Procurement of bridge inspection vehicles for Tsing Ma Control Area and Tsing Sha Control Area
General views
Mr CHAN Chun-ying indicated support for procuring additional BIVs to meet the genuine needs. Expressing concern about traffic accidents involving works vehicles, he asked whether shadow vehicles equipped with flashing arrow signs would be provided while carrying out road works every time and whether the Administration would consider procuring more shadow vehicles as well to enhance works safety.
DHy confirmed that road works contractors were required to provide shadow vehicles equipped with truck-mounted attenuators and flashing arrow signs in front of the road works area within TMCA and TSCA. He added that there were sufficient shadow vehicles in TMCA and TSCA.
Manpower and training
Mr CHAN Chun-ying enquired how the Administration would ensure the proper use of new BIVs by the management companies of the Control Areas. DHy said that the existing management companies were familiar with using BIVs in their daily operation and adequate training would be provided for them on the use of new BIVs.
After consultation with members, the Chairman concluded that the Panel supported the Administration’s financial proposal.
Briefing by the Secretary for Transport and Housing on the Chief Executive’s 2017 Policy Address
Electronic Road Pricing Pilot Scheme
Mr CHAN Chun-ying noted that the Administration would carry out an in-depth feasibility study for the Electronic Road Pricing (“ERP”) Pilot Scheme in Central and its adjacent areas. Pointing out that previous ERP studies had concluded that there was no immediate justification for implementing ERP, he queried why the Administration now considered ERP an effective means to alleviate road traffic congestion.
STH advised that further to the outcome of previous ERP studies, the Administration had then decided to explore the possibility of ERP application in the Central District after the commissioning of the Central—Wan Chai Bypass. In this connection, the Administration had concluded that an ERP Pilot Scheme for the Central District and its adjacent areas would be necessary and feasible based on the recommendations of the previous ERP studies, and conducted a public engagement exercise, the result of which had just been released. With the views collected, the Administration would proceed with an in-depth feasibility study to develop feasible options for the ERP Pilot Scheme and engage the public further with finer details, including the charging level, the exact boundary of the charging area and the operation of the ERP Pilot Scheme. The Administration intended to take forward the ERP Pilot Scheme’s feasibility study within the current term of the Government.
Rationalization of traffic distribution among the three road harbour crossings and three land tunnels
Mr CHAN Chun-ying pointed out that of the three road harbour crossings and three land tunnels between Kowloon and Sha Tin, some were not owned by the Government and hence it did not have control over their toll levels. On the Administration’s initiative to rationalize traffic distribution among these crossings/tunnels, he expressed concern that if it was to increase the toll levels of government-owned crossings/tunnels for diverting traffic to those privately-owned crossings/tunnels, this would amount to a transfer of benefits to the franchisees of privately-owned crossings/tunnels and would not be accepted by the public.
STH noted Mr CHAN’s concern. He pointed out that if otherwise the franchisees of privately-owned crossings/tunnels were to reduce tolls to rationalize traffic distribution, the Government would need to reimburse them for the differences between the existing and reduced tolls based on the actual traffic flow. On this initiative, the Administration would provide a comprehensive analysis on different options for members’ consideration upon completion of the study in due course.