XN000022-1996-02-14 — Page 19

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Buses park overnight at housing estates

Following is a question by the Hon Cheng Ka-foo and a reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The Traffic and Transport Committee of the Southern District Board has passed a motion urging the Government to forbid the China Motor Bus Co Ltd (CMB) and Citybus Ltd to have their buses parked overnight at the bus terminals in public and private housing estates in the Southern District in order to avoid causing nuisance to nearby residents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it will put into effect the measure mentioned above in the Southern District; and if so, whether similar measure will be implemented at the bus terminals in public and private housing estates in other districts?

Reply:

Mr President,

In response to the motion passed by the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Southern District Board in November 1995, the Transport Department has conducted a comprehensive review of the overnight parking of buses at terminals in the Southern District.

The findings were submitted to the Traffic and Transport Committee last month following which it accepted that arrangements for overnight parking of buses at 3 out of the 4 terminals can be continued. The exception is the Ap Lei Chau Bus Terminal because of its very close proximity to housing blocks. The parking of buses overnight at this terminal will cease before the end of March this year. With the agreement of the Committee, the buses so displaced will instead be parked overnight along the section of the Heung Yip Road in the Wong Chuk Hang industrial area. particular problem has therefore been solved.

This

The overnight parking of buses at terminals, and at some on-street locations, is a long standing practice necessitated by operational needs. The bus companies must first obtain the specific approval from the Commissioner for Transport who in turn consults the relevant District Board and government departments concerned before granting permission. All District Boards are aware of these arrangements.

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