LCQ17: Use of bus-bus interchanges at tunnels and on highways
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Question:
It is learnt that currently most bus-bus interchanges (BBIs) at tunnels and on highways in Hong Kong only allow franchised buses to pick up and drop off passengers, and Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange and Aberdeen Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange are among the few that allow public transport carriers other than franchised buses (e.g. green minibuses and non-franchised buses) to pick up and drop off passengers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of parking spaces for franchised and non-franchised buses, as well as average daily passenger volumes, at various BBIs at tunnels and on highways at present;
(2) of the specific assessment criteria and considerations used in approving the opening up of BBIs at tunnels and on highways for use by public transport carriers other than franchised buses;
(3) whether an assessment has been made of the feasibility of opening up more existing BBIs at tunnels or on highways (e.g. Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, Tate's Cairn Tunnel and Lion Rock Tunnel) for use by other public transport carriers; if so, of the details; if not, of the reasons for that;
(4) whether a review has been made of the operational models of Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange and Aberdeen Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange to spread their operational experience to other interchanges with suitable spatial conditions, so as to enhance the public's interchange options and travel efficiency; and
(5) whether there will be reservation of space or adjustment of design parameters during the design phase of future transport infrastructure planning to allow a wider variety of public transport carriers to use BBIs, thereby enhancing the overall connectivity of the transport network?
Reply:
President,
It is the Government's public transport-oriented policy that encourages the public to make the most of public transport for commuting. Our reply in response to the question raised by the Hon Christine Fong is as follows:
(1) At present, bus-bus interchanges (BBIs) at road tunnels and on highways are only equipped with franchised bus pick-up/drop-off bays. Numbers of the aforementioned pick-up/drop-off bays and average daily volumes of the pick-up/drop-off passengers are set out in Annex.
(2) to (4) Currently, there are a total of 12 BBIs located at road tunnels and on highways across the territory. These BBIs provide pick-up/drop-off bays for cross-district franchised bus routes, facilitating passengers taking franchised buses from different starting points to travel between franchised bus routes for various destinations. Franchised bus operators generally offer interchange discounts to passengers, which optimises existing franchised bus and road resources, improves the efficiency of public transport operation, and helps alleviate road traffic congestion.
Franchised bus is a high-capacity road-based mass transport mode, with greater carrying capacity and route coverage as compared with other public transport services. Therefore, the Transport Department (TD) accords priority to franchised buses in the planning of BBIs at road tunnels and on highways, with a view to enhancing the operational efficiency of these interchanges. Meanwhile, the TD also comprehensively reviews the overall transport demand at relevant interchanges, available road space, traffic flow and capacity of the trunk roads concerned, so as to avoid causing traffic congestion or bottlenecks. In the case of opening up existing BBIs at road tunnels and on highways for use by other vehicles, the TD will need to conduct comprehensive assessments for individual road sections to avoid interrupting the current operation of franchised bus routes and BBIs, as well as to reserve space and allow flexibility for introducing new franchised bus routes in the future.
For the franchised bus and public light bus stops near Wong Chuk Hang Road and the Aberdeen Tunnel entrance, as well as another franchised bus stop near the Lion Rock Tunnel entrance, they currently serve as en-route stops for franchised buses and public light buses. For the stops near Wong Chuk Hang Road and the Aberdeen Tunnel entrance, the TD will continuously review the functionalities of relevant facilities for improvement, including the potential to introduce the function of bus interchange. As for Tuen Mun Road BBI, we will also continue to optimise it and increase its efficiency as one of the key BBIs.
(5) As regards future planning of transport infrastructure, in the Transport Strategy Blueprint announced in February of this year, we outline plans for the construction of a new generation of Transport Interchange Hubs. With the aim to facilitate efficient interchange between various public transport services, and enhance local and cross-boundary connectivity, the Transport Interchange Hubs will integrate various types of services (such as railways, franchised buses, public light buses, taxis, and cross-boundary coaches) along with park-and-ride facilities. The Transport Interchange Hubs will also improve first/last-mile connections by connecting to cycling networks and all-weather pedestrian corridors. Through providing barrier-free facilities and comfortable waiting areas, the Transport Interchange Hubs will enhance interchange efficiency and comfort, foster a passenger-centric travel environment, and contribute to the continuous effort to build a diversified and efficient public transport system in Hong Kong.
Ends/Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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