XN000022-1983-05-20 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1983

DETAILS OF ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE COURSE AND THE COURSE SYLLABUS AND CONTENTS, WILL BE FINALISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES AND HIS STAFF WHO WILL WORK IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE AND LOCAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS,

THE EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COST $8.8 MILLION OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

THE ADVISORY BOARD WILL EVALUATE THE COURSE RESULTS AND ITS USEFULNESS BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE ON WHETHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH TRAINING IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE MADE PERMANENT.

FARE REVISION STILL PREFERRED

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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MAY 20) REITERATED ITS INCLINATION FOR A GENERAL FARE REVISION FOR URBAN TAXIS RATHER THAN IMPOSING A 50-CENT SURCHARGE PER TRIP TO COVER THE INCREASE

IN FUEL DUTY.

SPEAKING AT A MEETING WITH URBAN TAXI OPERATORS THIS AFTERNOON, MR PANG HAU-CHUNG, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OPERATORS' SURCHARGE PROPOSAL.

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE OPERATORS COULD STILL SUBMIT A FARE INCREASE APPLICATION IF THEY CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY.

TODAY'S MEETING WAS ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S REGULAR CONSULTATIONS HELD QUARTERLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF NINE URBAN TAXI UNIONS ON MATTERS. AFFECTING THE TRADE.

OTHER SUBJECTS BROUGHT UP IN THE MEETING INCLUDED URBAN CLEARWAYS, TAXI STAND PROVISION AND THE ISSUE OF NEW TAXI LICENCES.

MR PANG EXPLAINED THAT URBAN CLEARWAYS WERE INTENDED TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF ROAD CAPACITY AND ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED TRAFFIC FLOW.

+HOWEVER, THE PURPOSE WOULD BE DEFEATED IF ANY VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES IS ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, HE SAID.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE NEW TAXI STANDS AT JORDAN, PRINCE EDWARD, SHEK KIP MEI AND KOWLOON BAY MTR STATIONS SHORTLY.

AS TO THE ISSUE OF NEW TAXI LICENCES, MR PANG NOTED THAT THE POLICY WAS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL WHO HAD CONSIDERED ALL RELEVEANT FACTORS.

AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT ISSUES 300 NEW URBAN TAXI LICENCES EVERY QUARTER. THIS WILL BE CONTINUED UNTIL THE NUMBER OF TAXIS REACHES THE 15 000 MARK.

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