XN000022-1996-12-18 — Page 38

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Shelters at taxi stands

Following is a question by the Hon Choy Kan-pui and a reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is learned that most taxi stands are without shelters except those located at large shopping centres. Given that a considerable number of bus stops are already provided with shelters, will the Government inform this Council whether it will consider providing shelters at those taxi stands where the construction of such shelters is feasible, for the benefit of passengers queuing up for taxis; if so, of the number of taxi stands where the provision of shelters is intended; the expected commencement and completion dates of the projects concerned and the criteria adopted for determining the priority of the construction of shelters at taxi stands?

Reply:

Mr President,

Covered shelters are provided for taxi passengers at many major public transport interchanges and commercial developments where taxi stands are located: For example, the taxi stands at the Edinburgh Place Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Concourse, Macau Ferry Terminal and Kai Tak Airport are all under cover. In the New Territories, covered taxi stands are also available at major transport interchanges and commercial complexes in Sha Tin, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Kwai Fong, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun. Covered taxi stands will also be provided at future transport interchanges such as those at the new airport and new MTR stations along the Airport Railway. We will also take the opportunity to provide cover for existing taxi stands under transport terminus modification projects, for instance, at Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po. In addition, some taxi stand shelters have been funded by District Boards. Many road side taxi stands, particularly those in the urban area, are already protected by buildings, where purpose-built shelters are neither feasible nor necessary. The need for cover is more urgently felt at taxi stands which are exposed and heavily utilized. A number of these stands are in the New Territories. We are drawing up a list of such locations, in order of priority, and preparing a programme for implementation.

End