ENG-2000 — Page 294

TRANSPORT

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System also commenced in June. The review is aimed at mapping out a blueprint for the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems in Hong Kong and to explore possible public and private collaboration in this area.

On ferry services, with the approval of the Commissioner for Transport, New World First Ferry Services Limited took over the licences for eight outlying island, new town and inner harbour routes from the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited and commenced service on January 15.

A number of legislative amendments were made in 2000 to promote road safety. The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving has been prohibited since July. Newly qualified motorcyclists have been subject to additional restrictions such as the speed at which they could travel under a probationary driving licence scheme introduced in October. Penalties for speeding by over 30 km/h beyond the legal limit have been raised as a deterrent. The requirement to fit and wear seat-belts will be extended to the rear seats of taxis from January 2001.

Administrative Framework

The Transport Bureau of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for the 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 16 appointed members, including the chairman and three government officials, and is supported by a Transport Complaints Unit, which received 11 073 complaints and suggestions on traffic and transport matters in 2000. The bureau also has regular dialogue with the Legislative Council's Panel on Transport. On local transport matters, the Government is advised by the District Councils and their traffic and transport committees.

The bureau is supported by the Transport and the Highways Departments. The Transport Department is headed by the Commissioner for Transport. The Highways Department is headed by the Director of Highways. The Transport 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, carparks and metered parking spaces, regulation of roads, railways and waterborne public transport, licensing of drivers and the registration, licensing and inspection of vehicles. The Highways Department 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 resolve any interfacing problems they may have with the highway network.

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