LCQ7: Short-term parking measures for convenience of taxi drivers
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Question:
It is learnt that there is a lack of parking spaces which can be used by taxis for legal short-term parking near most public toilets and at most public transport interchanges (PTIs) in Hong Kong, and quite a number of toilets at PTIs are only for the exclusive use of bus or minibus drivers, resulting in on-duty taxi drivers having to run the risk of receiving a penalty ticket for going to the toilet to answer an urgent call of nature, as well as some taxi drivers suffering from various health problems arising from holding their urine or deliberately drinking less water for a prolonged period. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the current number of public toilets with parking spaces nearby which can be used by taxis for legal short-term parking; whether it will consider providing more parking spaces of this kind at existing and newly built public toilets, and making good use of technology to ensure that such parking spaces will not be abused;
(2) of the current number of toilets at PTIs and, among them, the number of those which are only for the use of specific persons such as bus or minibus drivers; whether it will consider opening up such exclusive toilets for taxi drivers to use, and providing more short-term parking spaces which can be used by taxis at existing and newly built PTIs; and
(3) as it is learnt that the authorities are planning to adjust the amount of the fixed penalty for illegal parking, whether the relevant government departments will take into account the difficulties and needs of taxi drivers with regard to parking for the purpose of going to the toilets when enforcing the law?
Reply:
President,
After consulting the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Transport Department (TD), our reply to the Hon Tony Tse's question is as follows:
(1) and (2) As at March 31, 2025, toilet facilities are available near 319 public transport interchanges/bus terminals in Hong Kong, among which about 70 per cent (215) are available for use by the public (inclusive of taxi drivers).
Additionally, taking into account the views of the taxi trade and the traffic flow in the vicinity of taxi stands, the Government has designated part of the area of suitable taxi stands as "taxi parking spaces", such that taxi drivers may park their taxis there during specified periods (mainly during night time). At present, there are 25 taxi stands in Hong Kong with "taxi parking spaces". Toilet facilities for public use (such as public toilets and toilets in parks that are open 24 hours a day) are provided in the vicinity of these taxi stands (within five minutes' walking distance).
The TD has been maintaining communications with the taxi trade through taxi conferences. If the trade raises specific suggestions on setting up a "taxi parking space" near a newly constructed public transport interchange or public toilet, we will duly consider the suggestions while taking into consideration the actual traffic situation and the opinion of residents in the district, etc, with a view to setting up more "taxi parking spaces" to enhance the daily operating environment of the taxi trade where feasible.
(3) Road safety is one of the operational priorities of the HKPF. The police force is committed to adopting a "result-oriented" enforcement approach when formulating the overall traffic policing strategy, with a view to reducing the number of persons killed and seriously injured in traffic accidents as well as changing the irresponsible behaviour of road users who cause obstruction on roads.
During traffic enforcement, the police force adheres to established guidelines while also considering the specific circumstances of individual cases, including whether the vehicle concerned poses safety hazards or causes serious traffic obstruction, and whether the driver has a valid reason. The police force may appropriately exercise discretion under the guidelines, such as issuing warnings instead of resorting to prosecution as a way to handle the matter.
Ends/Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:54
Issued at HKT 11:54
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