The government is to invite bids for 200 regular taxi licences with an 8-year term this month, following the expiration of 230 taxi licences this or next year. According to the dispatch by Chief Executive Chui Sai On in the Official Gazette released yesterday, the term of the new batch of taxi licences may not be prolonged. In addition, winners of the bids cannot transfer the licences to others. Meanwhile, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) estimates that the bidding procedure for the new licences will be initiated within this month. The new batch of taxi licences is to supplement the 60 taxi licences, with either 8-year term or 10-year terms, due by the end of this year, as well as the other 170 licences expiring in 2016. DSAT said yesterday that 21 of the 60 licences had already expired on May 1 and 2, while all the licence holders had returned their operating permit to the Bureau. Recently, the government department also claimed it would open a tender for at least 100 special taxi licences this year, referred to as taxis that provide services via call bookings. K.L.
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