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The Transport Advisory Committee discussed the public transport arrangements at Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line at its meeting today (January 22).
"The construction of the spur line is nearing completion, and the new boundary crossing is scheduled for opening around mid-2007.
"We are pleased to note that a public transport interchange will be provided at the Lok Ma Chau terminus for the passengers' convenience," TAC Chairman, Ms Teresa Cheng said.
Given the transport policy of having railway as the backbone of the transport system and considering that most of the non-rail passenger demand to the Lok Ma Chau terminus would be from northwest New Territories areas, the Government has planned one franchised bus route to/from Yuen Long East, one green minibus route to/from Yuen Long town centre and the provision of urban and New Territories taxi services in the interchange.
"The provision of public transport services at the new boundary crossing would provide more choices to cross-boundary passengers, and would facilitate cross-boundary people flow between Hong Kong and the Mainland," Ms Cheng said.
Members were also briefed on the traffic accident trends and road safety situation in Hong Kong over the past 50 years.
"The number of deaths in traffic accidents dropped by 70% from the peak of 482 in 1973 to the provisional figure of 146 in 2006, bearing in mind that over the past 50 years, our population has increased from 3 million to nearly 7 million and the number of licensed vehicles has increased from 30,000 to 550,000," Ms Cheng said.
"The continuous improvement in the road safety situation in Hong Kong is the results of contribution and commitment of the whole community."
Ends/Monday, January 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:29
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