XN000022-1992-09-16 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1992

MR SUEN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE OLA WOULD OFFER ASSISTANCE TO HOTEL MANAGEMENTS ON A REASONABLE MODIFICATION WORK SCHEDULE AND DISCUSS WITH THEM ABOUT THE ACCEPTABILITY OF SIMILAR SAFETY SYSTEMS.

FINALLY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS APPEALED FOR FULL CO- OPERATION FROM THE INDUSTRY TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE FOR THE SAKE OF PROTECTING THE LIFE AND PROPERTY

OF THEIR GUESTS AND STAFF.

"THIS WILL HELP ENHANCE HONG KONG'S GOOD REPUTATION IN THE

TOURISM INDUSTRY, HE ADDED.

INTERNATIONAL

LANTAU TAXIS TO INCREASE FARE

IN

IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN AVERAGE METER CHARGES FOR LANTAU TAXIS ΤΟ

INCREASE OF

MEET RISING

THE GOVERNOR 21.7 PER CENT OPERATING COSTS.

YEAR.

THE NEW FARE WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 8 (SUNDAY) THIS

UPON REVISION, THE FLAGFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES WILL GO UP FROM $7 TO $8 AND THE SUBSEQUENT FARE FROM $0.80/0.25 KILOMETRE TO $0.80/0.2 KILOMETRE. BAGGAGE AND RADIO-CALL SERVICE SURCHARGES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $3.

THE

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IN DETERMINING NEW FARE SCALE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE INCREASED OPERATING COSTS SINCE THE LAST FARE REVISION, THE POLICY OF MAINTAINING A REASONABLE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN TAXIS AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES, AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICE, HAVING REGARD TO AVAILABILITY OF TAXIS AND PASSENGER WAITING TIME.

HE POINTED OUT THAT METER CHARGES FOR LANTAU TAXIS WOULD HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR ABOUT 29 MONTHS BY NOVEMBER 1992 SINCE THEIR LAST REVISION IN JUNE 1990.

"THE APPROVED RATE OF INCREASE IS LOWER THAN THAT DEMANDED BY THE TRADE AND IS ABOUT FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE CUMULATIVE INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS WHICH IS EXPECTED TO REACH 26 PER CENT WHEN THE NEW FARES BECOME EFFECTIVE IN NOVEMBER, HE SAID.

"

THE NEW FARE SCALE ALSO TAKES INTO ACCOUNT RESULTS OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S SURVEYS WHICH SHOWED THAT THE MONTHLY NET INCOME OF THE LANTAU TAXI TRADE IN 1992 HAD, IN REAL TERMS, BEEN REDUCED TO A LEVEL SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THAT OF JUNE 1990.

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