The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government began to implement as of Monday a Taxi Hiring Scheme to encourage officials to use taxis for parts of official duty journeys, aimed at reducing government expenditure.
The scheme, available to all bureaux and departments, provides an alternative means of commercial transport to supplement the existing transport provision for duty travel.
The scheme is considered particularly appropriate for journeys with several calling points especially in remote areas or those with a requirement to carry light tools or equipment.
"The use of commercially hired taxis offer greater flexibility and costs less than using government pool cars. The scheme will also help enhance business for the taxi operators. It will be a win-win situation for both the government and the taxi trade," a spokesman for the Government Land Transport Agency (GLTA) said.
The initial phase of the scheme will last about six months. The GLTA will review and determine the arrangement of subsequent phases based on the experience gained in the initial phase.
The GLTA is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the scheme. So far, 35 taxi associations and radio stations have joined the scheme.
Government officers who have obtained departmental approval to use hourly-hired taxis for duty journeys will telephone the taxi associations to place the bookings.
Upon the completion of the journey, the hire charge will be paid in cash by the user who will subsequently seek reimbursement from his department.
Based on a survey conducted earlier, the scheme is expected to initially attract usage from about 50 bureaux or departments, resulting in an estimated saving of about HK$2 million a year.
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2003)
