TAC briefed on action plan to enhance maintenance strategies of public roads and latest operating environment of public light bus trade
******************************************************************************************
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (May 27) by the Government on the Highways Department (HyD)'s action plan to enhance the maintenance strategies of public roads, as well as the latest operating environment of the public light bus (PLB) trade.
The HyD is responsible for the repair and maintenance of about 6 600 kilometres of public carriageways in Hong Kong and ensures the safety and reliability of the public road network through regular road inspections by engaging contractors under term contracts. However, repairing and maintaining roads in densely developed Hong Kong faces a number of challenges, including an accelerated rate of road deterioration, considerable growth in the public road network, labour shortage and an ageing workforce, and difficulties in implementing temporary traffic arrangements. To overcome the above challenges, it is necessary to enhance the road maintenance strategy. In this connection, the HyD established the Strategic Road Maintenance Committee led by the Deputy Director of Highways in March this year to implement and monitor the effectiveness of three strategies proposed by the HyD to enhance the maintenance of public roads. The three strategies include enhancement of maintenance efficiency by adopting innovative technologies and promoting digitalisation in management, adoption of new materials for maintenance works, and collaboration with other departments to expedite the implementation of larger-scale road maintenance works.
The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "The HyD is committed to enhancing the maintenance of public roads. Members support the adoption of new technologies and materials in road maintenance and look forward to the HyD's strengthened collaboration with other departments to expedite the implementation of larger-scale road maintenance works, thereby further safeguarding the safety of the public in their commuting and enhancing the comfort of road users."
In addition, members were briefed by the Government on the latest operating environment of the PLB trade and the relevant enhancement measures.
Members noted that the patronage of PLB remained stable in 2023 and 2024, and the Government has implemented a series of measures to improve the operating environment of the trade, including the introduction of new green minibus (GMB) routes, encouraging the conversion of red minibus routes to GMB routes operations, as well as the introduction of the Labour Importation Scheme for the Transport Sector - PLB/Coach Trade.
Professor Cheung said, "Members note that PLB plays an important supplementary feeder role and support the enhancement measures implemented by the Government to assist the PLB trade. Members believe the Government will continue to explore different proposals in response to the operating conditions of PLB, with a view to helping the PLB trade to maintain sustainability and enhance the service quality."
Ends/Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:28
Issued at HKT 16:28
NNNN