ENG-2010 — Page 307

Transport 253

Based on the recommendations of the Transport Advisory Committee's review of the licensing and regulatory framework for non-franchised bus operation completed in July 2004, the Government continued to implement measures to improve the regulation of non-franchised bus operation in 2010. The measures aim at co-ordinating changes in non-franchised bus services with demand; strengthening control over non-franchised bus operation; and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement actions.

Public Light Buses

Hong Kong's public light buses (PLBs) are licensed to carry a maximum of 16 passengers. At year-end, there were 4 350 PLBs.

There are two types of PLBs green and red. Green minibuses provide scheduled services with fixed routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables as stipulated by the Transport Department. During the year, there were 3 019 green minibuses operating 353 routes, which recorded a daily average of 1 501 650 passenger trips. Red minibuses are not required to operate on fixed routes or timetables. They may set their own fares but are subject to certain restrictions on their operating areas. There were 1331 red minibuses in operation and they recorded a daily average of 375 410 passenger trips during the year.

To further enhance PLB safe operation, with effect from June 7, 2010, the Transport Department has introduced a licensing condition to require all PLBs to install speed limiters with a maximum speed set at 80 km per hour. The installation is expected to be completed by September 2011.

To strengthen communication among passengers, the trade and the Government, the Transport Department publishes a PLB Newsletter regularly. As regards road safety, five workshops were held for the operators and PLB drivers in 2010 to remind trade members and drivers about the importance of driving safety.

Taxis

At year-end, there were 15 250 red urban taxis, 2 838 green New Territories taxis and 50 blue Lantau taxis in Hong Kong, carrying about one million passengers per day.

To improve the operating environment for taxis, the Transport Department has extended a temporary arrangement, which was first introduced in May 2003, to January 31, 2012. This allows taxis to pick up and set down passengers during peak hours and 7 am-to-7 pm restricted zones on roads with speed limits of less than 70 kilometres per hour. At year-end, there were over 250 designated taxi pick-up/ drop-off points and taxi drop-off points. The department will continue to provide taxi pick-up/drop-off facilities at suitable locations.

The department and the Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee continued to implement schemes to improve the quality of taxi service. These included updating the information on the light emitting diode display panels and providing additional taxi information plates at appropriate taxi stands. 40 000 free copies of every issue of Taxi Newsletters were published and distributed to taxi drivers, and leaflets were