The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau of the Government Secretariat,
headed by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, is responsible for,
among other matters, the overall policy formulation, direction and coordination of
land transport and ferry services. The Secretary is assisted by the Transport Advisory
Committee, which advises the Chief Executive in Council on major transport policies
and issues. The committee has 18 members, including the chairman and three
government officials. A Transport Complaints Unit is established under the
committee. In 2006, this unit received 20 248 complaints and suggestions on traffic
and transport matters. On local transport matters, the Government is advised by the
District Councils and their traffic and transport committees.
The bureau is supported by the Transport Department and the Highways
Department. The Transport Department, headed by the Commissioner for Transport,
is the authority for administering the Road Traffic Ordinance and legislation
regulating public transport operations. Its responsibilities cover transport planning,
road traffic and tunnel management, car parks and metered parking spaces,
regulation of roads, railways and waterborne public transport, licensing of drivers and
registration, and licensing and inspection of vehicles. The Highways Department,
headed by the Director of Highways, is responsible for the overall design and
construction of highways, and their repair and maintenance. The department also
studies new railway proposals, monitors their construction and helps to resolve any
interface problems they may have with other works projects.
The Hong Kong Police Force is the principal agency for enforcing traffic
legislation and prosecuting offenders. The Prosecutions Unit of the Transport
Department handles prosecutions involving disqualification under the Driving Offence
Points System, investigation of and enforcement against unauthorised non-franchised
bus services and breaches of vehicle safety regulations, government tunnel
regulations and Tsing Ma Control Area regulations.
Transport Tribunals, set up under the Road Traffic Ordinance with a chairman
and members appointed from among members of the public, provide a channel of
appeal against decisions made by the Commissioner for Transport in respect of the
registration and licensing of vehicles, the issue of hire car permits and passenger
service licences, and the designation of car-testing centres, vehicle emission testing
centres, driving schools and driving improvement schools. The Transport Department
also operates an Emergency Transport Coordination Centre, which handles traffic and
transport incidents and provides a focal point for liaison with other government
departments and public transport operators on traffic and transport arrangements.
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