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The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (March 27) on the latest position of the Government's negotiations with New World First Bus Services Limited, Long Win Bus Company Limited and Citybus Limited in respect of its franchise for the Airport and North Lantau bus network on the proposed granting of new 10-year franchises upon the expiry of their current ones in 2013.
"The TAC noted that the Government, having regard to the views received during the public engagement process, had placed emphasis on fare concessions, enhancement in facilities and information for passengers, and environmental improvement measures in the negotiations with the three bus companies on the requirements of the new franchises," the TAC Chairman, Mr Rimsky Yuen, said.
"We understand that the Government is on the whole making good progress and will take into account the TAC's views in making a recommendation to the Chief Executive in Council for a decision in due course," Mr Yuen said.
Members were briefed on the Highways Department's plan to replace conventional tubular crash gates with "movable steel barriers" and "removable concrete barriers" at emergency crossings and contingency crossings in the central dividers of major roads.
"The TAC noted that the Highways Department's programme to replace conventional tubular crash gates with more robust barriers would enhance road safety by better preventing errant vehicles from straying onto the opposite traffic lanes during accidents," Mr Yuen said.
Members were also briefed on the latest progress of the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project.
"Members noted that the SCL is a territory-wide strategic railway project which would link up with a number of existing and future railways and would bring railway services to new catchment areas including Hin Keng of Sha Tin and the Kai Tak and Ma Tau Wai areas of East Kowloon. It would also help redistribute passengers to different railway lines through convenient interchanges and relieve the current congested situations during peak hours on the East Rail Line, Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line.
"Members were pleased to note that the detailed design of the SCL is now substantially completed, and that the Government had kicked off the funding application process with a view to starting the construction of the SCL in mid-2012," Mr Yuen said.
Ends/Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:51
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