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In planning for transport infrastructure projects, the Government is
guided by sustainable development principles. It strives to ensure a better
integration of transport provision with land use planning so as to reduce
the number of motorised trips generated. It is also the Government's policy
to accord priority to railways as the backbone of the transport system.
Four railway lines or extensions will come into operation before 2008.
Less reliance on road-based transport will alleviate
the pressure on transport systems and, in turn, lessen the impact on the
environment. At the same time, the rationalisation of bus routes and stops
and implementation of pedestrian schemes will continue. These will help
reduce the impact of vehicle emissions and noise pollution on pedestrians.
Since late 1998, about 2 300 daily bus trips have
been eliminated from the busy corridors on the northern shore of Hong
Kong Island through service cancellation, frequency reduction, route truncation
and amalgamation. In Nathan Road in Kowloon, about 360 daily bus trips
have been eliminated since August 2002, enhancing the efficiency of bus
operations. Bus stops have also been rationalised to reduce the number
of stops on busy corridors.
The environmental impact of new transport projects
both during the construction and the operation phases is also carefully
examined. Environmental mitigation measures are implemented where necessary
to minimise the environmental impact of transport projects. These include
landscaping, artificial contouring of surrounding hillsides, depressed
roads, laying of noise-reducing road surfacing and the installation of
noise barriers or other forms of noise insulation.
To improve the environment for pedestrians, more pedestrian
schemes and walkway systems are being planned and implemented. These help
minimise conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, reduce traffic congestion
and air pollution, as well as providing a more pleasant environment for
pedestrians. A consultancy study on the detailed design of a pedestrian
walkway system in Wan Chai, planned in conjunction with the pedestrian
scheme for the district, commenced in 2003.
In 2002 and 2003, pedestrian schemes have been implemented
in a number of streets including Paterson Street, Great George Street
and Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay; Canton Road, Hankow Road, Lock Road,
Ashley Road and Ichang Street in Tsim Sha Tsui; Fa Yuen Street and Shan
Tung Street in Mong Kok; Queen's Road Central, Chiu Lung Street, Lan Kwai
Fong and D'Aguilar Street in Central; Johnston Road in Wan Chai; Kweilin
Street and Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po; Temple Street and Nanking Street
in Yau Ma Tei, and Stanley Market Street, New Street and Main Street in
Stanley. In addition, the Mong Kok Road-Sai Yee Street Footbridge System,
a private-public partnership project, was successfully commissioned and
opened to the public in January. Situated in the heart of one of the busiest
shopping areas in Mong Kok, this 360-metre elevated covered walkway segregates
vehicles and pedestrians, thereby providing a safe, comfortable and convenient
pedestrian environment conducive to relieving pressure on the narrow,
crowded streets in the vicinity. It also directly interconnects the Mong
Kok MTR and KCR stations, facilitating passenger interchange between the
two rail systems under all weather conditions.
A study in 2001 to examine the feasibility of introducing
trolleybus operation concluded that the introduction of trolleybuses was
not recommended in existing built-up areas, while the possibility of trolleybus
operation in new development areas could be further explored. In this
connection, the merits of introducing trolleybuses among other environmentally
friendly transport modes in the South-East Kowloon Development are being
examined to determine the best choice of transport mode for this new development
area.
Since 1993, franchised bus companies have been purchasing
buses with environmentally friendly engines that meet the European emission
standards (and known as 'Euro engines'). By year-end, about 78.7 per cent
of the franchised buses were equipped with Euro engines while the remaining
buses were all retrofitted with catalytic converters. To improve the environment,
the franchised bus companies have been deploying only Euro II or Euro
III engine buses to operate routes along Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay,
the busiest shopping area on Hong Kong Island. The Government is working
with the companies to deploy cleaner vehicles along other busy corridors.
To enhance passengers' comfort at public transport
interchanges, the franchised bus companies and the Government have been
working to improve the overall quality of the interchanges. Electronic
route information panels and customer service centres have been installed
at some interchanges to enhance customer service. The Government has also
implemented a number of improvement works, including upgrading the physical
appearance of some interchanges and improving their ventilation systems.
As part of action to minimise air pollution, since
August 1, 2001 all newly registered taxis have to run on LPG to meet the
tighter emission standards. Incentive schemes to encourage the early replacement
of diesel light buses by LPG or electricity-driven vehicles were introduced
on August 27, 2002. The Government also implemented a mandatory dynamometer
smoke test for all vehicles above 5.5 tonnes with effect from January
1, 2002, if they are reported to emit excessive smoke. |
