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The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) at its meeting today (December 30) endorsed the Report on Study of Road Traffic Congestion in Hong Kong for submission to the Secretary for Transport and Housing. The committee was also briefed by the Government on the views received during the public consultation conducted earlier on the requirements of the new franchises for the networks of two bus companies.
The TAC Chairman, Mr Larry Kwok, said after the meeting that the Report analysed various factors contributing to overall road traffic congestion in Hong Kong and suggested 12 short-, medium- and long-term additional measures for study by the Government.
"The TAC urges the Government to study and consider the recommendations of the Report, and hopes that the Government would accept the recommendations and implement them as soon as practicable," he said.
He pointed out that it is not easy to solve the problem of road traffic congestion, and it requires the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community. Simple acts like following traffic rules can greatly improve the traffic situation.
"We cannot afford to sit still and let the worsening traffic affect our quality of life. Although some measures suggested by the TAC may entail inconvenience to some road users, Hong Kong as a whole will stand to benefit with less congestion, and all road users will in turn benefit from shorter travel time and a better environment," he added.
In March this year, the TAC accepted the invitation by the Secretary for Transport and Housing to conduct a study of road traffic congestion in Hong Kong. A 10-person Working Group was then set up to conduct the study. The Working Group held a total of nine meetings over the eight-month study period. It also made use of an independent market research company to gauge public opinions on the perceived causes and acceptable solutions for road traffic congestion. The Report is available on the webpage of the TAC (www.thb.gov.hk/eng/boards/transport/land/tac.htm).
Separately, the Government earlier invited the public to offer views on the requirements of the new franchises for the bus networks of Citybus Limited (Franchise for Hong Kong Island and Cross-Harbour Bus Network) and New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited. TAC Members were briefed on the views received during the public consultation.
"Members noted that the public had shown more interest over three areas, namely bus service quality, fare concessions and the Government's regulation on bus service. Members learnt that the Government had started to prepare for the discussion with the two grantees on the new franchises having regard to these views, and would report the outcome when appropriate," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:23
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