ENG-2006 — Page 297

Transport 245

studies new railway proposals, monitors their construction and helps to resolve any interface problems they may have with other works projects.

The Hong Kong Police Force is the principal agency for enforcing traffic legislation and prosecuting offenders. The Prosecutions Unit of the Transport Department handles prosecutions involving disqualification under the Driving Offence Points System, investigation of and enforcement against unauthorised non-franchised bus services and breaches of vehicle safety regulations, government tunnel regulations and Tsing Ma Control Area regulations.

Transport Tribunals, set up under the Road Traffic Ordinance with a chairman and members appointed from among members of the public, provide 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, vehicle emission testing centres, driving schools and driving improvement schools. The Transport Department also operates an Emergency Transport Coordination Centre, which handles traffic and transport incidents and provides a focal point for liaison with other government departments and public transport operators on traffic and transport arrangements.

Transport Strategy and Policy Objectives

The Government helps to provide a safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly transport system that meets the economic, social and recreational needs of the community, and is capable of supporting sustainable development in Hong Kong. It does this by:

expanding and improving the transport infrastructure in a timely manner;

• improving the quality and coordination of public transport services; and

• managing road use to reduce congestion and promote safety.

The Government also ensures these objectives are achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner by seeking and supporting environmental improvement measures in transport-related areas.

It has drawn up long-term transport strategies that ensure a safe, efficient and reliable transport system on the basis of the Third Comprehensive Transport Study. The transport objectives as promulgated in 'Hong Kong Moving Ahead: A Transport Strategy for the Future' include:

⚫ better integration of transport and land use planning;

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

• better public transport services and facilities;

• better use of advanced technologies in transport management; and

• better environmental protection.