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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 30) :

Question :

In order to alleviate the air pollution caused by emissions from public transport, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) given that the Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. plans to introduce, in this year, 50 buses which meet the Euro IV emission standards, whether the Authorities have suggested to the company to arrange for such buses to serve the busy areas;

(b) whether they plan to discuss with franchised bus companies the rationalization of the existing bus routes and schedules to avoid an excessive number of buses crowding in the same area, and aggravating the air pollution problem in the areas concerned; and

(c) of the policies or measures in place to encourage public transport operators to introduce vehicles which are more environmentally-friendly?

Reply :

Madam President,

We understand from Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. that the 50 new buses which would meet Euro IV emission standards would be delivered in 2004. These new buses would be assigned to operate along busy corridors.

Transport Department (TD) monitors bus operation and where appropriate, initiates discussions with franchised bus companies on proposals to rationalize their bus services to better match changing passenger demand and to reduce unnecessary duplication of bus services. In 2002, as a result of such rationalization measures, 2,300 bus trips per day and over 300 bus stoppings per peak hour have been reduced in the busy corridors in Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Yau Tsim Mong Districts. These measures include cancellation of low demand routes, truncation of routes, reduction in frequency, and re-organization of bus stopping arrangement.

For the coming year, TD has developed, in conjunction with the franchised bus companies, further rationalization proposals involving some 30 bus routes operating in busy corridors in the above-mentioned districts and has put them to the relevant District Councils (DCs) for consultation earlier this year. While due regard will be given to the views of the DCs, we will not lose sight of the environmental benefits these measures will bring to the wider community. We will continue to pursue rationalization of existing bus services where appropriate.

We have a policy to require newly registered vehicles including buses to meet the most stringent emission standards where the technology is practicable and commercially available. Since 2001, newly registered vehicles have been required to comply with Euro III emission standards. We plan to introduce Euro IV emission standards in 2006 in step with the European Union.

For existing buses, we will continue to encourage franchised bus operators to implement measures to improve the environmental performance of their bus fleet. As at end 2002, all pre-Euro buses were either scrapped or retrofitted with diesel catalysts (CATs). By early 2004, the franchised bus companies would have retrofitted all Euro I buses with CATs or continuous regenerating traps (CRTs). In addition, discussion is underway with the franchised bus companies for a programme to retrofit CRTs to buses with engines of Euro II or above standards. TD and the Environmental Protection Department would offer operational and technical advice to the bus companies to facilitate its implementation.

On the other hand, we have included in the new franchises of Citybus Limited (Airport and North Lantau bus network), Long Win Bus Company Limited and New World First Bus Services Limited which will take effect in mid 2003 a requirement for the bus companies to adopt the state-of-the-art environmentally friendly technology in their purchase of new buses. We intend to introduce a similar requirement in all future bus franchises. We have also included the adoption and promotion of environmentally friendly measures, including bus design which can enhance emission reduction, as one of the relevant criteria in the selection of bus operator for new bus service.

For taxis and public light buses, we have provided financial incentive schemes to promote the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles. Non-franchised bus operators are also financially assisted to retrofit their buses with CATs. Financial assistance aside, legislation was also introduced in 2001 to require all newly registered taxis to operate on either LPG or petrol from 1 August 2001 onwards.

End/Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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