Tag Archives: China

     Following is a question by Ir Dr the Hon Lo Wai-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):
 
Question:
 
     The Government announced in February 2018 that $2 billion would be earmarked for launching a 10-year Market Modernisation Programme (MMP) to improve the facilities of public markets (markets) under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it will conduct a comprehensive review on the extent of difficulty in and urgency for carrying out modernisation works for the various markets as well as on the development potentials of such markets, and set the priorities and timetable for carrying out related works for the various markets, with a view to speeding up the progress and ensuring that such works can be completed within 10 years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) whether it will assess afresh the estimated expenditure of MMP, and seek approval from this Council for supplementary provisions as early as possible when necessary; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) whether, in order to dovetail with modernised markets for maximising their effectiveness, the Government will step up publicity and education efforts among stall operators and patrons of markets about maintaining the hygiene of markets, so as to build a new culture on using markets; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government announced in the 2018-19 Budget that $2 billion would be earmarked for implementing a 10-year Market Modernisation Programme (MMP) to improve the facilities in public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). The MMP aims to improve the operating environment of public markets, thereby facilitating tenants’ business operation and, at the same time, providing market patrons with a more pleasant shopping environment. 
 
     My reply to the question raised by the Member is as follows –
 
(1) and (2) In identifying suitable markets for the implementation of different scales of improvement projects under the MMP, the Government considers a host of factors, including the geographical locations and distribution of the markets, condition of facilities in the markets, business viability, community needs and tenants’ readiness, etc. In particular, the Government would seek to ensure that the selected markets are situated in locations which can support their future business viability, and that they are reasonably distributed across the territory to benefit the entire community. In implementing the MMP, the FEHD works closely with the relevant works departments to identify viable hardware improvement options and consults existing tenants on relevant matters such as the facilities improvement options, rental arrangements and management improvement measures, etc. The Government also reports to the concerned District Councils on the implementation of relevant MMP projects in a timely manner and seeks funding approval according to the established mechanism.
 
     The pioneering project of the MMP is the overhaul of Aberdeen Market. After obtaining funding approval from the Legislative Council, the Government commenced the pre-closure preparatory work in August 2021. In November 2021, the Aberdeen Market will be closed fully for the commencement of the overhaul works. The Government will take appropriate measures, including the use of pre-fabricated parts with regards to the actual circumstances, to expedite the works progress, with a view to completing the overhaul works within 2022. Meanwhile, the Government is also carrying out the preparatory and consultation work for the proposed overhaul works for some other markets, including Yeung Uk Road Market, Ngau Tau Kok Market and Kowloon City Market. In addition, the Government has consulted and obtained the support of the relevant Market Management Consultative Committees (MMCCs) on the minor refurbishment or improvement works for 11 markets (including Ngau Tau Kok Market, Yeung Uk Road Market, Luen Wo Hui Market, Fa Yuen Street Market, Quarry Bay Market, Shui Wo Street Market, Tsuen Wan Market, Mong Kok Cooked Food Market, Ngau Chi Wan Market, Shek Tong Tsui Market and Nam Long Shan Road Cooked Food Market). The works in four of the above markets have been completed, while those in six others are scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. For the remaining market, preparation for the works is underway. The works are expected to commence in phases in the second half of 2022.
 
     Support from relevant stakeholders, in particular tenants, is crucial to the smooth implementation of projects under the MMP. The FEHD will continue to actively follow up on the above projects and identify more suitable markets for the MMP, so as to make the best use of the $2 billion earmarked to improve the operating environment of markets. When the projects are close to completion, the Government will review the effectiveness of the MMP in a timely manner and consider earmarking additional resources for the programme.
 
(3) The FEHD attaches great importance to the environmental hygiene of markets and endeavours to step up its promotion and education targeting tenants and consumers with a view to enhancing their awareness on market environmental hygiene and creating a market hygiene culture. Through the regular MMCC meetings of individual public markets, the FEHD reminds tenant representatives to pay attention to environmental hygiene, including to comply with the anti-epidemic measures, to handle the miscellaneous articles and refuse at their stalls properly, to take the appropriate anti-rodent measures, to conduct proper cleansing work at their stalls on the “market cleansing day” organised by the FEHD twice a month, and, for poultry stall tenants, to take stringent cleansing and disinfection measures on a daily basis to prevent the spread of avian flu. In addition, the FEHD also from time to time puts up various promotional posters on health education at prominent positions within public markets and distributes leaflets to tenants and consumers, urging them to pay attention to personal hygiene, to take proper preventive measures against avian flu and to use contactless payment means, etc.
 
     In addition to improving market facilities through the implementation of the MMP, the Government will also implement new market management measures, including strengthening the daily management of public markets and stepping up the promotion and publicity work for public markets, in order to enhance the overall competitiveness of public markets. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Luk Chung-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):

Question:

     It is learnt that in recent years, food delivery online platforms (platforms) have developed rapidly, and more and more people have joined the courier teams of such platforms. Meanwhile, the number of traffic accidents involving such couriers has risen. The work safety of such couriers and whether they are eligible for employees’ compensation after sustaining injuries are in doubt. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the numbers of traffic accidents involving platform couriers in each of the past two years and since January this year, with a breakdown by the mode of travelling adopted by the couriers concerned at the time of the accidents (e.g. by driving motorcycle or private car, riding bicycle, or on foot);

(2) among the accidents mentioned in (1), the respective numbers of those which were (i) fatal, (ii) serious and (iii) slight, and the respective percentages of such numbers in the total numbers of traffic accidents in the territory during the same periods;

(3) the respective numbers of platform couriers who were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured in the accidents mentioned in (1), and the respective percentages of such numbers in the total casualties of traffic accidents in the territory during the same periods, together with a breakdown by the mode of travelling adopted by the couriers concerned at the time of the accidents; and

(4) whether the Government will put in place new measures in the coming year to enhance the work safety of platform couriers and the protection of their labour rights and interests?
 
Reply:

President,

     After consulting the Labour Department (LD), the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police) and the Transport Department (TD), my reply to the Hon Luk Chung-hung’s question is as follows:

(1) to (3) On traffic accident figures, both the Police and the TD have not maintained breakdown of the number of traffic accidents and related casualties involving couriers of food delivery online platforms. However, the Police has conducted a one-off thematic study in respect of traffic accidents involving motorcycles (including fatal, serious and slight injury cases) and bicycles (including fatal and serious injury cases) in the first six months of 2021 and collated the number of traffic accidents and casualties related to food delivery. The relevant figures are tabulated as follows:
 

	Numbers of Traffic Accidents involving motorcycle and bicycle related to food delivery between January and June 2021
	Motorcycle (percentage over the total number of traffic accidents in Hong Kong during the same period)		Bicycle (percentage over the total number of traffic accidents in Hong Kong during the same period)
	Number of cases	Number of casualties (Note 1)	Number of cases	Number of casualties (Note 1)
Fatal (Note 2)	0 (-)	0 (-)	0 (-)	0 (-)
Serious (Note 2)	24 (0.3%)	24 (0.2%)	8 (0.1%)	8 (0.08%)
Slight (Note 2)	164 (2%)	164 (1.6%)	Not available

Note 1: Figure includes different people involved in the accidents. 

Note 2: Definitions:
Killed casualty: Sustained injury causing death within 30 days of the accident.
Serious injury: An injury for which a person is detained in hospital as an “in-patient” for more than 12 hours. Injuries causing death more than 30 days after the accident are also included in this category.
Slight injury: An injury of minor character such as a sprain, bruise or cut not judged to be severe, or slight shock requiring roadside attention without admission to hospital or requiring hospitalisation for less than 12 hours.

(4) Regarding the protection of labour rights and interests, the LD advises that the working relationship between platform companies and platform couriers, as well as the contractual terms involved, have been ever evolving. Depending on the actual circumstances of specific jobs, if there exists in substance an employment relationship between the contractual parties, a platform company must fulfil its obligations in respect of the statutory employment entitlements of the platform couriers it employs. The Government will continue to keep in view the policies on protecting the labour rights and benefits of platform couriers in different regions and conduct further study. 

     On road safety, the TD has been collaborating with the Road Safety Council (RSC) and the Police in launching various publicity and educational activities to raise the road users’ awareness of road safety. In recent years, relevant departments and the RSC have been striving to promote the messages of safe cycling and motorcycling. For example, publicity video clips and messages on cycling as well as motorcycling safety have been disseminated through information platforms on the Internet, social media platforms and publicity publications to remind cyclists and motorcyclists to follow traffic rules at all times. The Police will continue to encourage relevant stakeholders, including food delivery companies and cycling clubs, to promote cycling and motorcycling safety. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Jimmy Ng and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):

Question:

     In November 2016, the Government launched the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) with a total commitment of $200 million, with an aim to support Hong Kong’s professional services sectors to carry out worthwhile projects, thereby spearheading proactive outreaching promotion efforts and enhancing service standards. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: 

(1) of the following information on PASS for each year since it was implemented and the period from January 1 to July 31 this year: (i) the number of funded projects, (ii) the number of projects rejected, (iii) the number of beneficiary organisations, (iv) the average amount of grant per project, and (v) the major beneficiary sectors; 

(2) whether it will consider afresh formulating a set of quantitative key performance indicators for assessing and monitoring the effectiveness and achievements of all funded projects; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; 

(3) given that financial services, maritime services and tourism services are pillar industries of Hong Kong, whether the Government will include such sectors in the list of eligible professional services sectors and encourage the relevant organisations of such sectors to apply for funding under PASS; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and 

(4) as the Chief Executive announced in the 2020 Policy Address that a funding of $50 million had been set aside for setting up a Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme (PSP) under PASS to subsidise major professional bodies to participate, after the epidemic situation has stabilised, in relevant exchange, promotion and professional standard enhancement activities organised by the Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, so as to encourage Hong Kong’s professional services sectors to step up efforts to promote Hong Kong’s competitive edges and professional services to the Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and overseas markets, of the following information on PSP since it was launched: (i) the number of approved applications, (ii) the total amount of subsidies granted, and (iii) the estimated number of beneficiaries? 

Reply:
 
President,
 
     In response to the question raised by the Hon Jimmy Ng, my reply is as follows:
 
(1) As at July 2021, a total of 171 eligible applications (Note) have been received under the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS). Excluding 50 applications still pending the applicants’ submission of supplementary information or clarifications on the project content, the Vetting Committee (VC) has completed the assessment of 121 applications, of which 75 projects have been funded with a total grant of about $54 million. The funding amount for each project ranges from $110,000 to $2,780,000, and the average funding per project is $720,000. It is expected that over 33 000 Hong Kong professionals will participate in the aforementioned projects.
 
     These funded projects involve 49 grantees and cover a wide range of professional services sectors, including accounting, legal and dispute resolution, architecture, engineering, healthcare, information and communications technology, design, business consultancy, technical testing and analysis, company secretary and waste management and environmental consultancy services.
 
     The annual breakdown of the number of applications for which the VC has completed assessment is as follows:
 

Financial year	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21 and April to July 2021	Total
Number of funded projects	20	24	16	15	75
Amount of approved grant ($ million)	17.72	17.86	8.7	10.03	54.31
Number of rejected applications	26	2	6	6	40

 
     Another six applications have also been approved in principle. Pending the submission of cashflow projections and revised project proposals from the applicants concerned and subject to the signing of project agreements with the Government, these projects would be funded.
 
(2) To monitor and evaluate the progress and deliverables of funded projects, all grantees must submit project final reports and audited accounts upon completion of the projects. For projects with implementation period exceeding 18 months and/or funding amount exceeding $300,000, grantees are also required to submit project progress reports during project implementation. The project final reports and progress reports must include details of project implementation, quantifiable project deliverables, project evaluation by grantees and evaluation of project deliverables by users and participants. In addition, the PASS Secretariat will carry out onsite visits for funded activities held locally (or online visits in case of online activities), and progress review meetings with grantees for activities held outside Hong Kong.
 
     We consider that the existing monitoring and evaluation arrangements would enable multi-dimensional monitoring and evaluation of the progress and deliverables of funded projects. For projects already completed with project final reports submitted, the majority of PASS project participants had given positive comments on the project deliverables.
 
(3) The professional services sectors covered under PASS are determined with reference to the relevant classifications of professional services sectors by the World Trade Organization, the United Nations and the Census and Statistics Department, which were adjusted according to the views expressed in the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry held in June 2016. PASS also encourages applicants to consider organising cross-professional sector projects. For example, projects pertaining to shipping or maritime law, arbitration and dispute resolution, financial technology and even travel technology may also be funded. PASS had also received applications relating to the financial technology sector in the past.
 
(4) As announced by the Chief Executive in the 2020 Policy Address, $50 million has been set aside under the PASS to set up a new funding programme named the Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme (PSP), to subsidise the participation of Hong Kong’s major professional bodies in relevant activities organised by the Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs), with a view to encouraging Hong Kong professional services sectors to step up promotion of Hong Kong’s competitive edges and professional services to the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and overseas markets after the pandemic has stabilised.
 
     At present, a total of five activities have been approved in principle as tentative activities under the PSP. Details are as follows:
 

Name of Activity	Location	Format	Target Beneficiary Sector	Organiser
Hong Kong Infrastructure Development and Real Estate-related Services Mission to Jakarta, Indonesia	Jakarta, Indonesia	Forum Meeting Company visit Business matching session	Building and Construction-related services	HKTDC
Hong Kong Professional Mission to “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” Symposium	Bangkok, Thailand	Conference Thematic session Business matching session	Accounting-related services Legal services Company Secretary services Business Consultancy services	HKTDC
Promotion of Hong Kong’s Strengths in Dispute Resolution Services (particularly on maritime arbitration and online dispute resolution)	Tokyo, Japan	Meeting Seminar	Legal services (arbitration and mediation)	Tokyo ETO
Hong Kong Professional Mission to “SmartHK, Guangzhou”	Guangzhou	Forum Business matching session Company visit	Accounting-related services Legal services Information and Communications Technology services Building and Construction-related services Design services Business Consultancy services	HKTDC
Hong Kong Infrastructure Development and Real Estate-related Services Mission to Greater Bay Area	Huizhou	Meeting Infrastructure visit	Building and Construction-related services	HKTDC

 
     Key information of PSP (including the list of tentative activities) has been uploaded onto the PSP website. Due to the evolving pandemic developments, the exact timing, programme, number of beneficiaries and cost details of the tentative activities under the PSP are still pending at the present stage. Other activities are under planning by the HKTDC and ETOs and the details concerned can only be worked out after the pandemic has stabilised and cross-border/boundary travel has resumed.
 
Note: The number of eligible applications does not include applications submitted by ineligible organisations, applications for projects which were profit-making in nature and/or applications where the majority of target beneficiaries were not Hong Kong professionals from the eligible professional services sectors. The figure concerned also does not cover applications withdrawn or given up by the applicants. read more

     â€‹Following is a question by the Hon Frankie Yick and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):

Question:

     It has been reported that in recent years, as more and more members of the public call taxis, light goods vehicles and goods vehicles by using online ride-hailing applications or making phone calls, most of the drivers of such vehicles place several mobile phones or tablet computers on the dashboard to facilitate communication with their customers. However, such devices not only block the drivers’ view, but may also distract them and, as a result, traffic accidents are prone to occur. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of law enforcement operations mounted by the Police in the past three years against drivers’ acts of using mobile phones or tablet computers by holding them in their hands or between their heads and shoulders while driving, with a breakdown by vehicle type;

(2) as the Government indicated as early as in 2015 that it was collecting information for conducting a study on further restricting drivers’ use of mobile phones while driving, and such information included the number of mobile phones placed, at the time traffic accidents with casualties occurred, on the dashboards of the vehicles involved in such accidents, as well as overseas countries’ regulation of drivers’ use of mobile phones while driving and relevant studies, and that the Government had invited the Road Safety Research Committee under the Road Safety Council to conduct a study on the subject concerned, of the latest progress and results of the various relevant studies; whether the Government has decided to impose further regulation, including restricting the number of mobile phones or tablet computers placed on the dashboard; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether it will formulate non-legislative measures to eradicate drivers’ acts of using mobile phones or tablet computers while driving; if so, of the details and the expected effectiveness of such measures?

Reply:

President,

     The Government has always attached great importance to road safety, and has been ensuring the safety of road users through regulation by law and promoting attentive driving through education and publicity. The Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) has stipulated stringent provisions on “dangerous driving” and “careless driving”. If a motorist uses a mobile phone or other smart device while driving in such a way as to affect his driving, he may have committed the offence of “dangerous driving” or “careless driving”, irrespective of whether his driving has caused a traffic accident. In addition, pursuant to the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G), if a motor vehicle being driven by a motorist is in motion, it is an offence for the motorist to use a mobile phone while holding it in his hand or between his head and shoulder, or use other telecommunications equipment while holding it in his hand. The current version of the Road Users’ Code has also given clear guidelines to motorists that they should avoid using mobile phones or other smart devices as far as possible while driving, and should drive attentively.
                 
     Having consulted the Transport Department (TD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police), my reply to the Hon Frankie Yick’s question is as follows:
 
(1) According to the information of the Police, between 2018 and 2021 (January to July), the numbers of enforcement actions taken by the Police against a motorist who was using a mobile phone or telecommunications equipment by holding it in his hand or between his head and shoulder while driving, with a breakdown by class of vehicles, are tabulated below:
 

Vehicle class	2018	2019	2020	2021 (January to July)
Private car	12 747	10 325	10 854	6 524
Motor cycle	38	33	71	37
Goods vehicle	11 957	10 389	12 503	7 670
Taxi	484	334	262	174
Public light bus	84	64	61	29
Public bus	317	322	98	55
Other	85	102	70	47
Total	25 712	21 569	23 919	14 536

 
(2) and (3) The Government notes the public’s concern about motorists, particularly taxi drivers, placing several mobile phones on the dashboard while driving and also understands that motorists may have practical needs to use mobile phones or other devices for, for instance, obtaining information about navigation, real-time traffic conditions and parking space, etc. As to whether further restrictions should be imposed on the use of or placing mobile phones and other devices while driving, the Government would accord the highest priority to road safety while accommodating practical needs. The TD is conducting a study by taking into account the technology development in mobile phone and vehicle devices as well as the change in habits in using them. The TD is considering the direction of regulating the number and location of mobile phones to be placed by motorists, and the mode in which the mobile phone is used as well as the purpose of using it, etc. To this end, TD is making reference to the regulations and practices in other jurisdictions, observing the situation on using mobile phones and other devices on vehicles by motorists, and considering various factors such as whether motorists would switch between multiple mobile applications if restriction is imposed on the number of mobile phones placed on the dashboard while driving. Upon the formulation of concrete proposals, the Government will consult stakeholders in due course.
 
     Meanwhile, the Government and the Road Safety Council (RSC) will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach in raising the road safety awareness of motorists (including drivers of taxi and commercial vehicles). The TD has been maintaining close communication with the trades and from time to time reminds the trades to follow traffic laws and observe road safety. In addition, TD has been collaborating with the RSC and the Police in launching various publicity and educational activities, such as producing television and radio announcements on the theme of “driving attentively”, and disseminating relevant video clips and messages through social media platforms. The TD also publishes and distributes publicity leaflets as well as Road Safety Bulletins to remind motorists (including drivers of taxi and commercial vehicles) to be attentive and avoid using mobile phones and/or smart devices while driving.
 
     On regulating taxi services, with a view to enhancing the safety and quality of services, starting from October 1, 2020, applicants for a taxi full driving licence must have completed the pre-service course at the training school specified by the Commissioner for Transport and obtained the course certificate before they are issued with such driving licence. The course covers knowledge on driving and road safety, etc, which would help enhance the awareness of safe driving among taxi drivers.
      
     On law enforcement, the Police will continue to take rigorous enforcement action against inattentive and dangerous driving behavior under the “Selected Traffic Enforcement Priorities”. This aims to change and eradicate the unsafe and irresponsible driving behavior of motorists in order to enhance the motorists’ driving safety and ensure the safety of their own as well as other road users.
      
     The Government hopes that the multi-faceted effort on legislation, publicity and education, licence application and law enforcement, etc. can facilitate motorists, especially drivers of taxi and commercial vehicles, in continually improving driving habit and maintaining safety awareness at all times. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Frankie Yick and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):

Question:

     Some operators of public transport (PT) services have relayed that against a backdrop of continuous expansion of the railway network, various PT services other than heavy rail (i.e. franchised buses (FBs), Light Rail, public light buses, non-FBs, taxis, trams and ferries) have seen a continuous drop in patronage in recent years, with their room for survival diminishing gradually. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) how the distribution forecast of average daily PT patronage in 2021 set out in the Public Transport Strategy Study (PTSS) published in 2017 compares with the actual distribution at present; if there are discrepancies, whether it has assessed the causes for that;

(2) given that PTSS put forward a number of improvement measures to enhance the strategic arrangements of PT services and promote the sustainable development of PT services other than heavy rail, of the (i) latest implementation situation and (ii) effectiveness of such measures, and whether such measures have improved the business environment of PT services other than heavy rail;

(3) whether it will consider entrusting the provision of feeder bus services in Northwest New Territories, currently operated by the MTR Corporation Limited, to operators of FBs and green minibuses instead, so as to increase the room for survival of the latter; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(4) given that the Government recently gave approval for FB operators to introduce long-haul bus services featuring no space for standees and plying routes similar to those of the existing residents’ buses, which has resulted in vicious competition and an increase in the number of buses on roads, whether the Government has changed its policy of avoiding duplication of transport resources and maintaining a balance in the PT services ecology; if so, of the details and reasons for that; if not, whether it will review the aforesaid arrangement;

(5) given that the Government has given approval in recent years for FB operators to operate short-haul shuttle bus routes between districts in the New Territories with relatively low population densities and transport nodes using mid-sized single-deck buses, but such type of routes has all along been plied by green minibuses, of the Government’s latest positioning for the latter; and

(6) whether it will review afresh the demand for as well as the role and positioning of PT services other than heavy rail, and formulate policies on promoting the sustainable development of such services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

​     The Government published the Public Transport Strategy Study report (the Study Report) in June 2017, which examined the roles and positioning of various public transport services, including franchised buses, Light Rail, public light buses (PLBs), non-franchised buses (NFBs), taxis, trams and ferries, under further expansion of the heavy rail network. The Study Report affirmed that the prevailing roles and positioning of various public transport services remain valid, i.e. heavy rail is the backbone of the public transport system; franchised buses are road-based mass carriers; Light Rail is an important road-based and at-grade transport mode in Northwest New Territories; while the remaining public transport services play an important supplementary role, in particular serving areas inaccessible by railway and providing feeder services to railway.

​     My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Frankie Yick is as follows:

(1) Based on the data available at the time of the Study Report, it was estimated that the overall public transport passenger trips would increase from 12.6 million per day in 2016 to around 13.2 million per day in 2021. According to the latest provisional figures from the Transport Department (TD), the average daily patronage on public transport services in the first half of 2021 was much lower than the forecast in the Study Report due to the significant drop in the number of visitors to Hong Kong as a result of the COVID-19 and decrease in the number of commuters owing to various anti-epidemic and social distancing measures. The January 2021 figure was 8.5 million passenger trips while the June 2021 figure was 10.8 million passenger trips. As the epidemic situation stabilises in Hong Kong, we anticipate that demand for local public transport services will gradually increase and resume to near pre-epidemic level.

​     The distribution of passenger trips among different public transport services in the first half of 2021 is set out in the table below.
 

Public Transport Services	Distribution forecast of average daily patronage in 2021 under the Study Report (%)	Actual distribution of average daily patronage in the first half of 2021 (%)
Heavy Rail	39%	36%
Franchised buses (Note)	30%	35%
PLBs	15%	14%
Taxis	8%	7%
Light Rail	4%	4%
Trams	1%	1%
Ferries	1%	1%
NFBs providing residents’ services	2%	2%
Total	100%	100%

Note: For the purpose of the above table, the average daily patronage of franchised buses includes passengers of Mass Transit Railway (MTR) bus services.

(2) The Study Report set out 67 recommended measures to enhance the arrangement of public transport. As at August 2021, 44 measures have been successfully implemented, which include increasing the maximum seating capacity of PLBs, implementing the long-term operation model of outlying island ferry routes, replacing the tram tracks, relaxing the period required for holding a private car or light goods vehicle driving licence before a person can apply for a commercial driving licence, extending the validity period of PLB and taxi driver identity plates to ten years, encouraging public transport operators to provide more fare concessions as appropriate, etc. These measures help reinforce the roles played by various public transport services in the public transport system as well as promote the complementarity among different modes, so that the public can enjoy more efficient, convenient and diversified public transport services. The Government will continue to actively take forward the implementation of the remaining measures.

(3) The TD has been continuously enhancing the public transport network having regard to local developments, demographic changes, completion of transport infrastructure, and the operation and service levels of public transport services in the districts, etc. The MTR Corporation Limited currently operates bus service in the Northwest New Territories, plying between Light Rail and Tuen Ma Line stations, and some of the housing estates as well as rural areas in the district. With interchange concessions, passengers are provided with convenient and affordable, or even free, feeder services. At the same time, franchised bus and green minibus (GMB) operators also operate intra-district feeder routes or cross-district routes in the Northwest New Territories, providing different public transport options for passengers. The TD will continue to keep in view the change in public transport demand in various districts and formulate suitable public transport arrangements so as to meet passengers’ needs.

(4) The Government has been coordinating various public transport service arrangements to enhance the efficiency of the overall transport network and to avoid duplication of transport resources. The Study Report recommended that franchised bus companies may attempt to open up new services, including the introduction of new long-haul bus services on a trial basis, with a view to providing passengers with more diversified choices and meeting various needs of the community. In this regard, the TD and a franchised bus company introduced the routes P960 (Siu Hong Station (North) – Wan Chai (North)) and P968 (Yuen Long (West) – Causeway Bay (Tin Hau)) in July 2021 to provide passengers with more comfortable and speedier long-haul bus services. The bus compartments are also equipped with more passenger amenities. On the other hand, residents’ services play a supplementary role in the public transport system to serve passengers of individual residential developments with a view to relieving the demand for regular public transport services primarily during the peak hours and filling the service gaps which cannot be met by regular public transport services.

(5) The Study Report examined and affirmed that the roles and positioning of various public transport modes (such as PLBs, including GMBs) remain valid. GMBs provide supplementary feeder service in areas with relatively lower passenger demand or where the use of high-capacity transport modes is not suitable, such as operating shuttle routes between residential areas in New Territories with relatively lower population density and transport nodes.

​     The Study Report suggested the Government and the franchised bus companies examine the feasibility of introducing mid-sized single-deck buses, and conduct a trial of these buses to provide short-haul shuttle services in areas with relatively lower population density but with growth potential. The TD and the franchised bus companies have completed the relevant feasibility study, which indicates that there is currently no mid-sized single-deck bus model in the market that is suitable for use in Hong Kong, nor is there any bus route(s) suitable for deployment of mid-sized single-deck bus for the time being.

(6) The Chief Executive announced in the 2020 Policy Address that the Government would conduct a comprehensive Traffic and Transport Strategy Study (TTSS), which includes surveying the latest travel patterns of the public, making reference to and introducing suitable innovative transport modes and technologies to promote green transport and reduce emission with a view to making Hong Kong a more livable city. Besides, the TTSS will also explore the enhancement of public transport services and encourage the public to use public transport, thereby relieving the traffic congestion situation. Our goal is to set out forward-looking long-term traffic and transport strategies for ensuring that Hong Kong’s traffic and transport system will not only be safe, reliable, environmentally friendly and efficient in the future, but also be able to support the sustainable social and economic development of Hong Kong and facilitate the flow of people and goods in the Greater Bay Area.

​     At present, the TD is formulating the scope and the detailed arrangements of the TTSS and is planning to conduct a travel characteristics survey in 2022. Data collected from the survey will be used for enhancing the Comprehensive Transport Study Model in 2024. During the course of the entire study, the TD will conduct topical studies in parallel with a view to formulating future traffic and transport policies and implementing suitable traffic management strategies and measures. read more