ENG-2000 — Page 295

TRANSPORT

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 2000.

Policy Objective and Transport Strategy

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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expanding and improving the transport infrastructure in a timely manner;

improving the quality and co-ordination of public transport services; and

managing road use to reduce congestion and promote safety.

In pursuing the transport objective of facilitating the mobility of people and goods in Hong Kong, the Government also needs to ensure that this is achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner. This is done by seeking and supporting environmental improvement measures in transport-related areas.

The very objective of the comprehensive Transport Strategy promulgated by the Government in October 1999 is to ensure that the same safe, efficient and reliable transport system is not only maintained in the years ahead but also improved significantly.

The Transport Strategy seeks to achieve the policy objective by:

• better integration of transport and land use planning;

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better use of railways as the backbone of the passenger transport system;

⚫ better public transport services and facilities;

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better use of advanced technologies in transport management; and

⚫ better environmental protection.

Railway Development and RDS-2000

Railways play a key role in the above '5-betters' strategy as they are safe, efficient, reliable, comfortable and environmentally friendly mass carriers. The Government's policy is to accord priority to railway development.

About $100 billion has been committed to six new railways scheduled for completion in the next two to five years. They are the West Rail, the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension, the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link, the KCR Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and the Penny's Bay Rail Link.

To meet Hong Kong's increasing transport needs in a sustainable manner for the next two decades, the Government has formulated a 'Railway Development Strategy 2000' (RDS-2000) based on the findings of the Second Railway Development Study. RDS-2000 maps out a blueprint for the next phase of railway development.

A further $80 billion to $100 billion will be invested to complete six additional new projects between 2008 and 2016 under this new phase of railway expansion. These

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