************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung and a reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, in the Legislative Council today (July 11):
Question:
Exactly one month has passed since the cabin crash incident of the Ngong Ping Skyrail. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the work progress of the Expert Panel appointed by the Government, including the progress in identifying the causes of the incident and the date to submit the report; as well as the estimated time when the Skyrail service can resume;
(b) whether it has estimated the losses suffered by the local tourism industry and the commercial tenants of the Ngong Ping Village since the suspension of the Skyrail service; if it has, of the amount of losses; and
(c) what improvement works have been carried out by the Skyrail operator and what measures the operator has put in place to restore the confidence of the public and tourists in taking the Skyrail?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) & (c) The Government takes a very serious view of the incident of the falling of a cabin of Ngong Ping Skyrail on June 11, 2007. After the incident, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) immediately ordered the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to investigate into the incident, conduct a comprehensive review and then submit a report. MTRCL also set up an investigation team and invited overseas cableway consultants to render professional assistance in and advice on the investigation, including the operation, design, maintenance and management of the cable car system. MTRCL will submit a report to EMSD. MTRCL has pledged to conduct the investigation in a serious and professional manner and will strive to restore public confidence in the cable car system.
At the same time, the Government appointed on June 15, 2007 an Expert Panel, led by independent overseas experts, to investigate into the cause of the incident, and also to recommend proposals for enhancing the safety of Ngong Ping Skyrail・s operation. Two internationally renowned experts in ropeways have been appointed as the Panel Chairman and Vice-chairman respectively to conduct the investigation jointly with EMSD. The investigation is progressing well. The Expert Panel has completed site inspection of the damaged cable, ropes and braking system, and is conducting a detailed analysis of the data and information collected (including computer records). The Expert Panel・s report is expected to be available in or before September 2007. As the investigation is now underway, it is not appropriate to speculate on the cause of the incident at the present stage.
The Government will carefully consider the respective reports of the Expert Panel and MTRCL, and, having regard to the cause of the incident, formulate the necessary remedial and improvement measures. Thereafter, the cable car system will be tested and its safe operation certified by an independent surveyor of MTRCL. Only after its safety and reliability have been confirmed will EMSD allow the Ngong Ping Skyrail to resume its service, so as to ensure the safety of the passengers and the general public.
The safety of the Ngong Ping Skyrail has always been our top priority. As the investigation by the Government・s Expert Panel is now underway, it is not appropriate to estimate when the cable car service can resume at this stage. We will however continue with our work to promote Ngong Ping Village and the neighbouring attractions, with a view to preparing for the re-opening of the cableway.
(b) While the initial operation of the Ngong Ping Skyrail was not entirely smooth, subsequent improvements were made in light of experience. Before the incident, this tourism attraction was very well received by visitors and recorded more than 1.5 million passengers during the nine-month operation period, which exceeded the average visitation of 1 million per year to the Giant Buddha. Before resumption of the cable car service, the tenants of Ngong Ping Village would certainly suffer, though we are not able to estimate the financial loss. MTRCL has been liaising closely with the tenants and providing assistance to them, with a view to minimising their loss. Measures include waiving the rental for the tenants during the suspension period, and working with the New Lantao Bus Co Ltd (NLB) to provide connecting transport arrangement for staff working in the Village.
At the same time, the Government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the travel trade, MTRCL and Skyrail have actively discussed how to continuously attract visitors to the Ngong Ping Village. Measures which have been implemented at present include:
(i) Skyrail offers to visitors concessionary rides on the MTR and NLB;
(ii) Skyrail offers to travel agents special packages including free admission to the Monkey・s Tale Theatre for group visitors;
(iii) Skyrail provides free shuttle service plying between Ngong Ping Village and Po Lin Monastery;
(iv) most shops and restaurants in Ngong Ping Village offer various concessions;
(v) Ngong Ping Village organises special programmes to attract visitors, e.g. carnival parades and street performance, in addition to the existing Chinese acrobatic displays and tea cultural feature performance; and
(vi) HKTB will, through various channels, promote to the travel trade, Ngong Ping Village and itineraries covering other attractions in the vicinity, including the Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path, Tai O, Mui Wo, etc.
In addition, MTRCL and Skyrail plan to launch more concessions and activities to step up its support for the tenants and promotion of the Ngong Ping Village. These will be announced once confirmed and HKTB will assist in promoting the incentives.
Hong Kong enjoys rich and diverse tourism assets, and Ngong Ping 360 is one of our wide array of attractions. After the incident, HKTB and the travel trade have immediately adjusted the related promotion activities and itineraries of visitors. As a whole, it is believed that the cable car incident will not have long lasting impact on the tourism of Hong Kong. The Government, HKTB and the travel trade industry will continue to work together to step up efforts to promote and publicise Hong Kong, enhance the appeal of our tourist attractions, and upgrade the service standard of the travel trade industry so as to maintain Hong Kong・s position as Asia・s World City and facilitate the steady growth of the tourism and related trades.
Ends/Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:50
NNNN
