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Following is a question by the Hon Kwok Ka-ki and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (May 29):
Question:
The Chief Executive mentioned in the 2013 Policy Address that the Government would review bus services, rationalise bus routing, enhance feeder service and improve interchange arrangements. Also, in a paper submitted to this Council on January 18 this year, the Transport and Housing Bureau mentioned that the Transport Department and the franchised bus companies would try out an "Area Approach" in reviewing and rationalising bus services, and set up Bus-Bus Interchanges (BBIs) similar to the newly opened Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has formulated a detailed timetable for commencing discussions with the three franchised bus companies and the various District Councils on using an "Area Approach" in formulating bus route rationalisation plans and the relevant implementation arrangements; if it has, of the timetable and the details of the work concerned; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) it has prepared a list of feasible sites for providing new BBIs; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(c) it will consider converting certain large-scale bus termini (e.g. Cheung On Bus Terminus at Tsing Yi) into area-based BBIs; if it will, of the details of the relevant plans; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) it has any plan to make reference to the practices of other places (e.g. Taiwan) and require franchised bus companies to set up Estimated Bus Arrival Time systems to enable passengers to check the bus arrival time via announcing devices set up at BBIs or mobile phone applications, as well as consider including such a requirement in the franchise agreements to be signed with bus companies in future; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Bus route rationalisation is one of the policy priorities mentioned by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address delivered in January this year. It helps minimise wastage due to duplication of resources and enhance the efficiency of the bus network. Apart from easing traffic congestion, this helps improve air quality and alleviate the pressure for fare increase.
My reply to the various parts of Hon Kwok Ka-ki's question is as follows:
(a) Rationalisation of bus services is an on-going task of the Transport Department (TD). As an annual exercise, franchised bus companies submit their route development programmes (RDPs) comprising service adjustment proposals to TD. To meet passenger demand, these may include proposals to introduce new routes, improve frequency and extend operating hours, as well as to reduce frequency, truncate routes, and cancel or amalgamate routes, etc. In adjusting bus service, the TD will take into account factors such as changes in population and passenger demand, infrastructural development as well as the established guidelines on service rationalisation. Each year, the TD will consult the 18 District Councils (DCs) on the proposals under their respective RDPs. The consultation for the 2013-14 RDPs has commenced in early 2013 and is expected to be completed by mid year.
In addition to the on-going annual RDP exercise for each district, the TD and franchised bus companies are vigorously rationalising bus routes through an "area approach". Under the "area approach", the TD will consider the transport service package for a district/area in a holistic manner instead of by individual routes. This makes the bus service rationalisation proposals more beneficial to the district/area concerned from the traffic and environment angles in overall terms. In parallel, to encourage more passengers to use bus-bus interchange (BBI) schemes, the TD and bus companies will explore providing enhanced interchange facilities at major locations, and introducing new BBI schemes or improving existing ones, with a view to offering additional route choices and more attractive BBI concessions.
As a start, the "area approach" will be applied to North District for rationalising bus routes. The TD and bus companies are consulting the North DC on the details for implementation around summer holiday this year. They are also actively exploring bus route rationalisation proposals under the "area approach" for other districts/areas, with a view to conducting phased consultation and implementation in various districts/areas from the latter half of 2013 onwards.
Separately, the travelling pattern of passengers will change in the wake of the commissioning of new railways. The TD will assess the impact of new railways on other public transport modes, and devise a public transport re-organisation plan to better cater for the travelling needs of commuters and improve the operational efficiency of the public transport network. Currently, the TD is preparing the public transport re-organisation plan in connection with the commissioning of the West Island Line and the South Island Line (East) scheduled for 2014 and 2015 respectively. The plan mainly includes proposals to re-organise franchised bus and green minibus services. The TD expects to consult the relevant DCs and the affected public transport operators and trades starting from the second half of this year.
(b) and (c) To tie in with the rollout of bus route rationalisation plans and to facilitate and encourage passengers to use BBI schemes, the Administration has been actively exploring and identifying suitable sites for the set up of new BBIs. For example, the BBI located on Tuen Mun Road (Kowloon-bound) in Siu Lam, Tuen Mun, was officially commissioned last December; the BBI located on Tuen Mun Road (Tuen Mun-bound) in Tai Lam Kok, Tuen Mun, is expected to be open for public use around July this year. We are also examining the set up of new BBIs at toll plazas of tunnels (such as the bus stops at Tsing Sha Control Area), and will consult the DCs concerned in a timely manner.
Meanwhile, the TD and bus companies will explore the provision of district-based BBIs at existing bus termini or public transport interchanges (PTIs) as appropriate. For example, to tie in with the "area approach" in rationalising bus routes serving North District, the Administration will introduce new BBI schemes at Sheung Shui Station PTI and Wah Ming Bus Terminus in Fanling to facilitate commuters from different sub-areas of North District to travel to various destinations.
(d) The TD always encourages bus companies to enhance their service efficiency and provide passengers with timely service information by using information technology. At present, the Citybus Limited (Franchise for Airport and North Lantau Bus Network) (Citybus (Franchise 2)) is providing real-time bus arrival information on all its airport routes through its company website. In addition, the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) has introduced the Estimated Bus Arrival Time system at the BBI on Tuen Mun Road (Kowloon-bound) upon its commissioning in end 2012. Passengers are informed of the estimated bus arrival time of five external routes via the display panels at the said BBI. As the system is still in trial use, the KMB will continue to monitor its operational accuracy and consider extending its application to other locations and routes when the technology becomes mature. The Long Win Bus Company Limited (LW) has also indicated that a trial to provide real-time bus arrival time will be launched in mid-2013.
When processing the new franchises for the New World First Bus Services Limited, LW and Citybus (Franchise 2) last year, the Administration updated the relevant clause in the franchises for enhancing the regulatory power of the Commissioner for Transport (Commissioner) over the type, form and manner of information to be provided by the bus companies to passengers. The amended franchise clause specifically requires the franchised bus company concerned to provide service information on its website as requested by the Commissioner. Also, these bus companies have committed to provide passenger information and an enquiry system via internet and smart phone applications, and agreed to further enhance such information and systems if necessary in future. The Administration plans to introduce similar clauses and commitments for the other three franchises expiring in 2016/17.
Taking into account factors such as the operability, reliability and cost-effectiveness of applying the technology concerned in different operating situations, we will consider whether it is necessary to require bus companies, through the franchise or other means, to provide passengers with estimated bus arrival time vide announcing devices at BBIs or mobile phone applications. In the meantime, we will continue to encourage bus companies to further enhance their arrangements in providing information to the passengers having regard to commuters' needs and technical feasibility.
Ends/Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:30
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