ENG-2014 — Page 264

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Transport

There are two types of PLBs

green and red. Green PLBs provide scheduled services with fixed routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables as stipulated by the Transport Department. At year-end, there were 3,142 green PLBS operating 346 routes, which recorded a daily average of 1,507,800 passenger trips. Red PLBS are not required to operate on fixed routes or timetables and may set their own fares but are subject to certain restrictions on their operating areas. There were 1,207 red PLBs in operation at year-end, recording a daily average of 349,000 passenger trips.

To further enhance PLBs' safety and quality of service, with effect from 1 December 2014 newly registered PLBs are required by law to have approved electronic data recording devices installed. From 1 June 2015, applicants for PLB driving licences must also complete a pre-service

course.

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. There were about 750 taxi stands and designated taxi pick-up/drop-off points.

The Transport Department and the Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee implement schemes to improve the quality of taxi service and an annual Quality Taxi Drivers Commendation Scheme is held to give due recognition to good taxi drivers.

Private cars

At year-end, there were 495,038 licensed private cars, of which 46,636 were new vehicles registered during 2014.

Road Transport Management

Effective transport management is essential for the orderly and safe operation of the transport system. Modern technology is used in a variety of ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transport management.

Licensing

At year-end, there were 2,082,274 licensed drivers, 693,251 licensed private vehicles and 6,289 government vehicles. Of the 113,415 licensed goods vehicles, 71,712 were light goods vehicles, 36,630 medium goods vehicles and 5,073 heavy goods vehicles. On average, 4,960 new learners' driving licences were issued per month.

Driver Improvement Scheme

The Road Traffic Ordinance and the Road Traffic (Driving-offence Points) Ordinance require offenders who have been convicted of serious traffic offences and traffic offenders who have accumulated 10 Driving Offence Points within two years to attend a driving improvement course provided by a designated driving school. The courses are also open to the general public. From September 2002 to December 2014 about 123,000 drivers attended the course, including 97,000 drivers who were required to attend the course on a mandatory basis. About

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