The Hong Kong Standard reported on October 26 that many Discovery Bay residents were surprised and shocked by the proposal, after a resident posted on a social media chat group that the Islands District Council took up the proposal for discussion from Islands District Councillor for Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau, Josephine Tsang Sau-ho.

Area residents continued to comment on the report, with the thread attracting comments and clicking on emoticons Like, Angry, Wow from 103 users and whole host of back and forth replies and comments from many as expected who are opposed to the plan and a few who support it.

There were also calls for HKR International (formerly known as Hong Kong Resort Co) to be transparent and consult residents in Discovery Bay.

Many who oppose the proposal say the taxis would make streets in the quiet tree-lined hilly enclave unsafe and hazardous to people, pets, golf carts, bikers, scooter-riders while destroying the peace and quiet of the community of some 16,000 residents.

The few among those posting their comments welcomed more taxis for convenience.

In the latest discussion of the chat group, who said they live in Peng Chau wrote: “I'm not aware of anyone here actually asking for, or supporting this proposal. The assertion that the individual named above (referring to Tsang) is actually representing the views of all of Peng Chau residents is false.

“If anything, I suspect Peng Chau residents would be far more in favor of reinstating the bus service that used to run directly from the Kaito.”

“PC residents 'generally' aren't of a demographic prone to taking long, potentially expensive taxi journeys.

“Peng Chau is an island…. What is the point for taxis?"

The Peng Chau district councillor Tsang proposed the plan to set up taxi pick-up and drop-off points in various estates in Discovery Bay and Nim Shue Wan, a dormitory small village for Discovery Bay workers on the south side of enclave, for residents to take cabs from Peng Chau, a one-km small island of 4,000 residents located off the northeastern coast of Lantau Island.

People currently travel to and from DB to Pemg Chau -- known for its temples, fishing industry and seafood -- via kaito ferry, which runs about 38 trips a day.

Tsang's proposal would mean taxis will be allowed free rein within Discovery Bay, when currently red and blue taxis are only allowed up to North Plaza on the northern tip of the enclave. Residents can then catch shuttle buses which cost HK$5.20 to go to their homes, or a hire car also run by the DB developer, HKR International (previously known as Hong Kong Resort Co).

Tsang has yet to reply to questions posed by the Standard. Questions were also posed to the DB Services Management Ltd and the HKR International.

One commenter posted a reply from an assistant to Tsang quoting her as saying: “Regarding to the proposal to establish the taxi pick-up and drop-off points in various housing estates in Discovery Bay and Nim Shue Wan. It has been referred to the Islands District Council, the Transport Department, the District Lands Office, Islands and the Hong Kong Resort International Limited to discuss the relevant issues,” it said.

“The Transport Department and the Hong Kong Resort International Limited will conduct a resident survey before deciding whether to implement the relevant plan.”

Her comments contradicted comments made during the October 26 Islands District Council meeting, which was held closed door.

At the council meeting, "pro-taxi" representatives claimed that they had received comments from residents in DB and on Peng Chau that they prefer having taxis and how it's fairer and more convenient for Peng Chau residents to travel to outside of DB if they can get taxis.

No such survey was made among residents, with the discussion coming as a surprise, according to the chat group.

The Islands District Lands Office said that according to the terms of the land lease of Discovery Bay, the lessee Hong Kong Resort Co, shall provide parking spaces to the vehicles authorized in writing for parking and loading or unloading.

Another commenter said: “Anyone else think it’s a little ironic that a lovely quiet community with little vehicular traffic is asking another community to give up the same features.”

It is understood that the issue was taken up at one of the village committees October 27.
“Seeing as HKR will not do a fair and transparent survey of residents, maybe we can get the COC to do one.”