Amendment to the Operating Areas for NT taxis
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    The Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2006 ("Amendment Regulation") to amend Schedule 7 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374, sub. leg.) was published in the Gazette today (March 10).

     A spokesman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said the Amendment Regulation was made to allow New Territories (NT) taxis to access the new Air Passenger Terminal at the Airport via specified routes.

     The commencement date of the Amendment Regulation will be appointed by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works to tie in with the opening of relevant roads at the new Air Passenger Terminal.

     "Further to the last Amendment Regulation made to permit NT taxis to serve Hang Hau MTR Station and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005, it is expected the Amendment Regulation seeking to permit NT taxis to serve the new Air Passenger Terminal at the Airport will take effect in the third quarter of 2006," the spokesman said.

     The Transport Department consulted the taxi trades on the proposals to revise the operating areas of NT taxis to enable them to access the new Air Passenger Terminal at the Airport in November, 2004. The NT taxi trade welcomed the proposals, while the urban and Lantau taxi trades did not raise any objection.

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Legislative Council Panel on Transport supported the proposal when they were consulted on January 7 and February 2, 2005 respectively.

     "The Amendment Regulation will allow NT taxi to access the new Air Passenger Terminal, bringing convenience to the NT taxi passengers," the spokesman added.

Ends/Friday, March 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:45

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