BURNING ISSUE

Ng Mau-shing, chairman of the Public Light Bus General Association, inspects the smaller fuel tank of the world's first LPG-driven light bus, an eco-friendly vehicle that has been designed and built by Toyota. But minibus operators are worried about plans to introduce liquefied petroleum gas filling stations, pointing out that the tanks cannot support operations in the New Territories, where journeys can reach 300km during each shift. Mr Ng said: 'We would have to refill the tank more than once a day and it would create more inconvenience for passengers. The situation would be aggravated if the number of refilling stations was inadequate.' Eight of the vehicles, which cost $2 million each to develop, have been shipped to the SAR to join a six-month pilot scheme starting next month. The minibuses use an 8.95-litre LPG tank, six litres less than the tanks used by LPG taxis. Agents said a full fuel tank would last for about 250km.