Legislative Council

LC Paper No. LS195/98-99

The Secretary for Transport has given notice to move a motion under section 23(3) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) on 16 June 1999. The purpose of the motion is to seek the Legislative Council's approval to further extend, for two years up to 20 June 2001, the period during which the number of registered public light buses (PLBs) may be limited.

2. Under section 23(1) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), the Chief Executive in Council may by notice in the Gazette limit the number of vehicles in a particular class which may be registered. The limit so notified shall remain in force not exceeding 12 months but the Legislative Council may from time to time extend the period. By the Public Light Buses (Limitation on Number) Notice (Cap. 374 sub. leg.) made in 1986, the then Governor in Council limited the total number of vehicles which may be registered as public light buses to 4,350. Since 1987 the same limit has been extended every two years by successive resolutions of the Legislative Council. The existing limit is in force until 20 June 1999 unless further extended.

3. According to the Secretary for Transport's draft speech, the Administration considers it appropriate to maintain the total number of PLBs at its existing level as the patronage of PLBs has remained largely the same although the economic downturn has brought about a slight decline in patronage of all modes of public transport in 1998.

4. The legal and drafting aspects of the proposed resolution are in order.


Prepared by


Fung Sau-kuen, Connie
Assistant Legal Adviser
Legislative Council Secretariat
31 May 1999