-
29
-
(a) The provision of public transport has not lagged behind demand. On the contrary, new services and major improvements have been introduced in the past ten years. The MTR Island Line came into operation in 1985, the LRT system commenced in 1988, and the MTR extended its services from Lam Tin to Quarry Bay via the Eastern Harbour Crossing in 1989. In addition, the number of franchised bus routes rose from 275 to 469 and the number of GMB routes from 109 to 231. During this period, 18% of the franchised bus fleet and all PLBs and taxis have been air conditioned.
(b)
I do not agree that the tremendous increase in private car ownership experienced in recent years has been caused by inadequacies in our public transport system. The fact is that public transport in Hong Kong remains one of the best and most efficient in the world. As has been the case elsewhere, the growth in car ownership is mainly related to increases in real income. Private car usage will always be more comfortable and convenient than public transport, and if people can afford it, they will aspire to own cars.
Mr President, I wish to assure Honourable Members that the Administration is not complacent and, indeed, this is demonstrated by firm plans to further expand and upgrade public transport services. For example, the recently announced Railway Development Strategy provides a blueprint for the expansion of our rail systems. Meanwhile, both rail corporations are investing in new signalling equipment to increase train frequencies as well as in station improvements. The franchised bus companies will spend some $500 million on new buses in the next 12 months. And further improvements will be made to ferry services to service the North West New Territories and the outlying islands.
End/Wednesday, January 25, 1995