFTER (AT PRESENT 30 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.25 KILOMETRE) AND 30 CENTS FOR EVERY 1.5 MINUTES OF WAITING TIME (AT PRESENT 30 CENTS FOR EVERY 2 MINUTES OF WAITING TIME).

THE EXISTING CHARGE OF 50 CENTS FOR EACH PIECE OF HEAVY LUGGAGE CARRIED WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

UNDER EXISTING REGULATIONS, TAXI DRIVERS MAY CHARGE TWICE THE APPROPRIATE TOLL FOR TRIPS THROUGH A TOLL TUNNEL, TO COVER THE EXTRA EXPENSE OF RETURNING TO THE IR BASE WITHOUT A FARE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD HAD ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER WHETHER THIS ARRANGEMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY IN RESPECT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, AS TAXI DRIVERS APPEARED TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP ANOTHER FARE AT EITHER END OF THE TUNNEL. AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE DOUBLE TOLL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.

/THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL