Challenge mounted to idling ban
A coalition of road transport operators has called on environment officials to scrap a proposed ban on idling engines, saying it would hurt their business while failing to improve air quality.
The coalition, comprising at least six taxi groups and transport unions, is organising a signature campaign across the transport sector to campaign against the ban.
It will also organise a protest tomorrow outside the legislature when the environmental affairs panel discusses the proposal.
Coalition spokesman Chung Kin-wah said the government had no choice but to scrap the proposal. If not, they would not rule out staging a slow-drive protest.
'The concessions and exemptions made by the government are negligible. We are now telling the government there is no room for negotiation but to scrap it,' he said.
Mr Chung said the ban would lead to operating difficulties for commercial vehicles, enforcement problems and pose a danger to passengers' and drivers' safety.
He also said the constant switching on and off of engines of vehicles waiting in queues would result in more emissions.
Chum Yau-chung, leader of a taxi drivers' association, said even after the ban had been revised by the government, it still failed to address the 'unique operating environment' of taxis.
