ENG-1983 — Page 215

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TRANSPORT

In addition to the services operated by the two major ferry companies, 11 minor ferry services are run to isolated communities by seven operators. Supplementary services known as 'kaitos' are also available, mostly in the New Territories, to cater to local rural demand. Both types of service are controlled by licences issued by the Transport Department under the Ferry Services Ordinance. In Victoria Harbour, fleets of motor boats known as 'walla- wallas' are available for hire at public piers, although demand for this service is decreasing due to the introduction of more all-night cross-harbour bus services.

Taxis

Hong Kong is served by three types of taxi: Hong Kong and Kowloon taxis which may operate anywhere in the territory (but primarily serve the urban areas); New Territories taxis which operate only in permitted areas in the New Territories; and Lantau taxis which operate only on Lantau Island. At the end of 1983, 12 500 Hong Kong and Kowloon taxis were registered. New licences continued to be issued by tender at a rate of 100 per month. There were 1 900 New Territories taxis, with 50 new licenses being issued each month, and 20 Lantau taxis.

For Hong Kong and Kowloon, fares are $4.50 for the first two kilometres and 60 cents for each subsequent 267 metres; for the New Territories and Lantau, the first two kilometres cost $3 and 30 cents for each subsequent 200 metres. At the end of 1983, applications for taxi fares revision were being considered. A double charge is applicable for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel toll. A comprehensive review is being carried out on taxis and their role in the present transport system in Hong Kong.

More Economic Use of the Roads

The wide and comprehensive range of public transport services in Hong Kong makes co-ordination for effective services a priority task. The Commissioner for-Transport exercises control over schedules of services, monitors performance standards, undertakes duties relating to the provision of transport-related needs - such as bus terminals, ferry piers and land for depots and meets operators regularly to co-ordinate and further improve services.

Although the total number of registered vehicles dropped slightly during the year, the volume of traffic using the roads was still very substantial. To alleviate congestion, various traffic management measures have been introduced with emphasis on public transport priority and pedestrian safety. On Hong Kong Island, schemes to ease public transport operation came into effect along King's Road, Hennessy Road, Queen's Road East, Gloucester Road, Queen's Road West, and in Central District. Traffic management schemes to improve general traffic circulation in Happy Valley and in Causeway Bay are being prepared. Similar traffic management schemes have been introduced in Jordan Road, Nam Cheong Street, Tai Po Road, Lung Cheung Road and Clear Water Bay Road at the Choi Hung and Ping Shek Estates. In the New Territories, they came into effect in Kwong Fuk Road in Tai Po and Fu Hing Street and Lung Sum Avenue in Shek Wu Hui. These schemes were generally successful and are subject to continued monitoring to ensure they operate satisfactorily and are modified as necessary. Investigations were being made into other problem areas with a view to developing further improvement schemes.

Good progress was maintained on the installation of traffic lights at road intersections and pedestrian crossings, with 550 sets in operation by the end of the year.

Area traffic control (ATC) was introducted in 1977 with the central computer control of 83 junctions in West Kowloon. The system has gradually expanded, and by 1983 there