ENG-1963 — Page 338

274

COMMUNICATIONS

two. It is reputed to be the steepest funicular railway in the world using a steel wire rope as its sole means of haulage.

Taxis and Hire Cars. The Road Traffic (Taxis and Hire Cars) Regulations, 1960, provide for the registration and licensing of taxis for use specifically on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories. The conditions under which they may be used, and the fares charged, vary with each area. On Hong Kong Island taxis carry three, four or five passengers. Fares vary from $1 to $1.50 for the first mile and 20 cents to 25 cents for every part of a mile thereafter, depending on the seating capacity of the taxi and the type of taximeter in use. The number of taxis at the end of the year was 683, an increase of 52 (eight per cent).

In Kowloon there are small and large taxis for either four or five passengers. The fare charged by all taxis is $1 for the first mile and 20 cents for every quarter mile thereafter. At the end of the year 670 taxis were registered for Kowloon, an increase of 58 (nine per cent) during the year.

There are 546 taxis licensed to operate in the New Territories, an increase of 22 (four per cent) over 1962. They may operate anywhere in the New Territories and may transport passengers to any place in Kowloon. They may pick up passengers in Kowloon at special taxi stands for destinations in the New Territories. 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 may be driven by the hirer, or the licensee may provide a 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 131 hire cars were licensed. They are used mainly by tourists.

Public Omnibuses and Public Cars. Public omnibuses and public cars are licensed under the provisions of the Road Traffic (Public Omnibus and Public Car) Regulations, 1961. Public omnibuses are operated in accordance with a franchise granted by the Governor or the Commissioner of Police, to whom authority has been delegated by the Governor, and are used for transport services