Drivers confine minister to hot taxi to drive home their point

Taxi drivers refused yesterday to let a sweltering environment minister leave a taxi whose cabin temperature was well into the 40s, although the driver stepped out to take a break.

Edward Yau Tang-wah was confined to the cab at the Hung Hom railway station taxi stand after deciding to bow to demands of the city's professional drivers that he get a taste of what their summertime working lives will be like if the proposed ban on idling engines comes into force.

The minister's 'ride' was meant to last about 15 minutes but the taxi drivers made sure it went for almost twice as long.

The drivers' challenge was meant to pressure Yau and lawmakers to grant further exemptions for career drivers. But Yau, though a little red in the face, did not appear to be very uncomfortable, nor did he make any promise on exemptions, saying any changes required further discussion.

'I think everybody feels the heat, and this is exactly the purpose of having this legislation,' Yau said.

'Should more exemptions be granted? Should it cover a certain type of vehicle or is it enough to offer exemptions on very hot days? We need further discussion and consensus from various sectors.'

Environment officials said cabbies would never have to stay in a hot cab for as long as Yau was confined, especially with the closed windows.