The Transport Advisory Committee is reviewing regulation of non-franchised bus operations. A committee working group has proposed to examine three areas to deal with the over-supply of services and abuse over the regulatory flexibility and provision of unapproved services by individual operators.

Group members held meetings with 120 minibus, taxi and trade representatives to garner their views on the proposals.

The three areas to be examined include:

* co-ordinating the growth of and demand for non-franchised bus services;

* strengthening regulatory rules to combat unauthorised services; and,

* better using traffic control measures to provide a better operating environment to regular and legitimate public transport operators.

Chairman Leung On-fook said the working group recognises the role played by the trade and agrees it should continue to supplement services to the community.

Mr Leung said the group will study the trade's views comprehensively before finalising the recommendations. The group hopes to submit its report to the committee in the middle of the year. The committee will then submit a review report to the Government.