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Some Members have continued to plead that we should build more roads. I make no apology for stressing, once again, that we can never hope to build our way out of congestion. In reading a recent article, I have learnt that transport theorists have coined a new phrase for the phenomenon experienced in major cities when new roads are built. They call it "triple convergence" because when a new road is opened, what happens is that it immediately draws extra rush hour traffic :-
a)
b)
c)
first from drivers who formerly used alternative routes;
second from drivers who formerly commuted during off peak periods, and
third from drivers who formerly relied on mass transport.
We have proof of this theory right here in Hong Kong. Route 6 from Sha Tin to the Eastern part of Hong Kong Island, via Tate's Cairn Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing was completed in 1991 and reached capacity 2 years later. Ridership on the KCR dropped significantly in the same period. More roads means more cars. Of course this does not mean that we should not build more roads. In fact we are committed to the biggest road building programme in the territory's history, with $30 billion to be spent over the next 5 years.
In response to a point made by one Member, let me make it clear that our success in attracting private sector investment for transport infrastructure, for example the Western Harbour Crossing and the Route 3 (Country Park Section), has not and will not be used as an excuse for reducing expenditure on roads under the Public Works Programme. Let me set the record straight. The overall reduction in expenditure on transport in the 1995/96 estimates was due entirely to the fact that spending on many Airport Core Projects has peaked. Expenditure on non ACP projects will actually rise by almost 30% in the coming year.
In particular I am glad that we have been able to make progress with the Duplicate Tsing Yi South Bridge. We will be approaching Finance Committee within the next couple of months for funds, so that work can start on the project at the end of this year. The bridge should be completed some time in 1998.
I have noted Members' concerns about the need for providing more parking facilities. This is being addressed through the Parking Demand Study, which is now expected to be completed by the middle of the year. I fully support the "park and ride" concept and we will see how best this can be implemented. But the difficulties in finding suitable sites in urban areas is a constraint and should be recognised. Also it would be naive to regard the provision of better parking facilities as the ultimate solution to the congestion problem, although of course this may be beneficial in some respects.