XN000022-1989-07-11 — Page 12

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1989

11

TAC REVIEWS TAXI MALPRACTICE SITUATION

THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY REVIEWED THE PRESENT SITUATION OF TAXI MALPRACTICES DESIRABILITY OF PROVIDING CROSS HARBOUR TAXI STANDS.

MEMBERS NOTED THAT A SERIES OF MEASURES HAD BEEN TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF TAXI MALPRACTICES. THEY INCLUDED:

* INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR FROM $3,000 TO $5,000;

TAXI MALPRACTICE

(TUESDAY)

AND THE

TAKEN ΤΟ

OFFENCES

* REVISING THE TAXI DRIVING LICENCE WRITTEN TEST TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF TAXI REGULATIONS AND LOCATIONS;

* PUBLICATION OF A "GUIDE TO TAXI SERVICE" TO HELP BOTH TAXI DRIVERS AND THE PUBLIC TO BE BETTER AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES;

* SPECIFYING THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND POSITION FOR FARE TABLES DISPLAYED INSIDE TAXIS;

* REQUIRING TAXI DRIVERS TO DISPLAY AT IDENTIFICATION PLATES INSIDE TAXIS WHILST ON DUTY; AND

ALL TIMES

* EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING FINES ON REPEATED OFFENDERS.

ON THE SUGGESTION TO PROVIDE CROSS HARBOUR TAXI TAC WOULD STUDY THE ISSUE FURTHER AFTER THE OPENING OF HARBOUR CROSSING.

STANDS, THE THE EASTERN

THE PROVISION OF CROSS HARBOUR TAXI STANDS WOULD ALLOW TAXI OPERATORS TO REFUSE HIRE EXCEPT FOR JOURNEYS ACROSS THE HARBOUR AND THE DESIGNATION OF FIXED TAXI ROUTES WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE ROLE OF TAXIS IN PROVIDING A DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE.

THE TAC ALSO NOTED THAT THE SETTING UP OF SUCH STANDS WOULD ENCOURAGE TAXIS TO CONCENTRATE ON CERTAIN ROUTES THUS ADDING TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREAS CONCERNED WHILE DEPLETING THE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICES IN OTHER AREAS.

AT

THERE WOULD ALSO BE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS DESIGNATED

POPULAR LOCATIONS MIGHT NOT BE ACCOMMODATE ALL CROSS HARBOUR TAXIS, LEADING ENLARGEMENT AND OTHER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.

AS TAXI STANDS LARGE

ΤΟ ENOUGH то DEMANDS FOR

THE TAC WAS ALSO BRIEFED VARIOUS MEASURES TO TIGHTEN

UP

ON THE CONTROL

PRESENT ON LIGHT

POSITION OF THE GOODS VEHICLES

(LGV'S).

/MEMBERS NOTED