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Trial scheme for cross-harbour taxi stands
The Governor-in-Council today (Tuesday) approved that a trial scheme for cross-harbour taxi stands be introduced.
A Government spokesman said: "Under the scheme, two cross-harbour taxi stands will be set up on each side of the Cross Harbour Tunnel,
"They will be at Harbour Road near China Resources Building and Paterson Street on Hong Kong side, and San Wai Street in To Kwa Wan and Observatory Road near Chatham Road South on Kowloon side. The trial scheme is expected to commence on July 30, 1995 and would last for six months."
The spokesman said designating proper cross-harbour taxi stands at or near the existing unofficial stands would legitimise an established but unregulated practice.
Taxi drivers waiting to return to the other side of the harbour could pick up passengers for the return trip at proper cross-harbour taxi stands. Passengers would benefit by having to pay a single, instead of a double, tunnel toll for a cross-harbour trip departing from the cross-harbour taxi stands.
"The law will be amended to permit taxi drivers waiting at cross-harbour taxi stands to refuse hire for non cross-harbour journeys. However, this will be the only exception to the general obligation of taxi drivers to accept hire to any destination in their permitted area of trade.
"Outside the designated taxi stands, refusal to accept hire, whether or not across the harbour, will continue to be an offence, and the Police will step up enforcement during the trial period," he said.
The Transport Department will, in consultation with the Police, the Transport Complaints Unit and the taxi trade, monitor the scheme and assess the utilisation of the stands, traffic implications, public complaints about taxi malpractice at or near the stands, and complaints about refusing hire for cross-harbour trips in general.
A review will be conducted and the District Boards, the Transport Advisory Committee, as well as the Legislative Council Transport Panel will be consulted as
necessary.
End/Tuesday, June 6, 1995
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