TAC briefed on feasibility study on environmentally friendly transport services in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and toll waiver for tunnels and Lantau Link
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The Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (NDA) will be a next generation new town of Hong Kong which is envisioned to serve as a regional economic and civic hub for the Northwest New Territories, accommodating many diverse economic activities creating impetus for the economic development of the region. A highly efficient and convenient EFTS is essential to serve the population of the NDA, as well as to promote a thriving local economy and foster the development of the NDA.
The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Members support the use of green and efficient public transport modes for providing services to support internal movement among the development clusters within the NDA and connect the NDA with nearby development. Members also expressed views on the three shortlisted green public transport modes, namely automated people mover, green bus system and modern tram."
In addition, Members were briefed by the Government on the initiative of waiving the tolls of the Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link (TM - CLKL) Subsea Tunnel, the Lantau Link, the Tseung Kwan O - Lam Tin Tunnel (TKO - LTT) and the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel as announced in the 2019 Policy Address.
The successive commissioning of the TM - CLKL Subsea Tunnel and the TKO - LTT in the coming two years will enable the diversion of traffic to and from Lantau Island and Tseung Kwan O respectively. Taking into account the traffic conditions, the Government suggests waiving the tolls of the new TM - CLKL Subsea Tunnel and the Lantau Link upon the commissioning of the TM - CLKL Subsea Tunnel scheduled for the end of 2020 and, similarly, waiving the tolls of the new TKO - LTT and the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel upon the commissioning of the TKO - LTT scheduled for the end of 2021.
Professor Cheung said, "Members welcome the proposed toll waiver which can reduce the cost of using the government tolled tunnels concerned and the Lantau Link incurred by the general public, public transport operators and transport trades. Members also noted the Government's plan to press ahead with the progressive implementation of a free-flow tolling system at other government tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area, and that the Government is conducting a study on the concept of congestion charging and the principle of 'efficiency first' for determining the toll levels of different categories of vehicles at different time periods, thereby enhancing efficiency of limited road space."
Ends/Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:45
Issued at HKT 16:45
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