The Transport Department plans to meet today with the 16 New Territory taxi trade associations, which represent green taxis from rural areas, to discuss adjusting their fares to match those of red urban taxis.

The government hopes to adjust fares in green taxis before the Lunar New Year, increasing prices for short trips and making long trips cheaper as it has recently done with red taxis. Both the Legislative Council and the Transport Advisory Council have to approve the move before the plan goes to the Executive Council. To expedite the process, the proposal may take the form of negative vetting, meaning it will become law if it is not amended within 28 days after gazetting.

The Motor Transport Workers' General Union wants the government to approve the fare increase for green taxis by end of December, said Deputy Director Chung Kin-wah during a press conference yesterday.

The union has also asked the government to pass a law prohibiting passengers from bargaining for cheaper fares to prevent drivers from offering discounts. Chung said the union would not rule out petitioning the chief executive or slow-driving as protest if their demands are not met.

Chung said the industry generally agreed with the plan to raise short haul fares and reduce long haul fares. The plan was developed after a year of discussions between the industry and the government.

But the government failed to implement the new fares for both green and red taxis at the same time, Chung said, angering drivers who have lost out on revenue.

Choi Tak-kai, chairman of NT Taxi Drivers Association, one of the 16 trade associations involved in the expected negotiations, said about 70 percent of green cabbies suppor the fare changes proposed. He agreed with the idea of a law to combat the "discount gang taxi drivers" that monopolize long haul trips.

Fares in red taxis were adjusted on November 30. The move triggered a blockade last Wednesday of the North Lantau Highway from the airport.

Transport Department officials will meet with New Territories taxi trade associations today and Commissioner Alan Wong is expected to brief the media afterwards.

The Legislative Council Panel on Transport will discuss the proposal to adjust fares for green taxis on Thursday. The Transport Advisory Council will also advance its meeting from the end of December to discuss the matter prior to scrutiny by the Executive Council.

(HK Edition 12/09/2008 page1)