TAC discusses assessment system for hillside escalator links
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     Members of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) were briefed today (March 2) on the finalised assessment system for the provision of hillside escalator links and elevator systems. Members also noted the assessment results.

     "In view of the growing number of proposals for the provision of hillside escalator links and elevator systems, we support the proposed assessment system, which could help ensure that individual proposals could be assessed in an open and fair manner," TAC Chairman Ms Teresa Cheng said.

     A total of 20 proposals have been assessed using the proposed assessment system.  The Administration will conduct feasibility studies on the proposals ranked top 10 in the assessment to ascertain their actual technical feasibility and detailed cost estimates, and work out the actual works programme for implementation.  The actual number of proposals taken forward would depend on the availability of resources.

     TAC also discussed the effectiveness of the Road Traffic (Driving-offence Points) (Amendment) Ordinance 2009 which came into effect in May 2009 to tackle the circumvention problem in the service of summons under the Driving-offence Points system.

     "It is encouraging to note that the new 'deemed-served' arrangements has proved to be highly effective in bringing the drivers who have accumulated 15 or more DOPs and attempted to avoid summons previously before the court for disqualification hearings," Ms Cheng said.

     The committee is pleased to note that all of the "hardcore" offenders have either been disqualified or have successfully been issued with warrants because of the new arrangements.  

Ends/Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:52

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