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Press
Releases - 2000
Fleet
managers sought for alternative-fuelled light buses trial
scheme
The Government
is inviting experienced public light bus operators to serve
as fleet managers to manage and operate the trial of alternative-fuelled
light buses.
The Assistant
Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said
today (April 10) that the Government would launch a six-month
trial of alternative-fuelled light buses in June this year
following the successful trial of the liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG) taxis.
"The
purpose of the trial is to collect local operational data
of LPG light buses and electric light buses and to ascertain
that these vehicles can meet the local commercial operating
conditions.
"To achieve
the most reliable results, the light buses under trial will
be operated and managed by experienced public light bus operators,"
Mr Tse noted.
The trial
is part of a key initiative to reduce air pollution from diesel
vehicles.
Electric
lights buses emit no particulates or nitrogen while LPG light
buses emit only negligible amount of particulates and 50 per
cent less nitrogen dioxide as compared with diesel light buses.
"If the
trial is successful, the Government will work out a scheme
to introduce these clean alternatives to phase out diesel
light buses," said Mr Tse.
The Government
has the support of at least five vehicle suppliers to provide
a total of 12 LPG light buses and 5 electric light buses for
the trial. Other vehicle suppliers have indicated an interest
in participating in the trial.
A committee
comprised of members from the public light bus trade, experts
from universities and representatives from the relevant government
departments has been formed to prepare for the trial.
Starting
tomorrow (April 11), experienced red or green minibus operators
interested in serving as fleet managers of the trial can obtain
an application form from the reception counter of the Transport
Department Headquarters, 41st floor, Immigration Tower, 7
Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
The completed
forms together with the required documents should be returned
to the Transport Department Tender Box at the above address.
The application
will be closed at 12 noon on April 26, 2000.
End/Monday,
April 10, 2000
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