146
Administration
TRANSPORT
The Transport Branch, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for overall policy formulation and the direction and co-ordination of all transport matters. In discharging this responsibility, the Secretary for Transport is assisted on major transport issues by the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) which advises the Governor-in- Council on transport policies. The TAC, chaired by an unofficial, has 11 unofficial and six official members. Internally, the Secretary for Transport is advised by the Transport Policy Co-ordinating Committee (TPCC), of which he is chairman.
The Transport Department is responsible for carrying out policy and for regulation of much of Hong Kong's internal transport system. The Commissioner for Transport, who heads the Transport Department, is the statutory authority under the Road Traffic Ordinance and under other legislation dealing with public transport operations other than railways. As such, he is responsible for road traffic management - including government road tunnels, car parks and metered parking spaces and for the regulation of internal road and waterborne public transport. On these matters, he is advised by the Standing Conference on Road Use and the Standing Committee on Waterborne Transport. He is also responsible for the licensing of drivers and vehicles.
A Transport Tribunal, chaired by an unofficial and set up under the Road Traffic Ordinance, provides members of the public with an avenue for the review of certain decisions made by the Commissioner for Transport, for instance, with regard to hire car permits and the suspension of vehicle licences.
The Highways Office of the Engineering Development Department is responsible for the design and building of all highways and roads, and their repair and maintenance. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force enforces traffic legislation and prosecutes offenders.
Legislation
The task of overhauling the existing Road Traffic Ordinance was completed on August 9, 1983, when the Executive Council approved seven sets of regulations under a new Road Traffic Ordinance which was enacted in December 1982. This new legislation, which is simpler and better structured, will greatly strengthen and streamline the administration of Hong Kong's roads and traffic when it is brought into effect in 1984.
In addition, the Road Traffic (Driving-Offence Points) Ordinance was enacted on June 8 and will come into force at the same time as the new road traffic legislation. Its aim is to promote safer driving and more considerate use of the roads. Also in connection with road safety, legislation was enacted to make the wearing of seat belts in private cars compulsory with effect from October 1, 1983, and to require the fitting of seat belts in light buses and taxis as from January 1, 1984. From June 1, newly registered vehicles were required to fit reflecting number plates, and vehicles already registered were given a grace period of two years to make the switch to such plates.
Drafting work continued on amendments to the Public Omnibus Services Ordinance which will help the franchised bus companies to meet more effectively the ever-changing public transport needs of Hong Kong. It will also provide the Commissioner for Transport with wider authority in monitoring and regulating the services of the franchised bus companies.
Improvements to the Road Network
With a traffic density of 270 registered vehicles per kilometre - thought to be the highest in the world - improvement of the road network in Hong Kong is a continuous commitment. During the year, good progress was made in the road building programme with several