TAC briefed on takeover arrangements and tolling scenarios for Tai Lam Tunnel and plan for regulation of online car-hailing platforms and combating of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward
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The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (July 30) on the takeover arrangements and proposed tolling scenarios analyses for the Tai Lam Tunnel (TLT) upon the Government's takeover next year, as well as the Government's plan for the regulation of online car-hailing platforms and combating of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward.
On the expiry of the franchise of the TLT and the Yuen Long Approach Road (YLAR) on May 30, 2025, the TLT and the YLAR will become a government tunnel and a government expressway respectively. The Government will ensure a seamless takeover, and will implement HKeToll, a free-flow tolling service after the takeover. At the same time, the Government will take the opportunity of taking over the TLT to suitably lower the toll levels, with a view to striking a proper balance among various considerations such as traffic management, supporting the operations of public transport and the logistics trade, responding to reasonable public expectations, and upholding the user-pays principle. To this end, the Government has put forward three tolling scenario analyses to facilitate focused discussion among TAC members.
The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Members noted the Government's proposed arrangements for taking over the TLT and the YLAR. On the adjustment of toll levels, members generally supported the Government's policy objectives of setting reasonable toll levels to control the traffic to make use of the TLT's spare capacity while maintaining its smooth traffic flow, as well as support the operation and development of the transport and logistics industries, ensure smooth public transport services through the TLT and facilitate commuting by the public in the New Territories West/North."
As regards the enhancement of personalised point-to-point transport services, the Government is earnestly working to formulate a legislative proposal for regulation of online car-hailing platforms and to improve the legislation to combat illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. The Transport Department (TD) will conduct a further study to examine the overall demand and supply of personalised point-to-point transport services, including conducting surveys on passenger demand and changes. After taking into account the findings of the study in a holistic manner and listening to the views of stakeholders, the Government will formulate a legislative proposal on the regulation of online car-hailing platforms. The Government briefed members at the meeting on the preliminary findings of the study on the regulation of online car-hailing platforms in other places, as well as the next steps and plans to enhance personalised point-to-point transport services.
A Working Group for Enhancing Personalised Point-to-Point Transport Services has been set up under the TAC, chaired by Professor Cheung and comprising a number of TAC members, representatives from relevant organisations/departments (e.g. the Insurance Authority and the Tourism Commission), as well as representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the TD. The terms of reference and membership of the Working Group are at the Annex. Professor Cheung said, "Through the establishment of the Working Group, the TAC wishes to explore the strategic direction for enhancing personalised point-to-point transport services and how to regulate online car-hailing platforms, as well as advising on the TD's study on the demand and supply of personalised point-to-point transport services, with a view to submitting a report to the Government."
Ends/Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:23
Issued at HKT 18:23
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