LCQ21: Parking spaces for school private light buses
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Question:
In reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on December 3, 2014, the authorities stated that regarding the demand for parking spaces for school private light buses (commonly called "nanny vans") which could not be parked at parking spaces for private cars owing to their longer bodies, the Government would implement the following measures as and when necessary: (i) provide on-street parking spaces as long as road safety and other road users are not affected; (ii) allow temporary car parks to operate at sites with no immediate development plans; (iii) require developers to include a suitable number of parking spaces for use by nanny vans, where appropriate, in development projects; and (iv) if the demand for parking spaces for student service vehicles is particularly high in a certain district, the authorities will consider designating some parking spaces at existing temporary car parks for the exclusive use of this class of vehicles when renewing the tenancies of these car parks. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the increase in the number of nanny vans in each of the past three years and the current total number of nanny vans;
(2) whether it has, since December 2014, taken any of the aforesaid measures to increase the number of parking spaces for nanny vans; if it has, of the details (including the locations of implementation and the increase in the number of parking spaces) of such measures;
(3) whether it has plans to implement the aforesaid measures in the coming three years to increase the number of parking spaces for nanny vans; if it does, of the details (including the locations of implementation and the projected increase in the number of parking spaces); if not, the reasons for that; and
(4) apart from the aforesaid measures, whether the authorities will explore the adoption of other measures to increase the number of parking spaces for nanny vans (such as requiring the schools concerned to provide parking spaces); if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the various parts of the Hon Frankie Yick's question is as follows.
(1) In the past three years, the net increase in the number of school private light buses (SPLBs) by year was 159, 60 and 18 in 2014, 2015 and 2016 (January to September) respectively. As of September this year, the total number of SPLBs in Hong Kong is 1 980.
(2) and (3) The Transport Department (TD) has been monitoring the parking demands of various types of vehicles (including SPLBs) in the territory, and has taken various measures to increase parking spaces having regard to actual circumstances. During the period from January 2015 to June 2016, the number of on-street parking spaces available for SPLBs in the territory has increased by about 60; while the number of short-term tenancy car parks has increased by 13, providing about 1 500 parking spaces for all types of vehicles (including SPLBs). Operators could flexibly adjust the number of various types of parking spaces in these short-term tenancy car parks in accordance with the land lease condition to cater for the parking demands of different types of vehicles.
The TD has also increased the number of parking spaces for SPLBs to address the demands of individual districts. For example, in the above-mentioned period, when renewing the tenancy for two short-term tenancy car parks on Po Yap Road and Wan Po Road in Tseung Kwan O, the Government has stipulated a requirement in the tenancy agreements that at least 45 parking spaces in total should be provided for parking by SPLBs. Also, for the short-term tenancy car park on Wong Tai Sin Road in Wong Tai Sin, the Government has stipulated a requirement that only buses, minibuses (including SPLBs) and goods vehicles are allowed to use the car park.
The TD will continue to take appropriate measures to increase the number of parking spaces (in particular those for commercial vehicles) in accordance with the parking demand of various types of vehicles and actual circumstances. The actual location for implementing these measures and the number of additional parking spaces to be provided will depend on a number of factors, including the parking demands of various districts, the suitability of designating parking spaces on the concerned road, the implementation schedule of new developments or redevelopments, the terms and conditions of existing short-term tenancy car parks, as well as the views of the local community, etc.
(4) Apart from the above measures, the Housing Department (HD) is discussing with the TD to change dozens of parking spaces for light goods vehicles and private cars in car parks under the HD's management to also allow parking by private light buses (including SPLBs). Moreover, the TD has commenced preparatory work for a review on parking policy and standard. The review will accord priority to considering and meeting the parking need of commercial vehicles (including SPLBs).
As regards the feasibility of providing parking spaces in school campus, according to the Education Bureau, to meet schools' operational needs, they normally make available car parking facilities in school premises in accordance with the provisions in the land leases or tenancy agreements. According to the relevant provisions, the use of such facilities is restricted to school staff or visitors only. In fact, SPLBs, mostly commercially-run and profit-making in nature, may serve schools or organisations both within and beyond the districts concerned. It is against the land use provisions and other conditions specified in the land leases or tenancy agreements to request schools to grant SPLBs access to their parking facilities. This also involves complicated school security arrangements and insurance issues. Moreover, allowing SPLBs access to campus may affect the daily operation of schools and pose risks to the safety of the school staff, students and other users of the school premises. Therefore, it is difficult for the Government to request schools to make available parking spaces for operators of SPLBs.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:05
Issued at HKT 18:05
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