Travellers to be surveyed at boundary crossings
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     The Government will survey passengers and drivers travelling between Hong Kong and the Mainland or Macao at 11 immigration control points from this Friday (October 28) to November 10.

     A spokesman for the Planning Department said today (October 25) that the Cross-boundary Travel Survey 2011 would collect information about the characteristics of cross-boundary trips as well as the socio-economic profiles and travelling behaviour of the trip-makers, including local residents, foreign visitors and Mainland visitors.

     "Through this survey, we will obtain valuable information about trip purpose, origin, destination, travelling frequency and some personal particulars such as age, sex and place of residence," the spokesman said.

     "In addition, by examining the commuting characteristics of different types of cross-boundary vehicles, we can gauge with greater accuracy the cross-boundary traffic movement patterns."

     It will be the seventh cross-boundary travel survey by the Government. The previous six were conducted in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

     The information collected will provide essential data for cross-boundary infrastructure and land-use planning when formulating long-term development options for Hong Kong.

     The 11 immigration control points for the survey are Hong Kong International Airport, Lo Wu Terminus, Hung Hom Station, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, China Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal, Lok Ma Chau Control Point, Man Kam To Control Point, Sha Tau Kok Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

     About 65 000 respondents, including 14 000 drivers, will be selected at random for the survey. They will be invited to complete a questionnaire, which will take no longer than five minutes.

     The spokesman urged passengers and drivers to co-operate with the Nielsen Company (Hong Kong) Limited, the company hired to conduct the survey. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.

     The results of the survey will be available by the third quarter of 2012.

Ends/Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:06

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