TAC Chairman welcomes traffic and transport-related initiatives in Budget
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The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, today (February 23) welcomed the traffic and transport-related initiatives set out in the Financial Secretary's 2022-23 Budget.
Professor Cheung said, "The current epidemic situation of Hong Kong is grave, and it affects the livelihood of many. Empathetic towards people's needs, the Government will launch a special relief measure of lowering the threshold for the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme from $400 to $200 from May to October this year. The Government will provide commuters with a subsidy amounting to one‑third of their actual monthly public transport expenses in excess of $200, and raise the ceiling of the monthly subsidy from $400 to $500. I support this measure that reduces the burden of transport expenses on the public and helps them tide over the difficult times.
"In addition, I am pleased to note from the Budget that the Government will continue to adopt the 'infrastructure-led' and 'capacity building' planning approach, driving the development of land and meeting the overall long-term development needs of Hong Kong. The TAC has received briefings from the Government on the railway projects under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy and the framework of the Traffic and Transport Strategy Study, and Members have offered comments and suggestions on the relevant studies. I hope that the Government will press ahead with the various studies and take forward feasible items at the soonest opportunity possible, with a view to enhancing the city's transport network, strengthening our competitiveness for future development, and supporting Hong Kong to better integrate into the overall development of our country."
Ends/Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:20
Issued at HKT 18:20
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