ENG-2011 — Page 311

Transport 267

with LPG or electricity-driven vehicles were implemented between August 2002 and December 2005. Almost all taxis and 65 per cent of PLBS have switched to LPG.

Another incentive scheme was introduced between April 2007 and March 2010 (Note: the application deadline in respect of some 1 400 applications had been extended to March 2011 with the approval of Environmental Protection Department) to encourage replacement of Pre-Euro and Euro I diesel commercial vehicles with more environmentally friendly ones to comply with prevailing emission standards. By the end of March 2011 when the scheme was ended, a total of about 17 100 applications had been approved. The scheme had also been extended to cover replacement of Euro Il diesel commercial vehicles from July 2010 for a period of three years to June 2013. By year-end, about 2 600 applications had been approved. In addition, a reduction in first registration tax has been offered to new buyers of environmentally friendly commercial vehicles. As at year-end, about 5 900 applications had been processed.

The environmental impact of new transport projects, during both their construction and operation phases, is also monitored closely. Environmental mitigation measures are implemented where necessary to reduce this impact.

To make it easier for people to make their way through busy and congested roads, pedestrian schemes have been introduced to reduce pedestrian congestion in a number of streets. These schemes have been implemented in Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point, the Peak, Stanley, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long and Sheung Shui.

They have been well received by the public, and more will be introduced, including conversion to traffic calming streets, or streets converted to accommodate wider footpaths and fewer parking spaces and to slow down passing vehicles, of the sections of Saigon Street between Shanghai Street and Parkes Street, Ning Po Street between Shanghai Street and Nathan Road, Pak Hoi Street between Shanghai Street and Nathan Road, and Kweilin Street between Yu Chau Street and Un Chau Street.

In addition, studies on improving the environment for pedestrians in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Yuen Long were continuing. The preliminary studies for Causeway Bay and Mong Kok have been completed.

The Highways Department is carrying out a technical feasibility study on alignment options for the proposed subway system in Causeway Bay. The department is also carrying out a technical feasibility study for extending the footbridge system in Mong Kok. Engineering studies for developing conceptual ideas for improving the pedestrian environment in Yuen Long Town have been completed. The public had been consulted on the matter.

Cross-boundary Traffic

Overall Cross-boundary Traffic

Cross-boundary vehicular traffic decreased by about 0.6 per cent in 2011 compared with the previous year, averaging 42 800 vehicles a day, whereas the total