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Following is a question by the Hon Alvin Yeung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (June 29):
Question:
A few housing estates in areas around Pak Shek Kok were completed and occupied in recent years. With the completion of a number of residential projects in the coming few years, there will be a marked population increase in areas around Pak Shek Kok. In addition, as the Finance Committee of this Council approved the funding application relating to Stage 1 of the Hong Kong Science Park Expansion Programme last month, it is estimated that the working population within the Science Park will increase from the existing some 17 700 persons to more than 30 000 persons upon completion of the Expansion Programme in 2020. Some residents in the district have pointed out that the aforesaid development projects will bring about heavy loading to the transport and ancillary facilities in areas around Pak Shek Kok. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(1) it knows the following information on each of the residential projects in areas around Pak Shek Kok (set out in a table): (i) project name, (ii) number of flats, (iii) number of residents, (iv) number of private parking spaces, (v) number of public parking spaces, (vi) year of completion, and (vii) gross floor area (square feet);
(2) it knows the following information on each of the housing projects which are under development or will be launched in areas around Pak Shek Kok (set out in a table): (i) project name/lot number, (ii) estimated number of flats, (iii) estimated number of residents, (iv) estimated number of private parking spaces, (v) estimated number of public parking spaces, (vi) anticipated year of completion, (vii) progress in land lot planning (if applicable), and (viii) estimated permissible gross floor area (square feet); and
(3) the Government will take measures to alleviate the traffic pressure brought about by the population increase in areas around Pak Shek Kok; if it will not, of the reasons for that; if it will, the measures to be taken; whether it will consider extending the East Rail Line and adding Pak Shek Kok Station along the Line, as well as increasing the number of routes for public light buses and franchised buses; if it will, of the details and implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The consolidated reply to the Hon Alvin Yeung's question is as follows.
The information relating to the residential developments in Pak Shek Kok, as provided by the Development Bureau, is at Annex 1. The Government will continue to identify suitable sites in different areas for housing development, with a view to addressing the housing needs of the community.
The Transport Department (TD) has been closely monitoring the development and trends of transport demand in Pak Shek Kok, and coordinating various public transport services for the area. There are currently a total of eight franchised bus and green minibus (GMB) routes providing residents with services directly to and from the University MTR Station as well as different areas in Kowloon and the New Territories. Amongst them, four routes provide whole-day services and the other four provide services during peak hours (details at Annex 2). In accordance with established practices, TD monitors the adequacy of service level through field surveys from time to time and operational data submitted by operators. According to the surveys and operational data, the average occupancy rate of the above franchised bus routes that provide whole-day services ranges from about 10 per cent to 60 per cent during peak hours. The occupancy rate of individual trips could be as high as 70 per cent. The average occupancy rate of the GMB routes during peak hours ranges from about 10 per cent to 30 per cent. The occupancy rate of individual trips could be as high as about 90 per cent. Overall, the current service arrangements could already meet the passenger demand of the two residential developments in Pak Shek Kok (i.e. Providence Bay and Mayfair By The Sea) with intake. TD will continue to closely liaise with public transport operators to monitor the public transport service arrangements for Pak Shek Kok and make appropriate adjustments taking into account the needs of the community, including those of the new population intake in future.
According to established practices, TD will arrange public transport services to tie in with the completion of any new developments. The arrangements include introduction of new routes and adjustment of existing services in a timely manner. Such practice is applicable to the new residential development projects including those in Pak Shek Kok.
Ends/Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:02
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