XN000022-1993-03-23 — Page 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1993

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EXTENDED TRANSPORT CONCESSIONS TO DISABLED DRIVERS

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THE SCOPE OF TRANSPORT-RELATED CONCESSIONS TO DISABLED DRIVERS WILL BE EXTENDED FROM APRIL 1.

ANNOUNCING THE EXTENSION OF THE SCHEME TODAY (TUESDAY), ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ERNEST LEE, SAID THE SCHEME WOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER DISABLED MOTOR CYCLISTS AND MOTOR TRICYCLISTS.

"IN ADDITION, ALL DISABLED DRIVERS WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING TOLLS WHEN USING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS," HE ADDED.

THE NEW MEASURES UNDER THE EXTENDED SCHEME WERE ANNOUNCED IN THE 1993/94 BUDGET DELIVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON MARCH 3.

UNDER THE EXISTING SCHEME, DISABLED DRIVERS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF CERTAIN TRANSPORT-RELATED FEES AND DUTIES CHARGED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THESE INCLUDE LEARNER'S DRIVING LICENCE FEE, FULL DRIVING LICENCE FEE, DRIVING TEST FEE, FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON PRIVATE CAR WITH A TAXABLE VALUE NOT EXCEEDING $60,000, VEHICLE LICENCE FEE, TRANSFER FEE ON SECOND-HAND CARS, PARKING METER CHARGES, DUTY ON HYDROCARBON OIL WITH A LIMIT OF 200 LITRES PER MONTH AND PASSAGE OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.

TAX

MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE EXTENDED SCHEME, DISABLED DRIVERS OF MOTOR CYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES WOULD ALSO ENJOY THESE EXEMPTIONS WITH SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS TO THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, VEHICLE LICENCE FEE AND DUTY ON HYDROCARBON OIL.

THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX OF A SELF-DRIVEN MOTOR CYCLE OR MOTOR TRICYCLE OWNED BY A DISABLED PERSON WILL BE WAIVED, REGARDLESS OF THE TAXABLE VALUE.

THE

VEHICLE LICENCE FEE PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF ANY MOTOR CYCLE OR MOTOR TRICYCLE IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF ITS ENGINE CYLINDER CAPACITY. HENCE THERE IS NO NEED TO DRAW REFERENCE TO ENGINE CYLINDER CAPACITY AS IN THE CASE OF PRIVATE CARS.

AS REGARDS DUTY ON HYDROCARBON OIL, THE EXEMPTION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A LIMIT OF 100 LITRES PER MONTH IN RESPECT OF EACH DISABLED MOTOR CYCLIST OR MOTOR TRICYCLIST.

MR LEE ADDED THAT ALSO FROM APRIL 1, ALL DISABLED DRIVERS WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING TOLLS WHEN USING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS.

BE UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, UP TO 70 TICKETS PER MONTH WOULD ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE, UPON APPLICATION, TO A DISABLED DRIVER WHO SHOULD PRODUCE THE TICKETS TO THE TOLLS COLLECTOR

USING WHEN GOVERNMENT TUNNELS. THE TICKETS ARE UNIQUELY DESIGNED FOR EXCLUSIVE USE BY DISABLED DRIVERS ONLY.

THE TICKETS