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The following is the question raised by Hon Ho Chung-tai and the written reply given by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question :

In order to alleviate the air pollution problem in Hong Kong, the replacement of diesel-powered buses by electric trolley buses has been suggested. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it has conducted a study on the feasibility of introducing electric trolley buses into Hong Kong and the effectiveness of such a measure in alleviating the air pollution problem; if so, the details of that; and

(b) it knows how the air pollution problem has been alleviated in various metropolises in the world after their introduction of electric trolley buses; if so, the details of that?

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is about to complete a fact-finding study on the status of the latest trolley bus technology and its application in overseas countries. In general, the study has found that there is wide recognition of trolley buses as a transport system that can help improve air quality. In many cities, trolley buses are found to be well received by the public, to have longer vehicle life spans, are quiet, and maintain good acceleration under load. Compared to diesel buses which emit significant amount of pollutants such as respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides, trolley buses have zero emissions at street level. The overall emissions arising from the electric power generation process to provide energy for trolley buses are significantly less than those from diesel fuel, particularly if gas is used at the power stations. It should also be noted that these emissions dissipate into the ambient air through the tall stacks of power stations and away from population centres. Trolley buses are therefore considered to be a relatively clean option for reducing air pollution. The complexity of putting in new trolley bus systems in Hong Kong's congested urban environment has to be recognized, but we shall examine further the feasibility of introducing trolley buses to Hong Kong.

(b) EPD's fact-finding study has identified about 340 cities in Asia, America and Europe which have trolley buses in operation. The study focused on the trolley bus technologies, not on the pollution problems in these cities. However, the environmental benefits of trolley buses in urban areas are recognised world wide. Some cities are upgrading their old systems with modern equipment and are expanding their trolley bus networks for this reason. For example, Athens is developing trolley bus systems to reduce air pollution. Their estimate is that diesel buses contributed to 20 to 40 per cent of Athens' air pollution. The city therefore plans to extend its trolley bus system aiming to replace diesel buses in phases.

End/Wednesday, March 31, 1999

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