ENG-1998 — Page 309

TRANSPORT

million, 203 778 and 1 370 passengers respectively. With the opening of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok, the operating boundary of New Territories taxis was amended so that the new airport could be served by all three types of taxis.

In August, the Transport Advisory Committee completed its review on the taxi licensing system and recommended measures to further improve the quality of taxi services. These included relaxing individual restricted zones for taxis whenever traffic conditions allow, revising the basic requirements for obtaining a taxi driving license, and banning people convicted of serious offences from driving taxis. The administration is studying the recommendations and will work out implementation plans in consultation with the taxi trade.

Ferries

Ferries are essential for travelling to outlying islands. In the inner harbour, they are a supplementary mode of transport to cross-harbour buses and the MTR. Services are provided largely by two franchised operators the Star Ferry Company Limited

(SF) and the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HKF).

The SF operated 12 vessels across the harbour and carried 81 000 passengers on its three routes daily in 1998. Fares ranged from $1.70 to $2.70. Passengers aged 65 and above enjoyed free travel on all SF services. The company's franchise was renewed on April 1, 1998, and runs until March 31, 2008.

HYF had a licensed fleet of 51 vessels and operated 19 franchised and licensed ferry services. In 1998, the company carried 66 000 passengers daily. Fares ranged from $4.80 to $32. Passengers aged 65 and above enjoyed concessionary fares, set at the same level as children's fares, on all ferry services except the deluxe class.

A further 18 ferry services were operated by 11 licensed operators, including the service to Discovery Bay on Lantau Island. These were supplemented by kaitos, which were local village ferry services licensed to serve remote coastal settlements. At the end of 1998, 84 kaitos were in operation.

Transport Management

Effective transport management is essential for the orderly and safe operation of the transport system. The government's regulatory powers are provided for under the Road Traffic Ordinance. We seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transport management through the use of technology in various areas, which are elaborated in this section.

Licensing

By the end of 1998, Hong Kong had 1 227 497 licensed drivers and 493 310 licensed vehicles, of which 318 137 were licensed private cars and 33 487 new private cars were registered in the year. Registered goods vehicles totalled 132 785 of which 89 608 were light goods vehicles. The average number of new learner-drivers was 4 069 per month. Vehicles are examined to ensure that they are roadworthy and properly maintained. The private car inspection scheme is carried out at 23 designated car-testing centres. Compulsory annual inspection applies to all public service vehicles and goods vehicles. Annual examination was also extended to cover all trailers from March 1, 1998.

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