ENG-1999 — Page 299

TRANSPORT

The right to operate two new packages of franchised bus routes in new development areas in Tin Shui Wai and Tseung Kwan O was awarded in November to Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited and New World First Bus Services Limited respectively following a selection process.

Administrative Framework

The Transport Bureau of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for overall policy formulation, direction and co-ordination of land transport and ferry services. The Secretary is assisted by the Transport Advisory Committee, which advises the Chief Executive in Council on major transport policies and issues. The committee has 15 appointed members, including the chairman and three government officials, and is supported by a Transport Complaints Unit, which received 10 981 complaint cases on traffic and transport matters in 1999. The bureau also has regular dialogue with the Legislative Council's Panel on Transport. From 2000 the Government will be advised on local transport matters by the new district councils, and their traffic and transport committees.

The bureau is supported by the Transport Department, which is headed by the Commissioner for Transport. The department is the authority for administering the Road Traffic Ordinance and legislation regulating public transport operations. Its responsibilities cover transport planning, road traffic and tunnel management, car- parks and metered parking spaces, regulation of roads, railways and waterborne public transport, licensing of drivers and the registration, licensing and inspection of vehicles.

The Hong Kong Police Force is the principal agency for enforcing traffic legislation and prosecuting offenders. The Prosecutions Section of the Transport Department handles prosecutions involving safety defects on buses, disqualification under the Driving Offence Points System, and breaches of vehicle safety regulations, government tunnel regulations and Tsing Ma Control Area regulations.

A Transport Tribunal, set up under the Road Traffic Ordinance with a chairman and members appointed from among the public, provides a channel of appeal against decisions made by the Commissioner for Transport in respect of the registration and licensing of vehicles, the issue of hire car permits and passenger service licences, and the designation of car-testing centres.

The Transport Department also operates an Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre which provides a focal point for liaison with public transport operators on traffic and transport arrangements during serious traffic and transport disruptions, rainstorms and typhoons. It undertook 14 operations in 1999.

The Director of Highways heads the Highways Department, which is responsible for the overall design and construction of highways, and their repair and maintenance. The department also studies new railway proposals, monitors their construction, and helps to resolve any interfacing problems they may have with the highway network.

Policy Objective and CTS-3

The Government aims to provide a safe, efficient and reliable transport system which meets the economic, social and recreational needs of the community, and is capable of supporting sustainability and future development of Hong Kong. It does this by:

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