XN000022-1989-06-02 — Page 17

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TAXI TENDER DEPOSIT DOUBLED

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FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989

THE DEPOSIT FOR

TENDERING A TAXI LICENCE WILL BE DOUBLED FROM $25,000 TO $50,000. THE AIM IS TO DISCOURAGE TENDERERS WHO ARE NOT GENUINE TAXI OPERATORS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY

(FRIDAY).

THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC).

HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTION ON THE TRANSFER OF NEWLY ISSUED LICENCES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD UNREASONABLY PUSHED UP THE LICENCE PRICE то THE EXTENT THAT GENUINE TAXI OPERATORS WERE PREVENTED FROM OBTAINING THE LICENCES AND ENTERING THE TAXI TRADE.

THERE WAS NO MONOPOLY IN THE HOLDING OF TAXI LICENCES, WHICH WERE READILY AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET. NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE EXISTING URBAN TAXI LICENCES WERE HELD BY INDIVIDUALS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM WAS AN INVESTMENT WHICH A TAXI OPERATOR HAD TO MAKE IN ENTERING THE TRADE.

THE PREMIUM LEVEL HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ASSESSING TAXI FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS AND WOULD NOT THEREFORE AFFECT THE TAXI FARE, HE ADDED.

EXTENSION OF PARKING METER OPERATION IN NORTH POINT

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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE 11 IN NORTH POINT ROAD WILL ALSO OPERATE ON SUNDAYS AND FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4).

PARKING METERS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

THESE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. AND FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON WEEKDAYS. THE PARKING CHARGE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $1 FOR 30 MINUTES.