********************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Kam Nai-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 22):
Question:
As at the end of 2007, the average daily person-times benefiting from each of the 96 concessionary bus-bus interchange (CBBI) schemes with interchange locations on Hong Kong Island was only about 77, which was far less than those of the other four areas: 2,059, 315, 529 and 604 for New Territories West, New Territories East, Lantau Island and Kowloon respectively. Moreover, a number of green minibus (GMB) route combinations on Hong Kong Island at present also provide interchange concessions. Regarding concessionary interchange schemes for franchised buses and GMBs, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers, as at the end of 2008, of concessionary interchange schemes for franchised buses and GMBs with interchange locations in the aforesaid five areas respectively, together with a breakdown, by area, of the latest average daily person-times benefiting from the two types of schemes;
(b) whether the Transport Department (TD) has discussed with franchised bus companies and GMB operators the introduction of more concessionary interchange schemes on Hong Kong Island in the next 12 months; if it has, of the number of such schemes and other details (including the estimated person-times benefiting); whether the Government has set a long-term growth target for the person-times benefiting from concessionary interchange schemes; if it has no target, the reasons for that;
(c) given that the Government has all along been encouraging franchised bus companies to introduce more CBBI schemes, whether the Government also encourages operators of GMB routes which are in direct competition with franchised bus routes to offer interchange concessions; whether "whether interchange concession will be offered" is one of the factors of consideration in TD's selection of operators for new GMB routes; and
(d) whether the authorities will, in the future when they negotiate with franchised bus companies operating bus routes on Hong Kong Island on the extension of franchise, request such companies to formulate more comprehensive CBBI schemes, as well as increase the number of interchange locations for the convenience of passengers, with a view to making good use of bus service resources?
Reply:
President,
(a) As at the end of 2008, 229 bus-bus interchange (BBI) concession schemes have been introduced by various bus companies, and the average daily passenger trips were over 120,000. Detailed breakdowns by their interchange locations are as follows:
- 91 schemes on Hong Kong Island, and the average daily passenger trips were about 7,200;
- 51 schemes in Kowloon, and the average daily passenger trips were about 27,900;
- 42 schemes in the New Territories East, and the average daily passenger trips were about 16,100;
- 35 schemes in the New Territories West, and the average daily passenger trips were about 65,000; and
- 10 schemes on Lantau Island, and the average daily passenger trips were about 6,900.
As at the end of 2008, there were a total of 55 green minibus-railway interchange schemes. According to information provided by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, the average daily passenger trips were about 47,000. In addition, there are 35 green minibus-green minibus (GMB-GMB) interchange schemes in the aforesaid five areas. The Transport Department (TD) does not have the passenger trip figures of these schemes.
(b) The bus companies plan to introduce five new BBI concession schemes in the next 12 months on Hong Kong Island. These schemes mainly involve bus routes serving Eastern and Southern Districts. Two of the five schemes are put forward to tie in with the bus route rationalisation projects, while the remaining three schemes are aimed at enhancing the efficiency of bus resources utilisation. Subject to the consultation results of the District Councils concerned, the schemes will be implemented in the next 12 months. Regarding GMBs, operators of various GMB route packages on Hong Kong Island are examining to offer GMB-GMB interchange schemes.
The Government has been encouraging franchised bus and GMB operators to introduce more concessionary interchange schemes having regard to their operating conditions and financial capability. Under the principle of free enterprise, the provision of concessionary interchange schemes is a decision for the operator. It is not appropriate for TD to set a long-term growth target for the passenger trips benefiting from these schemes.
(c) The Government has been encouraging GMB operators to introduce more fare concessions to passengers having regard to their operating conditions. TD would take into account applicants' offer of different types of fare concessions to passengers, including concessionary interchange schemes, in their applications during the selection of operators for new GMB routes.
(d) Under the principle of free enterprise, provision of concessionary interchange schemes is a decision for the operator. Franchised bus companies are required to submit their five-year forward planning programmes to TD annually. TD has urged the bus companies to include more comprehensive plans of BBI concession schemes and increase the number of interchange locations when formulating their forward planning programmes.
Ends/Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:36
NNNN