ENG-1980 — Page 227

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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

During the year, amendments were made to the road traffic legislation to allow for an increase in taxi fares and the metrication of taxi meters. A general review of all road traffic legislation was nearing completion at the end of the year and revised legislation was expected to be enacted early in 1981.

Public Transport Management and Planning

With the exception of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, all transport services are maintained and managed by non-government undertakings. However, in most cases, the Commissioner for Transport exercises controls over the schedules of services and fares and provides trans- port-related needs such as bus terminals, ferry piers and land for depots. Close contact is maintained between the operators and the Transport Department to co-ordinate the wide- range of services provided.

Major studies for long-term transport planning needs are usually undertaken by con- sultants, particularly if they concern largescale development or redevelopment projects. During 1980, studies were in progress to consider the future transport requirements of the new towns under construction in the New Territories; access to North Lantau; additional cross-harbour links; integration of the MTR into the overall public transport system; and the transport system for the Hong Kong Island Corridor. These studies by consultants are monitored by government steering or working groups.

For shorter-term transport planning, the Transport Department Planning Division and the PWD Traffic and Transport Survey Division undertake surveys and economic and statis- tical work in order to solve immediate and short-term problems.

In view of Hong Kong's high population density, a major consideration in all transport planning is to ensure that due emphasis is placed upon the role played, and to be played, by public transport as the dominant mode of transport. Accordingly, arrangements were made during 1980 to accelerate Hong Kong's bus-purchasing programme to record levels. Over the next five years, it is anticipated that some 500 new double-decker buses - ordered by all three of the franchised bus operators - will enter service each year. Less conventional modes of public transport are also examined. There is a distinct possibility that ultra- modern, high-capacity trams will make an appearance in Tuen Mun new town (and travel from there to Yuen Long), and various rail proposals are under consideration for both the urban areas and the New Territories.

Licensing

The number of registered vehicles continued to rise in 1980 reaching 299,395 by the end of the year. Compared with 1979, this was an increase of 38,467 vehicles, or 15 per cent. The bulk of the increase was in private cars, some 27,384 of which were registered during the year. Detailed statistics are given in Appendix 36.

Registration procedures for motor vehicles were computerised when the second stage of the VALID (Vehicle And Licensing Integrated Data) system came into operation in the course of the year. This new system enables swift checking of vehicle records by the police and transport departments.

The demand for driving licences remained high and, by the end of 1980, the total number of licences held by Hong Kong residents was 695,084, compared with 642,860 in 1979.

During 1980 the Transport Department's five vehicle examination centres carried out 66,499 inspections. Most were in connection with the registration and licensing of vehicles, including goods vehicles first registered before 1971, which became subject to compulsory annual examination from October 1, 1979, when the Road Traffic (Amendment) (No. 3)