A task force has been formed to investigate the recent spate of taxi and minibus breakdowns, and study whether there are problems with Hong Kong's liquefied-petroleum gas supply.

Electrical & Mechanical Services Department Chief Engineer Lewis Ho today said the group is chaired by the Deputy Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services and comprises representatives from professional bodies, academia, drivers and car owners. They will meet in the coming days and will submit a report in two to three months.

A 24-hour hotline - 2333 3762 - has been set up to handle breakdown problems. Drivers and car owners will be asked to provide detailed information which will be used to help experts conducting the study.

The Task Force will commence the LPG Testing Scheme as soon as possible. Vehicles under this scheme will be refuelled at designated LPG filling stations and be inspected at designated vehicle workshops on a weekly basis, lasting for two months.

The group will investigate the case thoroughly, during which the process will be transparent. Findings and results during the course of investigation will be released promptly in different stages.

Noting the fuel supplied by Sinopec complied with requirements, Mr Ho said no problems were found in the samples collected from the company's filling stations. However, the company will clean the facilities in its LPG stations in Ma On Shan and Laguna City in the coming days to restore consumer confidence.

The department has already enhanced the monitoring of the operations of all LPG supply companies, and will draw LPG samples from LPG dispensing nozzles at LPG filling stations for laboratory analysis to ensure the quality of LPG.

It will also enhance the coordination with LPG supply companies to ensure the supply of LPG for vehicular use.

Mr Ho also called on the taxi and minibus trade to carefully read maintenance manuals provided by vehicle manufacturers and arrange regular cleaning and repair of their vehicles.