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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Yau Shing-mu, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 26):
Question:
Some residents have relayed to me that the current number of runs of overnight bus services to and from Tseung Kwan O is on the low side and the routes are circuitous. Moreover, there is no red public light bus or green public light bus (GMB) service between Mong Kok and Tseung Kwan O, causing inconvenience to the residents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it knows the respective average daily numbers of passengers of various overnight franchised bus routes to and from Tseung Kwan O;
(b) it has reviewed if the current overnight public transport service to and from Tseung Kwan O is adequate, and of the criteria adopted for determining if the service need to be enhanced; if it has; of the results of the review; if it has not, the reasons for that; and
(c) it will introduce overnight GMB routes between Mong Kok and Tseung Kwan O?
ReplyˇG
President,
(a) The existing overnight franchised bus routes to and from Tseung Kwan O and their average daily passenger trips are attached (see Annex).
(b) Similar to other public transport services, the Government would take into consideration factors such as changes in population and demand for transport services, as well as public views in adjusting the level of overnight public transport services to and from Tseung Kwan O. We would also need to consider the noise nuisances that may be caused by the operation of vehicles during night-time.
According to the survey findings, the average occupancy rates of the above franchised bus services during the peak hour range from 40% to 80%, while the daily average occupancy rates range from 18% to 63%. Having considered the coverage and carrying capacity of the above franchised bus routes, we are of the view that the current level of overnight public transport services to and from Tseung Kwan O is sufficient to meet passenger needs.
(c) As the existing overnight franchised bus services between Mong Kok and Tseung Kwan O are sufficient to meet the passenger demand, we have no plan to introduce a similar overnight GMB service.
Ends/Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:01
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