The Government will run a trial scheme to allow regulated access of taxis to the Lok Ma Chau Control Point between midnight and 6.30 am before Easter, Deputy Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Arthur Ho says.

At a joint meeting of Legislative Council Panels on Transport & Security today, Mr Ho said the Government was now working out the details of the trial scheme.

According to Mr Ho, the Government was assessing the flow of passengers to plan additional shuttle-bus services to cater for taxi passengers. It also needs to sort out the arrangement for taxi passengers to board the shuttle buses at the Control Point in an orderly manner.

It needs to maintain smooth operations and identify a suitable location as a passenger pick up/drop off point, without interrupting the existing improvement works at the Control Point. 

The Government will meet with the trades to discuss appropriate ways to regulate taxi operations.

Councillors and representatives of the trades that attended the meeting strongly urged the Government to run the scheme before the Chinese New Year.

Mr Ho explained that it was necessary to work out appropriate arrangements first since there are space constraints at the Control Point and access for vehicles is limited.

The two panels will discuss the issue again next Tuesday following their visit to the Control Point this Friday.

At today's meeting, Mr Ho and Deputy Secretary for Security Michael Wong also explained the Government's proposed traffic and security arrangements for the introduction of 24-hour boundary crossing at the Control Point before the Chinese New Year.

The arrangements included:

* extending existing shuttle bus service to cover the new opening hours;

* connecting overnight public transport services to San Tin Pubic Transport Interchange;

* discussing the allocation of overnight quotas for new cross-boundary coach services with the Mainland authorities;

* allowing hire cars to operate during the extended hours subject to the existing quotas;

* deploying about 50 additional staff from Police, Immigration and Customs & Excise Departments to provide 24-hour passenger clearance;

* opening 10 immigration counters for passengers and two inspection lanes for private cars;

* revising the Police deployment plan to combat illegal immigration activities and ensure effective and efficient crime prevention and detection in the area; and

* liaising closely with the Mainland authorities to ensure the safe and smooth flow of cars and people.

The Government will announce the start date and detailed arrangements after receiving Central Government approval.