15 TRANSPORT
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REGISTRATIONS of new private cars fell during the first half of 1995, but traffic congestion remains a concern. Hong Kong faces the challenge of persuading an increasingly affluent community to continue using public transport instead of buying private cars. Levels of private car ownership in Hong Kong are low compared with other places, and the potential for growth is enormous. Given the obvious geographical constraints on new road building, particularly in the urban area, unrestrained growth in car numbers and usage will inevitably lead to traffic gridlock.
Against this background, the Working Group on Measures to Address Traffic Congestion published its report in late 1994, as a basis for public consultation. It reaffirmed the government's commitment to continued substantial investment in transport infrastructure and to extending and improving public transport services. It also proposed measures aimed at tackling traffic congestion. Public consultation on the report ended on February 28, 1995. There was general public support for introducing electronic road pricing as an important measure to combat traffic congestion. A feasibility study will start in 1996.
The government decided not to increase the First Registration Tax or Annual Licence Fee on private cars, but to prepare for the implementation of such measures if the rate of growth in private car numbers again rises significantly beyond the acceptable level of two to three per cent a year. In addition, preparations would be made for the imposition of passage tax at the Eastern Harbour Crossing should this become necessary. Tax concessions would be withdrawn from company cars, which otherwise form an incentive to growth in the private car fleet. More traffic management measures would be introduced, for example, giving greater priority to buses in the use of road space and establishing stricter controls over goods vehicle loading and unloading. A nine-kilometre, bus-only lane has already been introduced in Tuen Mun Road during the morning peak hours.
A total of $30 billion will be spent on new roads up to the year 2000. These projects include improvements to Lung Cheung and Ching Cheung Roads, the Ting Kau Bridge, the Hung Hom Bypass and Princess Margaret Road Link, the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link, and road projects under the Airport Core Programme.
After the announcement of the Railway Development Strategy in December 1994, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) was invited to submit a proposal for building the Western Corridor Railway from the border to West Kowloon. It is planned that this railway should include a freight line, a cross-border passenger service and a domestic passenger service for residents of the North-West