ENG-1962 — Page 296

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PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

taxis in Kowloon is $1 for the first mile and 20 cents for every quarter mile thereafter. The number of taxis in Kowloon increased to 612 during the year. There are 524 taxis licensed to operate in the New Territories. They may operate anywhere in the New Territories and may transport passengers to any place in Kowloon. They may pick up passengers in Kowloon for destina- tions in the New Territories but only at taxi stands reserved for their use in Kowloon. They may not operate internally in Kowloon. Fares for New Territories taxis carrying up to four passengers are 80 cents for the first mile and 20 cents for every quarter mile thereafter. For taxis carrying five to nine passengers the fare is $1 for the first mile and 25 cents for every quarter mile thereafter.

Hire cars are also licensed under the provisions of the Road Traffic (Taxis and Hire Cars) Regulations, 1960. These vehicles can be hired by members of the public for carriage of persons or goods. They may be driven by the hirer, provided he or she holds a valid driving licence to drive a private car, or the licensee may provide a properly qualified driver. No scale of fees is laid down by law for the hire of these cars and amounts charged vary in accordance with the type of car, period of hire and whether or not a driver is provided. At the end of the year 120 hire cars were licensed. They are used mainly by tourists. Public cars are operated in accordance with a franchise granted by the Governor and are used for transport services excluded from the monopolies of the major bus companies. At the end of the year there were 91 licensed public cars. They are used mainly by tourists on sightseeing tours, by hotel managements who provide transport for their guests, and for the carriage of passengers and employees between the airport and hotels, airline offices and ferry termini.

In April the taxi companies were advised by the police traffic office that vehicles licensed to carry four passengers could have this capacity extended to five provided the gear lever and taxi- meter allowed sufficient room on the front seat for an additional passenger. The first of such vehicles were licensed in April, and by the end of the year there were 227 five-seater taxis operating in Hong Kong, 152 in Kowloon and 40 in the New Territories.