ExCo approves one-dollar taxi flagfall fare increase
The Chief
Executive-in-Council today (January 22) approved the increase in the flagfall
fare by $1 for urban and New Territories (NT) taxis. As the taxi fares
are prescribed in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations,
legislative amendment to the regulations is necessary to effect the fare
adjustment. The amendment will be tabled at the Legislative Council on
January 30, 2008, for negative vetting. Upon completion of relevant
procedures, the new fares will be implemented on February 28, 2008.
Ends/Tuesday,
January 22, 2008
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said,
"The taxi fare adjustment is made in response to the taxi trade’s request
to relieve the pressure due to the rising fuel price by the $1 fare
increase."
In considering the application, the Government has taken
into account factors including changes in revenues and operating costs, such as
rental and fuel, since the last fare increase of NT taxis in 1997 and urban
taxis in 1998, as well as the impact of the proposed fare increase on
passengers and public acceptability.
"The Government appreciates that rentee-drivers of taxi
trades have been facing increasing fuel costs and other operating difficulties.
Approving the $1 increase of the flagfall fare should help relieve
drivers' pressure brought by the rising operating costs," the spokesman
said.
"The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) is conducting a
review of taxi operation, with a view to strengthening the competitiveness of
taxi service and benefiting the public. The review consultation will
conclude on January 31, 2008. The Government hopes the review of taxi
fare will further enhance the competitiveness of the taxi fare structure at
various travelling distances and the current $1 fare increase adjustment will
also be subsumed within this fare structure review."
The Chief Executive-in-Council has taken into account TAC's
advice in considering the application. A copy of TAC's advice is
attached.
Issued at HKT 15:52