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Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, at a media session on improving traffic distribution among road harbour crossings today (February 18):
Secretary for Transport and Housing: Earlier last year, the Government proposed some options for the benefit of traffic distribution among the road harbour crossings. Basically we focused on the (Cross) Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing. The proposal was to increase the charges for the central tunnel (Cross Harbour Tunnel) but at the same time reduce charges for the Eastern (Harbour Crossing) in order to enable some traffic distribution to the Eastern Harbour (Crossing).
Among the three options put forward for public consultation, one of the options is to maintain no change to public transport vehicles. Based on the result of the public consultation, we find that by and large the public is receptive to the direction of using variation in charges to facilitate traffic distribution among the road harbour crossings. And at the same time, there is no clear support for any of the three options. Meanwhile we are mindful of the concern expressed in the local community, particularly in the Eastern District and Kwun Tong. Local District Councils as well as the local community are concerned about whether any proposal to reduce charges for the Eastern (Harbour Crossing) and increased charges for the Cross Harbour Tunnel might result in more congestion along the road network connecting the Eastern Harbour (Crossing).
We take into account fully the sentiments expressed and we have also tried to revisit the data regarding the current road traffic situation. The latest assessment is that there has indeed been a steady increase in the vehicle traffic along the roads leading to the Eastern Harbour (Crossing). Last year, the daily number of vehicles increased to 72 000 vehicles and if we assume that any of our options would result in a shift of up to 5 000 vehicles to the Eastern Harbour (Crossing), then the total figure would become 77 000 which is very close to the design capacity of Eastern Harbour (Crossing) which is 78 000 vehicles.
At the same time, our latest data reveals that for the Cross Harbour Tunnel, the Hung Hom one, the average daily traffic in 2013 has actually decreased by more than 3 000 vehicles per day. This figure is the lowest throughout the past 25 years. So over the last few months, we have been watching the traffic trend very closely. That's why we've taken slightly more time to monitor the situation. Having taken into account the local community's concern, the latest traffic data and of course the overall view expressed by some members of the community that we should also take into account the Western Harbour (Crossing), the Government has now decided to put on hold the original proposal to increase charges for the Cross Harbour Tunnel to Hung Hom and to reduce the charges for the Eastern Harbour (Crossing). We will use 2017 as the target date for our revised proposal by which time the Central-Wan Chai Bypass would have been completed, which would reduce the current congested situation in the road network leading to the Western Harbour (Crossing). At the same time, the ownership of the Eastern Harbour (Crossing) would have been returned to the Government in 2016. So 2017 will be a very good window of opportunity for the Government to work out a more comprehensive package for adjustment of charges among the three road harbour crossings which will also involve the Western Harbour (Crossing).
Meanwhile, of course, we have to watch the traffic situation very closely and, if necessary, introduce further traffic management measures. Road congestion is becoming a problem in Hong Kong so the issue is not just about rationalising the traffic flow among the three cross harbour tunnels, but also to improve our public transport system, railway system and franchised buses. And we are also considering a pilot scheme on electronic road charges, road pricing in Central District. At the same time we are taking forward initiatives to create a more passenger-friendly environment and bicycle-friendly environment. So we hope that with various medium to long term measures, the road congestion situation in Hong Kong could be reduced. So that's basically what we've decided.
(To be continued.)
Ends/Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:38
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