ENG-1990 — Page 291

TRANSPORT

In line with government policy to convert more red PLBs to operate on scheduled routes, more new scheduled routes will be identified. In 1990, two green minibus selection exercises were conducted for competitive bidding by minibus operators.

Taxis

As in previous years, the operation of the taxi trade was reviewed in 1990. Reviews on the quota governing the maximum number of taxis that may be licensed in the urban area, the New Territories and Lantau were also carried out and they concluded that 150 additional new licences should be issued for urban taxis in 1990 whereas the numbers for New Territories and Lantau taxis would remain unchanged. At the end of 1990, there were 14 588 urban taxis, 2 442 New Territories taxis, and 40 Lantau taxis, carrying an average of 1 058 300, 179 400 and 1 100 daily passengers respectively. The urban taxis covered by the 150 new licences start operating in 1991.

In 1990, fare increases ranging from 18 to 22 per cent were approved on all three types of taxis. The urban taxi fare was a $8 flagfall and a $0.9 per metre jump; the New Territories taxi fare was a $7 flagfall and a $0.8 per metre jump; the Lantau taxi fare was a $7 flagfall and a $0.8 per metre jump. During the year, there was no change to the operating boundary of New Territories taxis, though a review was being conducted on the feasibility of allowing New Territories taxis to travel through the newly-opened Shing Mun Tunnel.

Non-franchised Bus Operators

Residents' services were introduced in 1982 to meet the transport needs of relatively isolated residential areas without adequate access to franchised bus services. Residents' organisations may request a non-franchised bus operator to apply for such a service, which is then vetted and authorised under an operator's passenger service licence. Residents' services must operate in accordance with approved schedules of service, which also specify the routing, timetable, stopping places, and, in some cases, the fares. Most of these services operate during peak hours. A licence is normally valid for one year and may be renewed if there is a continuing need for the service.

At the end of the year, there were 53 residents' services carrying 66 000 passenger trips a day. Vehicles used on these services ranged from small 18-seat coaches to double-deck buses. 26 residents' services were introduced during the year providing bus service to various residential centres in the territory including Tsing Yi Island, Tsuen Wan West, Tuen Mun, Ap Lei Chau and the southern part of Hong Kong Island.

Apart from residents' services, non-franchised bus operators also serve the needs of factory employees, tourists and students on a group hire basis. At the end of 1990, the licensed fleet of non-franchised buses totalled 3 824 vehicles, of which 289 were double- deckers and mostly air-conditioned.

Ferries

Ferry services are still an important means of crossing the harbour and essential for travelling to Hong Kong's outlying islands. Ferry travel is provided largely by two franchised operators-Star Ferry Company Limited (SF) and Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HYF).

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