CHAPTER 13
Transport
Twelve million commuter trips are made in Hong Kong every day. Nine out of ten trips are made on public transport. With an accident fatality rate of 0.026 per 1 000 population, Hong Kong has one of the safest road networks in the world. The number of fatal accidents in 2002 - 162 was the lowest in the past 43 years.
WITH a growing population and continuous development, moving people and goods around in Hong Kong has always been a great challenge. The Government has to ensure that this is carried out in accordance with sustainable development principles. It involves the planning and implementation of the further expansion and improvement of the transport infrastructure, with emphasis on railways; further promoting the use of public transport services by maintaining their quality and improving their coordination; effectively managing road use to reduce congestion and promote safety; and continuing to support environmental improvement measures in transport-related areas.
Three of the six existing bus franchises are due to expire in mid-2003. They are the franchises of Citybus Limited (Airport and North Lantau bus network), Long Win Bus Company Limited and New World First Bus Services Limited. These three bus companies have proved that they are capable of providing proper and efficient bus services and are willing to invest to improve their operation. In line with the practice in considering applications by existing operators for new franchises, each of the three bus companies has been granted a new franchise of about 10 years, which will commence upon expiry of the relevant existing franchise.
There were significant achievements in railway development in 2002. The Tseung Kwan O Extension project was completed by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and opened in August, four months ahead of the original schedule. The MTRCL also continued its platform screen door retrofitting works at six stations. between Prince Edward and Admiralty for completion by 2003. Meanwhile, the West Rail project of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) was on target for completion in 2003 while the KCRC's Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link and the Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui Extension were making good progress. Both projects are targeted for completion in 2004. Construction of the MTRCL's Penny's Bay Rail Link has commenced and is targeted for completion in 2005. In June, the Government decided to proceed with the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line with a view to completing the project before mid-2007 to meet the growing demands of cross- boundary passenger traffic and to ease congestion at Lo Wu.
239