Road wage: A Transport Department survey has found that 66% of the urban taxi trade is against cutting fares.

About 66% of the urban taxi trade is against cutting fares, a recent survey conducted by the Transport Department says.

At the request of the urban taxi trade, the department has conducted a survey on the views of taxi owners and drivers on the proposed urban taxi fare concession.

The move was necessary as the trade could not reach a consensus on the issue raised by some at the Urban Taxi Trade Conference.

Some 15,250 questionnaires were sent to all registered owners of urban taxis by post on May 25. A total of 8,313 questionnaires were received by June 8.

For in-service taxi drivers, 15,129 were successfully approached at 29 designated LPG gas refilling stations on May 30. Among them, 13,470 completed the interview.

The overall assessment revealed that 27% agreed to give concessionary fares, 66% were against and 7% gave no response.

For drivers, 29% agreed to concession, 60% disagreed and 11% gave no views.

For owners, 25% agreed, 72% were against, and 3% gave no views.