TRANSPORT
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proposed
Planning for the Future Long-term planning studies are periodically carried out to chart broad directions for detailed studies to meet transport needs in the short and medium term. Earlier studies have new transport infrastructure or modifications to existing administrative and operational transport policies. Recently, it has been recognised that in a place of rapid urban growth such as Hong Kong, transport problems can be eased by the development of a coherent urban growth strategy. The Land Use Transport Optimisation Study, completed in 1984 by an inter-departmental specialist team, has developed a computer model and used it to integrate the strategic planning of land development and transport infrastructure. The results formed the basis of the government's decision on long-term development strategy announced in July. In addition, two regional studies, a study of the transportation requirements of the Mid-levels and Central District and the traffic study for North Kowloon, were completed. Their results formed the basis for the provision of transport infrastructure in these regions. Studies are also underway to review and update travel demand forecasts in Tai Po and Junk Bay New Towns.
The Transport Department is responsible for carrying out traffic and transport studies and for conducting transport-related economic and statistical analyses. During the year, a study to forecast public transport requirements in the Kowloon-Canton Railway corridor areas of the New Territories was completed. Its main purpose was to integrate the services provided by the buses and the railway in the corridor, taking into account the capacity of the modern- ised railway. A major update of the traffic demand forecasts for the Tuen Mun Transport Plan was also completed, and the updating of travel forecasts produced by the Hong Kong Comprehensive Transport Study and the East Kowloon Traffic Study was in progress.
During the year, an inter-departmental group completed further studies on cross- harbour tunnel facilities and made recommendations to the Governor in Council on a second fixed harbour crossing.
New Town Development
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To ensure that an efficient and integrated public transport system is provided for each of the new towns in the New Territories, comprehensive transport studies are carried out. Most of the new town transport plans reflect the twin policy objectives of economical use of roads and priority development of off-road systems.
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Accessibility to Sha Tin, Tai Po and Fanling New Towns has been substantially improved by the full electrification of the Kowloon-Canton Railway to Lo Wu. Tsuen Wan New Town continued to be well served by the Mass Transit Railway, while detailed planning of the proposed LRT system for the western New Territories is proceeding following the Kowloon- Canton Railway Corporation's agreement in principle to construct and operate the system.
Although a large volume of traffic in the new towns is served by railway systems, bus services will continue to play an important role throughout the territory by complementing the rail systems, providing feeder services and catering for demand outside the railway corridors. The significant role of ferry services in the further development of Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and Junk Bay will continue. A new permanent ferry pier with associated interchange facilities on the Tsuen Wan Bay reclamation was opened in late 1984. A similar facility in Tuen Mun will open in 1986.
Improvement and Expansion of Public Transport
The expansion and improvement of public transport is one of the principal elements in the government's policy of enhancing the mobility of the population.