43 pct of taxis fail roadside emission tests

The Transport Bureau (DSAT) has revealed that only 57 percent of the taxis that took part in random roadside emission tests in 2014 met the standard. The Bureau has been conducting roadside emission tests on diesel vehicles in collaboration with the Public Security Police since 2010. The authorities conducted roadside emission tests on 625 diesel vehicles in 2014, with 497 of them passing the test.
The bureau revealed that in 2014, the authorities conducted the test on 51 taxis and found that 22 of them fell below the emission standard, with an overall passing rate of 57 percent. However, the result was said to be better than in 2013, which saw a pass rate of only 43 percent. The situation is better for light trucks, with 153 out of 239 light trucks passing the test. Other types of diesel vehicles, including heavy trucks, shuttle buses and regular buses, all achieved pass rates of above 80 percent.
The authorities claimed that they will strengthen the monitoring on exhaust emissions by light trucks, taxis and shuttle buses in 2015. They also called on residents to report to the authorities any vehicles that they find to be emitting excessive exhaust fumes.
Separately, the Public Security Police (PSP) announced it fined 810 taxis in January for breaching regulations. According to a TDM report, thirty-seven percent were fined for overcharging and rejecting customers. Data shows that 157 cases (19 percent) relate to overcharging, while rejection of customers accounted for 129 cases (16 percent).
Other fines were related to illegal parking, or stopping on yellow lines. Furthermore, 296 violations relate to taxi drivers breaching their obligations.
Authorities have called on taxi drivers to abide by the law, and have urged residents and tourists to report any taxi driver misbehavior to the Transport Bureau or the PSP.