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Transport
The pedestrian link at Tsz Wan Shan is under construction. Six out of 15 work items have been completed and opened for public use, while seven of the 15 items are scheduled for completion by end-2016. The Yuet Wah Street pedestrian linkage was also substantially completed and was opened for public use in October 2015.
Improving the Pedestrian Environment
The government is taking forward pedestrian environment improvement schemes in Yuen Long. Under the Yuen Long Town Pedestrian Environment Improvement Scheme, all nine minor schemes, such as improvement of pedestrian crossings and widening of footpaths, have been completed. Detailed design of a proposed elevated pedestrian corridor along Yuen Long Town Nullah will soon start. Further investigations are under way for a proposed footbridge system in Mong Kok.
Universal Accessibility Programme
Where technically feasible, the government has been installing barrier-free access facilities, such as lifts or ramps, at public footbridges, elevated walkways and subways maintained by the Highways Department for years. Lifts or standard ramps will be retrofitted for existing public walkways that are not equipped with standard barrier-free access facilities and have no crossing facilities at the road level within about 100 metres. Out of the remaining 150 retrofitting works items, 25 items were completed as at end-December 2015.
A Universal Accessibility programme launched in August 2012 aims to further enhance barrier- free access facilities at public walkways maintained by the Highways Department. The government is taking forward lift retrofitting works for three public walkways in each of the 18 District Councils for priority implementation. Technical feasibility studies for the works have been largely completed. The detailed design for those items confirmed to be technically feasible and supported by the District Councils are under way. The retrofitting works concerned have started progressively.
Maritime transport
Domestic Ferries
Ferries provide essential transport links to outlying islands where no land transport system is available. They also offer an alternative transport service to and from the inner harbour and other areas in Hong Kong.
At the year end, 14 franchised and licensed ferry operators were running 21 regular passenger ferry services and dangerous goods vehicular ferry services, and two special services for the harbour and for trips to the new towns and outlying islands. These were supplemented by 70 kaito ferry services, which provide services to relatively remote areas. Ferries recorded a daily average of about 65,400 passenger trips within the harbour and about 68,600 passenger trips to and from the outlying islands.
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