Fleet of 400 to ferry elite
A FLEET of 150 new Mercedes limousines will ferry VIP guests invited to the handover ceremony in the eight days straddling June 30.
They are part of a 400-strong fleet, including coaches and lorries, that will be on hand for the thousands of guests, their staff and luggage.
The Government Land Transport Agency has planned an eight-day operation between June 27 and July 4, recruiting 300 civil servants to help transport overseas guests.
While the royal delegation will travel in Crown vehicles, the agency is still awaiting a list of VIP guests from Beijing to make arrangements.
About 60 of the new Mercedes-Benz S320Ls, sponsored by the local agent Zung Fu, will be used for internationally protected people and driven by police.
Chief Transport Services Officer (Special Projects) Wong Wai-kong said government vehicles were also being set aside for the ceremony, to be attended by 4,000 guests.
The agency is evaluating bids for a 100-vehicle coach service, with results expected in two weeks.
It has also recruited 300 civil servants as drivers, including auxiliary police officers, chosen for their motoring and communications skills and, in some cases, knowledge of first aid.
'They will be paid $1,200 a day,' Mr Wong said.
With local guests expected to take their own vehicles, officials are working on solutions to parking problems.
Options could include hiring some of the 3,000 parking spaces near the Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the handover ceremony will be held.
