Government planning for transport infrastructure projects, is based on sustainable development principles. It strives to ensure the best possible integration of land use, transport and environmental planning. It is also the Government's policy to accord priority to railways as the backbone of the transport system. Four railway lines or extensions have opened in recent years, with another expected in 2005.

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 2 900 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 600 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, during both the construction and 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.

Promoting a better pedestrian environment is one way to enhance the quality of life. Feedback from the public on pedestrian schemes is encouraging. Hong Kong was awarded an American Institute of Architects Hong Kong Citation for 'distinguished achievement in successfully promoting and implementing pedestrianised districts which enhance the urban environment of Hong Kong'.

Pedestrian schemes have been implemented in a number of streets in Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point, the Peak, Stanley, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long and Sheung Shui. In addition, the Transport Department and the Planning Department have commissioned a comprehensive study on Tsim Sha Tsui to beautify the area and improve the pedestrian environment. It is expected the study will be completed by end-2005.

Since 1993, franchised bus companies have been purchasing buses with environmentally friendly engines that meet the European emission standards (known as 'Euro engines'). About 84 per cent of the franchised buses are equipped with Euro engines while the remaining buses are 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. The Government has also implemented a number of improvement works, including upgrading the physical appearance of some interchanges and improving their ventilation systems.

Since August 2001, all newly registered taxis must run on LPG to meet tighter emission standards to minimise air pollution. Incentive schemes to encourage the early replacement of diesel light buses by LPG or electricity-driven vehicles were introduced in August 2002. Almost 100 per cent of taxis and 30 per cent of PLBs have converted to LPG.