ENG-1992 — Page 268

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TRANSPORT

August 31, 1993. Citybus Limited was awarded the franchise in September 1992 for these 26 routes to commence service on September 1, 1993 for a period of three years.

Minibuses

Hong Kong's minibuses are licensed to carry a maximum of 16 seated passengers. There were 6 900 minibuses in 1992. Of these, 4 350 were public light buses (PLB), and 2 550 private light buses. The PLBs are authorised to carry passengers at separate fares. The private light buses are authorised only to carry group passengers and the collection of separate fares is not permitted.

The operation of PLBs is regulated by a passenger service licence. There are two types of PLBs. Those in green livery provide services according to official schedules. In 1992, there were 1 468 of them operating on 214 approved routes, each with fixed fares and timetables. They carried 705 000 passengers a day. Red PLBs operate without a schedule. They do not have fixed routes, timetables and fares. In 1992, there were about 2 868 red PLBs which carried 1 016 000 passengers daily.

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In line with government policy to convert more red PLBs to operate on scheduled routes, more new scheduled routes will be identified. In 1992, one green minibus selection exercise was conducted for application by minibus operators.

Taxis

The quota governing the maximum number of taxis that may be licensed in the urban area, the New Territories and Lantau, was reviewed in late 1991. During the year, no new licences for urban taxis were issued. At the end of 1992, there were 14 949 urban taxis, 2 731 New Territories taxis, and 40 Lantau taxis, carrying an average of 1 077 100, 188 500 and 1 050 daily passengers respectively.

The operating boundary of New Territories taxis was revised in 1992 to enable them to ply between the north-east and north-west New Territories via the Shing Mun Tunnels.

During the year, a working group was set up by the Transport Advisory Committee to review the government's policies on taxis. A public consultation exercise was launched by the Transport Advisory Committee in October 1992 to seek public views on various measures identified by the working group for the improvement of taxi services.

Non-Franchised Bus Operators

Residents' services were introduced in 1982 to give commuters an added choice. These services operate primarily during peak hours, supplementing services provided by the franchised bus operators. This helps keep down the number of franchised buses that would otherwise be left idle during off peak hours. Residents' organisations may request a non-franchised bus operator to apply for such a service, which requires a passenger service licence. Residents' services operate in accordance with approved schedules of service, which specify the routing, timetable and stopping places. 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 79 residents' services running 70 000 passenger trips a day. Vehicles used on these services ranged from small coaches to double-deck buses. Sixteen residents' services were introduced during the year providing bus services from various residential areas mainly in the New Territories, the mid-levels and the southern part of Hong Kong Island.