More than 30 minibuses and taxies crowded around the Wan Chai Ferry Pier in the middle of a hot afternoon Thursday to complain about long-waiting times for refueling at liquid petroleum gas (LPG) outlets.

The drivers also demanded to be permitted to add fuel surcharge as a better solution than a fare hike to relive their current operational difficulties.

Although the city's taxicabs were given a fare hike of HK$2 on July 10, drivers said their difficulties haven't improved.

Long-waiting times have become a major burden of minibus and taxi drivers, said Lai Ming-hung, chairman of the Taxi and Public Light Bus Concern Group.

Every refill costs up to one hour thanks to long queues outside the dedicated LPG stations.

"Every minute on the clock is money," he said.

The concern group planned to park 60 vehicles outside the pier.

But nearly 30 were refused entry by the traffic police citing crowded road conditions.

As LPG prices keep going up, more drivers prefer to refill at dedicated LPG stations.

The dedicated LPG filling stations were established at nil land premium to support the LPG Taxi Scheme.

The prices are about HK$0.5 cheaper for a liter than those at other LPG stations.

There are only 11 dedicated LPG stations out of more than 50 LPG stations in the city.

"Most of them are located in remote places", Lai complained.

Lai indicated that the government promised them two years ago to build more dedicated LPG stations to meet their needs. But they have not seen even one new station yet.

The concern group asked the government to fulfill its commitment so that the drivers can save the wait-time cost.

Lai, however, added that the drivers understand it may be difficult to build a new gas station in downtown area, since gas stations are widely viewed as obnoxious facilities.

The group also made another suggestion, asking that all LPG filling stations provide cheaper LPG.

But the Environment Bureau made a clear rejection that it can not standardize the LPG prices in all LPG filling stations.

The drivers also called for adding a fuel surcharge, adding a fuel surcharge mechanism can resolve the conflicts between drivers and vehicle owners.

Lai said the exact amount of the surcharges is negotiable.

He explained that owners tend to raise the rent of minibuses or taxies over a fare hike, but not fuel surcharge.

He said fare hikes will be less needed after introducing a fuel surcharge mechanism.

The Transport Department, however, replied that it believes adding fuel surcharge will pass the fuel costs on to passengers.

A more prudent approach is to stick with the current fare adjustment mechanism, said a spokesperson of the department.

guojiaxue@chinadailyhk.com

China Daily

(HK Edition 07/29/2011 page1)