Taxi trouble: Relaxation of stopping restrictions for taxis has been extended to help them garner more business.

To facilitate recovery of the taxi business after the SARS epidemic, the Transport Department has decided to give taxis a further six-month period in which they can pick up and drop off passengers in no-stopping areas. 

The department will continue lifting the no-stopping restrictions for taxis in peak-hour clearways and 7am-7pm clearways, on roads with speed limits of less than 70 kilometers per hour until January 31, 2004.

Taxi drivers should continue to strictly observe the 'pick up, drop-off and go' and 'no waiting' rules. 

If there are violations of traffic rules or obstruction and inconvenience caused to other road users, the Government will consider terminating the relaxation in whole or in part before the six months are up.

The taxi associations have also undertaken to remind their members to strictly comply with the requirements and of the possible consequence of non-compliance.

Since taxis' existing restricted-zone permits will expire after July 31, taxi owners/drivers are required to renew /update their permits.

The department will set up counters for the permit renewal and updating at 12 designated LPG refilling stations from July 31 to August 1, from noon to 6pm daily.