13
福克
屈
HEN
Communications and Transport
DENSE urban development, an increasing population and the corresponding growth in the number of vehicles registered continued to place heavy demands on Hong Kong's transport system in 1981. Despite the completion of a number of major highways projects including the Wong Nei Chung Gap Road/Stubbs Road flyover and the Hill Road flyover on Hong Kong Island, the East Kowloon Way in Kowloon and the Tsuen Wan Bypass Stage I in the New Territories, traffic congestion still remained a problem. The question had become no longer whether restraint measures on road use were necessary but what would be the most effective and least inconvenienced form they should take, notwithstanding the completion of further major highways projects, the opening of the Tsuen Wan Extension of the Mass Transit Modified Initial System and the introduction of the Kowloon-Canton Railway electrified service in 1982.
Detailed planning on the Island Line of the Mass Transit Railway and the light rail system between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long also continued during the year. Studies on major transport problems were tackled with equal zeal. These include a further cross- harbour link to the new development areas in Junk Bay and Ma On Shan.
In order to solve the many immediate, medium and long term problems-of a highly technical and contentious nature, a new Transport Branch, headed by a Secretary for Transport, was set up in the Government Secretariat. At the same time the organisation of the Transport Department was put under review to provide it with sufficient resources and technical support to co-ordinate the implementation of policies.
Fare increases were granted to major bus and ferry companies and the tramway during the year to offset against increasing operating costs. The increase of bus fares gave rise to heated public reaction and had led to a full review on the cost effectiveness of the companies being undertaken by government with public representation. The purpose of the excrcise was to examine ways for economy in the bus operations to be made, with due regard to acceptable standards of service and passenger safety.
L
Government made an announcement in September to change the status of the Kowloon- Canton Railway from a government department to a public corporation. This was intended to enable the modernised railway - which will start its first phase of electrified services up to Sha Tin in the spring of 1982 to be run more efficiently according to commercial principles. A transitional Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Board will be set up to undertake the necessary preparatory work leading to the eventual setting up of the substantive Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation before the end of 1982 when the railway would be fully electrified.
Public Transport
The density and variety of Hong Kong's public transport services are probably unequalled