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Electronic Road Pricing
Let me now turn to some of the specific proposals and highlight the administration's thinking. Our ultimate aim is to manage the use of road space, rather than deny people the opportunity to own a car, hence the proposal to implement electronic road pricing or ERP. The Administration welcomes the widespread public support for the scheme. Initially, such a scheme need not apply to private cars only but, if necessary, other types of vehicles can be covered, for example as a means of encouraging goods vehicles to make deliveries in off peak hours. Contrary to what some respondents have suggested, it is not a prerequisite for ERP to have alternative routes available to motorists. However we will need to continue to improve public transport services to provide a transport mode for those who choose not to drive their cars following the introduction of ERP.
It is clear from the results of the consultation exercise that earlier public fears that ERP might intrude into their privacy have now been overcome as a result of the advanced technology now available. There is a broad measure of community support for technical studies for ERP and the introduction of pilot schemes. ERP has not so far been introduced anywhere else in the world and there is no reason why Hong Kong should not take the lead. But it will take 2 or 3 years to develop and implement a full system. This will be given the highest priority. We propose to initiate a technical consultancy on ERP in the next few months at a cost of $15 million. This will result in the introduction of pilot schemes prior to a full ERP system. The Democratic and Liberal Parties, as well as others, have pointed out that operational aspects of any ERP scheme have to be carefully drawn up. This will certainly be examined in the consultancy study. But to do nothing in the interim while we await ERP would be wholly irresponsible and would affect every member of the community, especially the 90% of the public who rely on public transport for daily travel. If we simply wait for ERP, we can all expect more delays and slower journeys.
Tunnel Tolls
Tunnel tolls are a form of road pricing and I therefore find it difficult to understand why, with such widespread support for the user-pays principle, there is disagreement over the proposal to increase tunnel tolls. I know what the Honourable Miriam Lau has said that this may be because there is no alternative choice. But I do not necessarily agree with this. Others have argued that a $10 increase in tunnel tolls would be ineffective. And indeed there has been support from some quarters that even stiffer increases should be levied. An increase in tunnel tolls may well encourage car pooling or a switch to public transport. We must therefore evaluate this option very carefully. In this respect one view expressed is that the additional revenue from tunnel tolls should also go into the proposed transport fund. The Administration is prepared to consider this.
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