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Transport Policy
HONG KONG TRANSPORT
Hong Kong, with its dense population and its difficult geograph- ical terrain, has a particularly strong need for an efficient trans- port system. The Governor has a Transport Advisory Council to advise him on matters of transport policy to improve the movement of people and freight. The Government recognises the need to maintain and improve public transport and had encouraged the development of a wide variety of modes of transport to meet Hong Kong's traffic needs with the minimum of Government regulation. There has been uninterrupted growth in public transport since the end of World War II which still continues. Public transport is not subsidised.
ROAD TRANSPORT
Highways
Hong Kong has one of the highest densities of road traffic in the world. The Government began a major trunk road building programme in 1968: it has slowed down over the past 18 months, but about one half of the 126m high quality road network planned has now been built. Kuch of the network is elevated or in tunnel, because of difficult terrain and dense development.
Road Safety
The road accident record is depressingly bad, even allowing for the dense traffic (in 1977 it was seven times as bad as the UK's and 5 times as bad as Japan's). Hitherto there has been no systematic investigation of accidents but the Government now proposes to set up
The TCC a Road Safety Division in the Public Works Department. Overseas Unit has helped the authorities decide how to tackle the accident problem. The FD has asked DTp to help fill key posts in the new Division and to train junior staff.
Buses
There are two major bus companies, both privately owned, which Both make a profit. between them carry nearly 3m passengers daily.
The Hong Kong Government faces continual criticism of the service
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