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The Transport Department announced today (July 26) that the temporary relaxation of peak-hour clearways and 7am - 7pm clearways, on roads with speed limits of less than 70 kilometres per hour for taxis will be extended for a further period of six months to January 31, 2005.

The temporary relaxation was first introduced in May 2003 and was subsequently extended twice to July 31, 2004 to help the taxi business during the recovery of the economy. Since the temporary measure has not caused any major traffic congestion or obstruction on the whole and has helped improve the taxi operating environment, the Government has decided to extend the temporary relaxation for a period of six months from August 1, 2004.

Under this arrangement, taxis will be exempted from the restrictions for picking up and setting down passengers at the no-stopping restricted zones concerned. As with the current arrangement, taxis will be allowed to pick up and set down passengers, but not to wait for passengers at these restricted zones.

"Taxi drivers should continue to exercise self discipline and to observe strictly the 'pick up, drop-off and go' and 'no waiting' rules. If there are violations of traffic rules or obstruction and inconvenience caused to other road users, the Government will consider terminating the temporary relaxation in whole or in part before expiry of the extended period," the spokesman added.

"The Transport Department and the Police will continue to monitor the traffic situation closely and take appropriate enforcement action against taxi queues that pose serious traffic congestion or safety hazards at junctions and on busy roads."

Since the existing restricted zone permits of taxis will expire after July 31, 2004, taxi owners/drivers are required to replace their existing permits with the new ones.

"The Transport Department will set up counters for the issue of new permits at 13 designated LPG refilling stations (see Annex) from July 29, 2004 to July 31, 2004 from noon to 6pm. Taxi owners/drivers are required to bring along their existing permits to the above counters to exchange them for the new permits. Permit replacement services will also be made available at the department's four Licensing Offices from July 29, 2004," the spokesmen added.

Enquiries about the relaxation and arrangements for permit replacement can be directed to the Government Hotline at 1823.

Annex

LPG refilling stations for the issue of new permits

Name of Company: ECO

District: Eastern

Station Address: Junction of Fung Yip Street and On Yip Street, Chai Wan

Name of Company: CRC

District: Central and Western

Station Address: Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan

Name of Company: ECO

District: Wan Chai

Station Address: Marsh Road, Wan Chai

Name of Company: CRC

District: Kwun Tong

Station Address: Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong

Name of Company: CRC

District: Kowloon Bay

Station Address: Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay

Name of Company: ECO

District: Western Kowloon

Station Address: Hau Cheung Street, West Kowloon

Name of Company: ECO

District: Mei Foo

Station Address: Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo

Name of Company: CRC

District: Kwai Chung

Station Address: Junction of Kwai On Road and Kwai Chung Road, Kwai Chung

Name of Company: CRC

District: Tai Po

Station Address: Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po

Name of Company: CRC

District: Yuen Long

Station Address: Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long

Name of Company: ECO

District: Tuen Mun

Station Address: Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun

Name of Company: CRC

District: Ma On Shan

Station Address: Ma On Shan Road, Ma On Shan

Name of Company: CRC

District: Fanling

Station Address: Pak Wo Road near Yat Ming Road, Fanling

Ends/Monday, July 26, 2004

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