Updated information on the arrangement of taxi services to Park Island.
The latest edition of Park Island Magazine reports that the Transport Apartment on 15 March 2011 has finally agreed to extend taxi access to Ma Wan (the island on which the Park Island estate is built on). Having been built as an "eco friendly" development, car access to the island has always been controversial, but it seems a practical balance has been reached.
The following arrangement with regard to taxi cars will now take effect from 1 January 2012:
Monday to Friday - taxi entry permitted from 10am right through to 7am the next morning (ie only hours not permitted at 7am -10am).
Saturday, Sunday, and Public holidays - taxi entry permitted from 8pm right through to 7am the next morning (ie hours not permitted are from 7am - 8pm.
To me, this seems a move in the right direction. To get to work in the morning, most people will still use a bus, shuttle to MTR, or take ferry to Central or Tsuen Wan. But after work, the option of taking a taxi home now is a lot more viable. A taxi from Central direct to Ma Wan, takes around 15 min and costs around $160 so jumping into a taxi and getting taken right to the entrance of Park Island certainly is an attractive option.
What will happen next? The Park Island owners committee is continuing to liaise with the transport department with a view to assessing views on transport. My guess is that the next steps will be simply 24 hour taxi access, and then also some private parking strictly for residents for those who want their own cars.
On an unrelated note, the Park Island Magazine notes that Park Island recently received the Hong Kong Green Property of the Year award (for the second year in succession). The award is based on public votes, and is a nice affirmation of the environmental friendliness of the island.
May 17, 2011
ReplyDeleteTo whom this may concern,
I write to complain about the misleading "taxi notice" dated May 12, 2011, posted at the elevator banks of residential buildings on Park Island. Specifically, the text in English reads that the Transport Department has agreed to extend taxi entry time on into Park Island so that taxis can enter from 10a.m. to 7a.m. However, it fails to state that this new policy will not take effect until next year.
After having read this notice last week and on helping to transport my mother from the hospital who just broke her foot, I flagged down a taxi at the Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan, and rode it back to Park Island with my parents in the early afternoon of May 17, 2011. We were stopped at the checkpoint, where the taxi driver was penalized by the officer. We paid the driver HK$500 to cover the fine.
Usually, the availability of taxis is not a concern to us, as we enjoy using the efficient mass transit system in HK. However, my mom just broke her foot and therefore has trouble boarding/alighting buses. The notice dated May 12, 2011, which I read at the elevators of Block 26, was very misleading - it states clearly that the new taxi hours have been agreed upon. The English text did NOT state at all that this is still not a done deal and therefore is still not in effect. I feel that the drafting of the notice needs MUCH improvement.
Regards,
Stella So
stella.k.so@gmail.com
Hi Stella - I am very sorry to hear what happened to you.
ReplyDeleteYou raise a very good point, that such messages should be clear. Also, as more foreigners more to Park Island, it is of course important that communications in English are well written and accuratly reflect the Chinese versions.
I wonder if you can appeal the fine, given the circumstances?
PS - Please note that this is a private blog of a peroson who lives on Park Island. So, whilst you are free to comment on anything you wish here, I would suggest that for matters like the one you experienced you should raise with either the Park Island management company, or the Transport department.
Thanks for the message, and I do hope your mother has recovered now.