Discovery Bay developer turns down request for extra taxi stands
Developer turns down residents' call to increase number of designated stands, just months after cabs were permitted to enter through tunnel
A proposal for additional designated taxi pick-up and drop-off points in Discovery Bay has been rejected by the developer, HKR International.
The suggestion, floated during a residents’ meeting in December, came little over a month after urban and Lantau taxis were first allowed to enter through the Discovery Bay Tunnel free of charge on October 26 last year.
But they are currently restricted to picking up and dropping off passengers at the North Plaza, near the Auberge Hotel.
Island District Councillor Amy Yung Wing-sheung, who also attended the meeting, said some representatives had proposed setting up an additional pick-up and drop-off point near the tunnel roundabout.
“Residents felt that since taxis are now allowed in, they could not oppose it any more,” Yung said. “Apart from making it convenient for hotel guests, it should also be made convenient to the residents.”
A spokesman for HKR International said there were no plans to change the existing arrangement, including the location of pick-up and drop-off points, which the Transport Department approved.
“It would be more appropriate to give it a little longer before proposing any further changes,” he said.
This will come as a relief to the many residents who told the South China Morning Post they want to see cabs restricted to one place.
One resident, who gave his name as David, said: “I hope it does not [expand to other areas] and I don’t think it should. Taxi drivers driving too fast are a problem and the children here are not used to looking because the buses are very cautious of the children. The taxi drivers are just not used to that.”
Another resident, James Nazer, also welcomed the taxi policy, but said that he was worried it would attract too many visitors. “I am worried that Discovery Bay will turn into somewhere like Stanley, because the transport is so easy and it just gets flooded every weekend,” he said.
“Part of the charm of Discovery Bay is that it’s one of the few places that hasn’t actually been invaded by mainland tourists yet, so it’s actually quite nice most of the time.”
Another resident, who gave her name as Sandra, said she did not want to see taxis at all.
“I don’t agree with it. I think people move to Discovery Bay to get away from all the traffic and pollution,” she said. “It’s just a shame to see it coming. I moved here six months ago because there wasn’t any traffic, so I am a bit disappointed.”
When asked whether HKRI would consider imposing a toll on taxis using the tunnel, the spokesman said that power rested solely with the government.
But he added: “If taxis are required to pay a toll, it may increase the revenue of the Discovery Bay Tunnel but the cost will be borne by residents.
“We understand that the current arrangement is welcomed by both the taxi service users and the drivers.”
He also stressed the developer was enforcing strict rules to prohibit taxis going to other areas in Discovery Bay.
