Society

HK taxi fare increase application under study

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-17 20:42

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's urban, New Territories and Lantau taxi associations have submitted applications for an increase of flagfall charges by HK$2 (about US$0.25), the city's Transport and Housing Bureau said Friday.

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According to a paper submitted to the Legislative Council Panel, the bureau said since the proposed fare increases are on the flagfall charges only, the rate of fare increase for long-haul trips will be lower than that for short-haul trips.

The trip-length distributions for the three taxi types are different. New Territories taxis' trips tend to be short-haul, while those of the urban and Lantau taxis are usually longer.

Even though the three taxi groups are all applying for an increase of 2 HK dollars for flagfall charges, the average rates of the proposed fare increase are 5.15 percent for urban taxis, 8. 05 percent for New Territories, and 4.11 percent for Lantau.

The bureau said it will take into account the views of panel members and the Transport Advisory Committee before submitting recommendations to the city's Chief Executive in Council.