ENG-1995 — Page 274

TRANSPORT

New Territories. Similarly, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) has been invited to submit a proposal to extend its line to Tseung Kwan O New Town. The government is also considering a third priority railway project—extending the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui while building a new line from Ma On Shan to Tai Wai.

The Transport Department is pressing ahead with plans to improve the capacity and safety of existing road networks. This includes the continued upgrading of area traffic control systems, introduction of traffic surveillance and information systems, and the implementation of more traffic management schemes. Stricter drink-driving legislation was brought into operation at the end of the year, backed by a publicity campaign aimed at persuading motorists not to drive after drinking alcohol. The installation of cameras at traffic-light-controlled junctions has deterred motorists who ignore the signals, and is being extended.

A franchise was awarded during the year to a private consortium for the construction and operation of the Route 3 (Country Park Section). This will be completed in mid-1998. Together with the Ting Kau Bridge, also under construction, it will provide a greatly improved access from the border to the urban area, including the container port.

Work on constructing major transport links between the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and the urban area proceeded smoothly. An operator will be contracted to manage and maintain the Tsing Ma Control Area. This control area — a 17- kilometre highway system with four bridges, a tunnel and expressways linking the urban area and the new airport will be covered by a single traffic control and

surveillance system.

The China Motor Bus Company was granted a new three-year franchise from September 1, 1995, but 14 of its former routes have been allocated to Citybus Ltd. At the same time, amendments were made to the Public Bus Services Ordinance to give the government the necessary powers to deal with emergencies and maintain bus services should a franchised bus company cease to operate.

The Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Company Ltd will be permitted to undertake commercial development above its new piers in Central District as a means of generating funds to improve ferry services, to cover ferry operating losses and to limit ferry fare increases to the rate of inflation.

The Administrative Framework

The Transport Branch of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for overall policy formulation, direction and co-ordination of internal transport matters. The Secretary is assisted by the Transport Advisory Committee, which advises the Governor in Council on major transport policies and issues. The committee has 15 appointed members, including the chairman and six government officials, and is supported by a Transport Complaints Unit, which received 13 847 complaint cases on traffic and transport matters in 1995. On local transport matters, the government is advised by the district boards, and their traffic and transport committees.

The Commissioner for Transport, as head of the Transport Department, is the authority for administering the Road Traffic Ordinance and legislation regulating public transport operations other than railways. His responsibilities cover strategic

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