*******************
Following is a question by the Hon James Tien and a reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (June 28):
Question
The "Ngong Ping 360" cable car service between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping ("Ngong Ping Skyrail") had been suspended when wind speed exceeded 90 kilometres per hour (km/h), and according to the Hong Kong Observatory, there was an average of 55 days with gust equal to or greater than 90 km/h recorded at Ngong Ping in each of the past three years. In addition, following the suspension of the trial run of the Skyrail on June 17, 2006 due to system failure which could not be repaired immediately, the company announced the postponement of the launch of the service. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council if it knows:
(a) the circumstances that necessitate suspension of service of Ngong Ping Skyrail;
(b) whether it was envisaged at the initial stage of designing this cable car system that cable car service would have to be suspended under such circumstances; if so, whether the relevant details have been disclosed at that time; if not, of the reasons for that; and
(c) the contingency measures to be adopted when the cable car service is suspended in the situation mentioned above, including measures for handling the flow of visitors?
Reply
Madam President,
(a) According to the design of the cable car system, there will be temporary suspensions of the system in the circumstances of adverse weather conditions, including Typhoon Signal No. 8 and above, black rainstorm warning, lightning and strong winds, i.e. wind speed of 90 kilometres per hour persistent wind and 135 kilometres per hour gust wind. On the advice of the cable car system manufacturer, the operator, Skyrail defines persistent wind speed as the average wind speed over a period of 30 seconds and the gust wind speed over a period of one second. This definition is also adopted by some similar cable car systems overseas.
In the case of lightning and strong winds in the local area, the cable car will usually be able to resume service within a short period of time.
The decision on whether to temporarily suspend operation will be made by Skyrail having regard to the safety and comfort of the passengers. Under the Aerial Ropeways (Safety) Ordinance, the operator, Skyrail, has the power to suspend the operation on safety grounds. Skyrail may suspend the cable car service having regard to a host of factors including wind speed. According to the wind speed data collected at Ngong Ping by the Hong Kong Observatory over the past four years during the operating hours of the cable car, i.e. between 9am and 6.30pm, there were on average 7 days in a year (totalling 23 hours) when such wind conditions existed.
As regards the suspension of cable car service during the trial run on June 17, 2006, Skyrail is of the view that the suspension was caused by three technical problems that occurred closely together, namely ¡ª
(i) a fault with the system that controls the spacing of cable cars in Ngong Ping Skyrail Terminal;
(ii) a friction-related problem with the conveyor rail system that transports cable cars around the contour of the Ngong Ping Skyrail Terminal; and
(iii) a failure of the gate leading into the cable car parking area at Ngong Ping Skyrail Terminal which blocked the parking of the cable cars.
Skyrail has submitted a report on the incident to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. The Department is now examining the report and will monitor closely the tests to be conducted by Skyrail on the cable car system.
(b) When the Government introduced the Tung Chung Cable Car Bill to the Legislative Council in 2003, we pointed out that the operation and safety standards of cable car systems were regulated by the Aerial Ropeways (Safety) Ordinance. We pointed out to the Bills Committee that the design submissions from the MTR Corporation Limited indicated that the cable car system was designed to cope with the prevailing weather conditions of Hong Kong. The Bills Committee examined the safety requirements for the operation of the cable car system under inclement weather, including requirements to reduce the speed or to stop the operation of the system under specified conditions. The Bills Committee noted that the operation and safety standards of the Cable Car System would be regulated by the Aerial Ropeways (Safety) Ordinance. The MTR Corporation Limited had also informed the Legislative Council of the wind data collected at that time.
(c) Skyrail has formulated a rescue plan and a transport contingency plan to deal with suspension of the cable car service.
When the rescue plan is activated, the Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service and the Civil Aid Service will provide assistance as appropriate. Staff of the Fire Services Department have already received intensive training under the rescue plan. Upon the opening of "Ngong Ping 360", Skyrail and the Fire Services Department will also organise regular on the job training for their staff to familiarise themselves with the rescue operation.
The transport contingency plan outlines the steps to be taken, including relief buses to take visitors from the Ngong Ping Village to Tung Chung. Upon notification by Skyrail of cable car service suspension, the Transport Department will closely monitor the operation of bus service at Ngong Ping including the relief bus service; and arrange publicity for the traffic and transport arrangements from time to time. The Police will also increase its manpower for traffic and crowd control measures.
During suspension of the cable car service, the MTR Corporation Limited and Skyrail will post signage and notices in the MTR network and at the Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Skyrail Terminals. Skyrail will deploy its staff on site to explain the situation to visitors. It will also disseminate information through the "Ngong Ping 360" hotline, its website, press statements and communication with the travel trade.
Ends/Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:34
NNNN