ENG-1986 — Page 220

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Transport

TOGETHER with the growth of economic and building activity, Hong Kong's transport authorities have always to ensure that there are sufficient means for the smooth movement of people and goods throughout the territory.

This is in line with the government's policy of continuing to develop the road and rail networks and public transport services, and of managing and co-ordinating the operation of the transport system to a high degree of efficiency and productivity.

Transport planning is, therefore, a never-ending process, involving studies and projec- tions which must deal with existing requirements and also look into the future.

A major consideration has been the need to cope with the vast movements of people from the metropolitan areas to the new towns in the New Territories. This task has been heightened in recent years by China's open door economic policy, which has brought about a greater flow of people and goods across the border.

To replace a now somewhat outdated 1976 Comprehensive Transport Study, which provides projections up to 1991, a new study has begun which will develop a transport investment programme and propose policies up to the year 2001.

In port development and shipping services, Hong Kong, which has one of the most perfect natural harbours in the world, has continued to meet efficiently the demands of an increasing number of ship arrivals and to cope with a growth in both the volume of cargo handled and number of passengers.

In addition, the Marine Department, which administers the port, completed, in co- operation with other government departments, a Port Development Strategy Study in May, 1986. The study provides a strategy and development programme, also up to 2001.

In civil aviation, Hong Kong entered a new and important era with the signing, on September 17, of the Hong Kong/Netherlands Air Service Agreement. It is the first of a series of air service agreements governing the operation of scheduled air services which Hong Kong plans to conclude in the coming years to replace existing arrangements relating to Hong Kong made between the United Kingdom and second-country governments.

Administration

The responsibility for overall policy formulation and the direction and co-ordination of all transport matters rests with the Transport Branch of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport. In discharging this responsibility, the Secretary for Transport is joined on major issues by the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), which advises the Governor in Council on transport policies. The TAC has 11 appointed members, including the chairman, and six official members. The Transport Policy Co- ordinating Committee, which advises on the co-ordination of policies, is made up wholly of official members and is chaired by the Secretary for Transport.