XN000022-1995-02-15 — Page 51

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Tuen Mun Road traffic

Following is a question by the Hon Alfred Tso Shiu-wai and a reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The findings of a survey indicate that during rush hours along the Tuen Mun Highway, buses account for 11% of the total traffic volume while private cars make up 47%. Also, according to my own on-site observation, over 70% of the private cars carry only one to two passengers, which is not in accordance with the principle of efficient use of roads. Under the bus-only lane pilot scheme which the Transport Department plans to implement during rush hours along the Tuen Mun Highway from 11th March this year, one-third of the road space will be reserved for the exclusive use of buses and the remaining two-thirds for other vehicles. This is also likely to result in serious traffic congestion. In the light of this, will the Government inform this council whether:

(a)

(b)

(c)

it has any specific plan to encourage private car owners living in New Territories West to use their cars more efficiently when they drive to urban districts, such as mounting a publicity campaign to encourage private car owners to 'give a lift' to their friends and neighbours;

it will take positive steps to develop 'point-to-point' express air- conditioned bus and green minibus services running from various housing/HOS estates in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long to MTR stations in urban districts, as well as to revise existing policies so as to allow public light buses (PLBs) to use the Tuen Mun Highway and bus-only lanes in order to encourage private car owners to travel by PLBs; and

it will provide more funds for the establishment of a permanent traffic management team responsible for the day-to-day management of traffic along the Tuen Mun Highway?