MORE stands for cross-harbour taxis are to be introduced after a six-month trial with four stands proved successful, the Transport Department said yesterday.
Passengers who take taxis from the stands pay a one-way tunnel toll of $10 instead of the usual $20.
Sites identified for stands include Taikoo Shing, Lockhart Road, the Shun Tak Centre and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island; and Kwun Tong, Laguna City, Princess Margaret Road and Oi Man Estate in Kowloon. The existing four are in Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Paterson Street, Causeway Bay; San Wai Street, To Kwa Wan; and Observatory Road, Chatham Road South.
Chairman of the Taxi Associations Federation, Ng Kwok-hung, said drivers would welcome the extended scheme.
'Currently, the taxi drivers have to line up beyond the stands which only provide six spaces each.
'The scheme also helps the police identify those who are genuinely refusing hire by displaying the 'Out of Service' sign to choose passengers,' Mr Ng said.