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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kwong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 28):

Question:

Regarding cross-boundary coach services, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the details of unauthorized cross-boundary coach services, including their routes, frequencies as well as the pick-up/drop-off points, and what actions have been taken to crack down on such services;

(b) whether it will consider strengthening authorized cross-boundary coach services?

Reply:

Madam President,

Cross-boundary coach services are operated under a quota system jointly administered by the Hong Kong and Mainland authorities. Each quota allows a coach to cross the boundary via a designated control point within a specified time. The routes and pick-up/drop-off points of these coaches within Hong Kong are also subject to the approval of the Transport Department (TD). We note that some coach operators have not fully observed the prescribed requirements. The irregularities include over-runs, non-compliance with allocated timeslots, and picking up and dropping off passengers at unauthorized locations. The coaches concerned are mostly those providing services between Huanggang in Shenzhen and the urban areas in Hong Kong. Their frequencies vary with the number of passengers. Most of the pick-up/drop-off points are located in Mongkok, Kwun Tong and Wanchai.

Depending on the circumstances, we will take the following actions against the above malpractices:

(1) The Police will take prosecution actions if cross-boundary coaches contravene the Road Traffic Ordinance or cause obstruction to the traffic at pick-up/drop-off points.

(2) TD will conduct surprise checks on the operation of cross-boundary coaches at their pick-up/drop-off points. If non-compliance is found, TD will issue warning letters to the operators concerned, reminding them to follow the approved routes, frequencies and pick-up/drop-off points in operating their services.

(3) TD will issue warning letters to operators who are found to have overrun their quotas. Such records of non-compliance will be taken into account when their applications for quotas are considered in the future, and this may result in a reduction of the number of quotas to be granted or their applications not being processed. As regards serious and repeated offenders, TD will conduct inquiries against them under the Road Traffic Ordinance. Based on the inquiry reports, the Commissioner for Transport will consider cancelling, altering or temporarily suspending the operator's Passenger Service Licence or cancelling its quotas. Together with the Police, TD will also take prosecution actions against these coaches to achieve deterrent effect.

The purpose of the quota system for cross-boundary coaches is to ensure smooth traffic flow and safe operation at our control points. The governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong have been continuously reviewing and improving the facilities at the control points, as well as streamlining clearance procedures, with a view to enhancing vehicle and passenger handling capacities.

The two governments also regularly review the number of quotas and operation of cross-boundary coaches in order to maintain order and smooth traffic flow at our controls points, and at the same time meeting the cross-boundary traffic demand generated by the economic integration and exchanges on various fronts between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Ends/Wednesday, April 28, 2004

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