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The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed today (November 29) the Government's proposal to introduce a new form of trade licence to facilitate the re-exporting of left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles via Hong Kong, and the progress of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) project.
The TAC Chairman, Mr Rimsky Yuen, said the TAC was pleased to note the Government's intention to facilitate LHD vehicles re-export business and to improve the regulatory mechanism applicable to both the existing and the new trade licences.
"Noting that the relevant trade had been consulted on the proposal, members considered that the proposal struck a good balance between meeting the trade's needs and ensuring proper use of trade licences to prevent abuses," said Mr Yuen.
"Members supported the proposal in principle and note that the Government would further refine the proposal in the light of comments received before proceeding to consult the Legislative Council Panel on Transport."
Members were also briefed on the progress of HZMB-related infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, namely the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities, Hong Kong Link Road, and the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link. The HZMB project is a major cross-boundary transport infrastructure project that has a very important strategic value in further enhancing the economic development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Mainland.
"We note the Government's plan to commence works for the projects as soon as possible, so as to tie in with the commissioning of the HZMB Main Bridge in 2016. Members also noted that the Government had started discussion with the relevant Mainland and Macao authorities on the cross-boundary transport arrangements of the HZMB," said Mr Yuen.
TAC members were also updated on the development of various Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) applications to provide traffic information to the public, as well as for traffic control and enforcement.
"Members were pleased to note that the Transport Department (TD) launched the mobile application and website of the Hong Kong eTransport and the mobile website of the Driving Route Search Service in August 2011 and would develop more mobile applications by 2012 to facilitate the general public's access to more traffic information anytime, anywhere for free," said Mr Yuen.
Members also noted that the TD was implementing a project to erect Speed Map Panels at strategic locations in the New Territories to inform motorists of the traffic conditions ahead. These new initiatives to disseminate more real-time traffic information to motorists will help them make better choice of routes, reduce journey time, and will help achieve the overall traffic management objective. Upon the completion of the Traffic and Incident Management System by 2015, the TD will provide even more real-time traffic and transport information to the public.
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:37
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