Proposals to curb urban air pollution were condemned by public transport operators in Hong Kong yesterday. The Environmental Protection Department's proposals include raising fines for smoky vehicles from $450 to $1,000 and making some busy streets in Causeway Bay and Mongkok pedestrian-only at certain times. Urban taxi and public light bus groups condemned the proposals as impractical. Taxi Operators' Association chairman Leung Siu-cheong said: "Blocking the streets and turning them into pedestrian-only areas will not solve the problem."