Minutes of the 11Th Meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee Eastern District Council

Minutes of the 11th Meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee Eastern District Council

Date: 21 November 2017 (Tuesday) Time: 2:30 pm Venue: Eastern District Council (EDC) Conference Room

Present Time of Arrival Time of Departure (pm) (pm) Mr TING Kong-ho, Eddie 2:30 end of meeting Mr WONG Chi-chung, Dominic 2:30 end of meeting Mr WONG Chun-sing, Patrick 4:30 end of meeting Mr WONG Kwok-hing, BBS, MH 2:30 3:30 Mr KU Kwai-yiu 2:30 3:30 Mr HO Ngai-kam, Stanley 2:30 end of meeting Ms LI Chun-chau 2:30 end of meeting Mr LEE Chun-keung 2:55 end of meeting Mr LAM Sum-lim 2:30 end of meeting Mr LAM Kei-tung, George 2:30 end of meeting Mr SHIU Ka-fai 3:48 5:10 Mr HUNG Lin-cham 3:10 end of meeting Mr CHUI Chi-kin 2:30 end of meeting Mr CHEUNG Kwok-cheong, Howard 2:30 end of meeting Mr LEUNG Siu-sun, Patrick 2:30 end of meeting Mr LEUNG Kwok-hung, David 2:30 end of meeting Ms LEUNG Wing-man, Bonnie 2:30 6:12 Mr MAK Tak-ching 2:40 end of meeting Mr YEUNG Sze-chun 2:30 end of meeting Dr CHIU Ka-yin, Andrew 4:00 end of meeting Mr CHIU Chi-keung, BBS 2:30 end of meeting Mr LAU Hing-yeung (Vice-chairman) 2:30 end of meeting Mr CHENG Chi-sing 2:30 end of meeting Mr LAI Chi-keong, Joseph 2:30 end of meeting Mr NGAN Chun-lim, MH (Chairman) 2:30 end of meeting Mr LO Wing-kwan, Frankie, MH 2:30 end of meeting Mr KUNG Pak-cheung, MH 2:30 5:30 Mr HUI Ka-hoo, BBS, MH 2:30 end of meeting (co-opted member) Ms CHIK Kit-ling, Elaine 2:30 end of meeting (co-opted member)

Absent with Apologies

Mr HUI Lam-hing (absent with consent) Mr WONG Kin-pan, BBS, MH, JP Mr WONG Kin-hing Ms CHOY So-yuk, BBS, JP Mr CHENG Tat-hung

In Regular Attendance (Government Representatives)

Mr CHUI Cheuk-yin, Assistant District Officer (Eastern) 2, Matthew Eastern District Office Ms WONG Sze-man, Senior Liaison Officer(2), Queenie Eastern District Office Miss WAH Pui-yee, Senior Executive Officer (District Council), Vivian Eastern District Office Miss WONG Ho-yan, Senior Transport Officer/Eastern, Doris Transport Department Mr LEUNG Chi-wa Engineer/Eastern 1, Transport Department Mr KWAN Wing-yip Engineer/Eastern 2, Transport Department Ms CHAM Shuk-wun Engineer/Eastern 3 and General, Transport Department Mr YAN Ki-kit District Engineer/North Point, Highways Department Mr KUK Wai-kei OC (District Traffic Team) (Eastern District), Hong Kong Police Force Ms CHAN Yu-shan, Executive Officer I (District Council)3, Sandy (Secretary) Eastern District Office

In Attendance by Invitation (Representatives from the Government and Organisations)

Mr SAT Sing-hin, Senior Project Manager, Saadullah Architectural Services Department Mr LEE Cheuk-hang Project Manager, Architectural Services Department Mr CHAN Kin-fung, Senior Engineer/Eastern and General, Keith Transport Department

2 Mr HUI Fai-wing Senior Superintendent (Public Columbaria Project Team), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Miss CHAN Wai-lin, Senior Housing Manager/Hong Kong Island and Rose Islands 1, Housing Department Mr PANG Tak Yuen, Housing Manager (Hong Kong Island and Islands Louis 2), Housing Department Mr CHUNG Chi-shun Deputy Project Team Leader, Highways Department Ms CHAN Cheuk-ying Project Coordinator 3, Highways Department Mr LEUNG Ka-yin, Project Supervisor/Universal Accessibility, Tommy Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr AU Siu-fung, Senior Transport Officer/Bus/Hong Kong Island 2, Kelvin Transport Department Mr SHEK Wing-kei, Environmental Protection Officer (Mobile Ivan Source)34, Environmental Protection Department Mr YIP Wai-fu Senior Resident Engineer, WSP (Asia) Limited Mr WAN Kam-suen Senior Engineer, WSP (Asia) Limited Mr LEUNG Shek-hong Resident Engineer WSP (Asia) Limited Mr Kevin LI Public Affairs Manager, Citybus Limited/New World First Bus Services Limited Ms Dorothy LAU Assistant Public Relations Manager – External Affairs, Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited Mr LEUNG Zan-man Manager (Building and Construction Projects), Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited

Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed all Members and Government representatives to the meeting.

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I. Confirmation of the Draft Minutes of the 10th Meeting of TTC

2. The TTC confirmed the minutes without amendment.

II. Request to Make Appropriate Traffic Arrangements with Enhanced Facilities at Neighbouring Areas when Constructing the Relevant Columbarium (TTC Paper No. 35/17)

3. The Chairman welcomed Mr Saadullah SAT, Senior Project Manager, and Mr LEE Cheuk-hang, Project Manager of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD); Mr Keith CHAN, Senior Engineer/Eastern & General, and Mr KWAN Wing-yip, Engineer/Eastern 2 of the Transport Department (TD); Mr HUI Fai-wing, Senior Superintendent (Public Columbaria Project Team) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD); Miss Rose CHAN, Senior Housing Manager/Hong Kong Island and Islands 1, and Mr Louis PANG, Housing Manager/Hong Kong Island and Islands 2 of the Housing Department (HD); Mr YAN Ki-kit, District Engineer/North Point of the Highways Department (HyD); and Mr KUK Wai-kei, OC District Traffic Team (Eastern District) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) to the meeting. Mr KUNG Pak-cheung introduced TTC Paper No. 35/17.

4. Members noted the written replies of the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) and Lands Department (LandsD).

5. The views and queries of 7 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr HUI Ka-hoo said the proposal of setting up a vehicle passing bay on Wan Tsui Road as a public bus stop and traffic improvement facilities on Cape Collinson Road would effectively divert the traffic flow at that location. In addition, he hoped the departments would consult Members again after implementing the proposal of improving traffic flow management of the escalators at Lok Hin Terrace during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans.

(b) Mr KU Kwai-yiu considered that the existing traffic improvement measures proposed by the departments on Lin Shing Road and Cape

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Collinson Road could not completely solve the traffic congestion problem in the area during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans. He hoped the departments would add a new traffic lane on Cape Collinson Road before constructing the columbarium so as to solve the problem in the long run.

(c) Mr KUNG Pak-cheung said that after considering the pedestrian flow and transport facilities around Wan Tsui Estate, he understood that at this stage it was not practical and feasible to widen Cape Collinson Road. Therefore, he considered adding vehicle passing bays on Wan Tsui Road, Lin Shing Road and Cape Collinson Road a way to alleviate traffic congestion during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans. Further measures could then be taken to improve traffic conditions when necessary in response to the impact of the additional facilities on traffic and pedestrian flow.

(d) Mr CHIU Chi-keung understood that it was not feasible to consider major works such as adding a flyover on Cape Collinson Road at this stage. He hoped that the departments would expeditiously implement the plan to improve the facilities on Lin Shing Road near Cape Collinson Road junction so as to alleviate traffic congestion in the area during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans. He also urged the departments to consult the stakeholders of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Chai Wan for opening part of the road section for public use during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans in order to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

(e) Ms LI Chun-chau believed that at this stage improvement of facilities on Lin Shing Road near Cape Collinson Road junction could be implemented first to divert traffic flow in Chai Wan during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans. Other improvement proposals could be studied step by step if needed.

(f) Mr WONG Kwok-hing said improvement works of the link between the Cape Collision Chinese Permanent Cemetery and the Catholic Cemetery had been completed but the Catholic Cemetery had not opened that road section for public use as promised for which he condemned and hoped that the departments could expeditiously negotiate with the stakeholders of Catholic Cemetery for the opening of

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the relevant road section.

(g) The Vice-chairman said the road section of Lin Shing Road near Wan Tsui Road was often obstructed by the boarding and alighting activities of public buses. He hoped the department(s) could set up a vehicle passing bay as soon as possible to improve the situation.

6. Mr Saadullah SAT of the ArchSD, Mr Keith CHAN of the TD, Mr HUI Fai-wing of the FEHD, Miss Rose CHAN of the HD, Mr YAN Ki-kit of the HyD and Mr KUK Wai-kei of the HKPF responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

FEHD

(a) After confirming the construction of Cape Collinson Columbarium, the FEHD had been actively working with various Government departments to study proposals for improving transport facilities in the vicinity and temporary traffic and crowd control measures during the spring and autumn ancestral worship of clans. The FEHD would later on work with relevant Government departments to study how to implement the improvement measures mentioned in the aforementioned written replies.

ArchSD

(b) The ArchSD had carried out a traffic impact assessment on Cape Collinson Columbarium. The assessment results showed that the traffic impact caused by the facilities was relatively mild. The FEHD would further study with various departments and implement the proposals for improving transport facilities in the vicinity, including the pedestrian access facilities connecting Cape Collinson Road and San Ha Street and the partial widening of the carriageway and pavement of Cape Collinson Road.

(c) The TD had put forward a design proposal for the construction of a bus bay on Wan Tsui Road westbound lane near Lin Shing Road and would continue to consult relevant departments to implement the proposal.

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The TD would also actively cooperate with relevant departments to implement the proposal for improving the situation at Lin Shing Road near the junction of Cape Collinson Road. The TD would continue to observe the traffic conditions in the area and study other feasible improvement proposals if necessary.

(d) The HD would actively cooperate with relevant departments in relation to the transfer of land titles and construction works involved in various improvement proposals.

HKPF

(e) The HKPF would continue to observe the traffic conditions at Cape Collinson Road junction and take measures to divert traffic flow of that road section if necessary.

ArchSD/TD/FEHD 7. After discussion, Members agreed to continue following up on the item. /HD/HyD/HKPF /FHB/LandsD III. Request to Review the Existing Guidelines on the Working Hours of Bus Drivers (TTC Paper No. 36/17)

8. The Chairman welcomed Mr Kelvin AU, Senior Transport Officer/Bus/Hong Kong Island 2 of the TD and Mr Kevin LI, Public Affairs Manager of Citybus Limited/New World First Bus Services Limited (Citybus & NWFB) to the meeting. Mr Dominic WONG introduced TTC Paper No. 36/17

9. Members noted the written reply of The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB).

10. Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB supplemented that at present some of the injured in the Citybus accident in Sham Shui Po had reached agreement with the insurance companies on insurance compensation and two families of the deceased had been granted interim compensation. Citybus & NWFB had earlier discussed with the unions and Joint Consultative Committees on short-term improvement proposals to ease the worries of the public. The working hours of

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Citybus drivers had been temporarily reduced to 13 hours, while that of NWFB bus drivers would also be temporarily reduced to 13 hours in gradual progress. Shift pattern of bus drivers would also be modified, alternating long shift with short shift to avoid the bus drivers from working on long shifts consecutively for several days. Citybus & NWFB and other franchised buses companies were already discussing with the TD the amendment to the working hour guidelines and hoped to reach a consensus as soon as possible.

11. The views and queries of 13 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr HUI Ka-hoo said some bus drivers would take the initiative to work overtime in exchange for higher pay. He suggested that the bus companies should be more flexible when revising their working hour guidelines and modify the shift pattern of bus drivers, alternating the long shift with short shift, so that bus drivers would have enough rest time.

(b) Mr MAK Tak-ching said the Federation of Bus Industry Trade Unions (FBITU) had been requesting the TD and bus companies to revise the working hour guidelines since 2013. However, the TD had not responded to FBITU’s request due to objections from other unions and the reason that revising the guidelines would affect the income of bus drivers. The FBITU recently called on the TD again to lower the maximum working hours and driving hours of bus drivers from 14 and 11 hours to 12 and 10 hours respectively, and to introduce the wage guidelines at the same time. He enquired how the TD and bus companies responded to the appeals of the unions. He also requested the bus companies to raise the remuneration of bus drivers.

(c) Mr YEUNG Sze-chun said limiting the working hours of bus drivers would affect their pay driversand therefore the TD should set reasonable guidelines on the working hours and pay of bus drivers. For example, he pointed out that at present the guidelines of the European Union and the United States stipulate that the maximum working hours of bus drivers were 9 and 10 hours respectively. However, the maximum working hours of all current guidelines in Hong Kong exceeded those mentioned above. He urged the TD and bus companies to adjust accordingly to ensure that accidents would not

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be caused by accidents due to fatigue driving of bus drivers.

(d) Mr LAM Sum-lim said the department(s) should set appropriate work and rest guidelines for bus drivers according to the driving environment in Hong Kong in order to ensure that bus drivers were driving safely.

(e) Mr CHUI Chi-kin said bus drivers’ pay and working hours were directly related. Even if the working hour guidelines lowered the number of working hours, bus drivers might also work part-time to increase their income. Therefore, having an operating surplus, the bus companies should adjust the pay of bus drivers in response to their needs in living. He also pointed out the long-term manpower shortage of the bus companies and urged the TD to monitor the bus companies to ensure they were actively making improvements.

(f) Mr Patrick LEUNG believed that the TD and bus companies should review the working hours of bus drivers to ensure that theydrivers had enough rest time to cope with their work. At the same time, the pay of bus drivers should be adjusted to meet their needs in living.

(g) Ms Bonnie LEUNG believed that the guidelines for bus drivers’ pay and working hours would be related to road safety and should not be affected by political factors. She also asked about the timetable for revising the guidelines. She enquired the TD about the results of the review of the bus companies’ operation and bus drivers’ working hour arrangements driversconducted by outsourced companies, as well as the timetable for the next review. She hoped that the TD would provide the TTC with relevant review information.

(h) Mr Dominic WONG enquired the progress of the HKPF’s traffic accident investigation on the Citybus accident in Sham Shui Po, the data of casualties in accidents involving public buses -in the past two years and the principles in formulating bus drivers’ working hours.

(i) Mr WONG Kwok-hing expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and those injured in the Citybus accident in Sham Shui Po. He believed the Government had neither responded actively to questions raised by Members of the Legislative Council in October nor considered the bus drivers’ basic pay in its response. He also said

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there were still over 40 bus termini without a rest station for bus drivers in Hong Kong sat present. He hoped the Government could set a timetable for installing rest stations at all bus termini as soon as possible.

(j) Mr KU Kwai-yiu said there were bus drivers who reflected that they would increase their working hours in order to earn higher pay and the bus companies would arrange them to work on different routes. He believed that bus drivers should be driving fixed routes in order to ease their stress under long working hours.

(k) Mr Stanley HO said that having impressive revenues every year, the bus companies were responsible for improving bus drivers’ remuneration, particularly adjusting their basic pay. The TD should also devote efforts in making it happen accordingly. He also suggested the TD assist the bus companies in upgrading bus equipment so as to reduce the risk of accidents and thus ensure passenger and road safety. He said the bus companies often encountered difficulties in hiring bus drivers, and therefore questioned the bus companies’ saying that bus drivers’ remuneration had reached a reasonable level.

(l) Mr CHIU Chi-keung said the reasons for this traffic accident had yet to be investigated before judgement could be made. He hoped the TD would submit the findings of the investigation to the TTC for reference later. Referring to his observation in other industries, he said setting up maximum working hours might create incentives for employees to work part-time and thus extend the working hours of employees in a different form. Therefore, it might not be beneficial to both employers and employees. In his opinion, with large operating surplus, the bus companies should adjust bus drivers’ remuneration and improve their working environment, including setting up rest stations at all bus termini.

(m) Mr Joseph LAI said that bus drivers’ remuneration needed to be improved and enquired whether it was a common practice for bus drivers to work for 14 working hours and 11 driving hours. He was concerned that such arrangements might give rise to road safety issues. He suggested that the bus companies should consider the age and health conditions when considering drivers’ applications for overtime work so

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as to ensure road safety. He also urged the TD and bus companies to revise the existing guidelines as soon as possible.

12. Mr Kelvin AU of the TD and Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

(a) The Government attached great importance to the operational safety of franchised buses and was deeply saddened by the accident. Under the Guidelines on Bus Captain Working Hours, Rest Times and Meal Breaks (the Guidelines) formulated by the TD, the maximum working hours (including all breaks) of bus drivers on a working day should not exceed 14 hours and the driving hours should not exceed 11 hours. Franchised bus companies were required to comply with the Guidelines in arranging shifts of bus drivers and submit quarterly reports of implementation of the Guidelines to the TD. The TD also commissioned independent contractors to carry out field investigations every year, and requested explanations from and improvements by the bus companies that failed to meet the Guidelines. The TD met with the bus unions and franchised bus companies several times in October and November this year to listen to their comments on and concerns about reviewing the current Guidelines. The TD would continue to hold in-depth consultations with the bus unions and franchised bus companies to review how to make specific changes to the Guidelines. The TD would also continue negotiations with relevant stakeholders in respect of the bus drivers’ basic pay and the request for bus companies to set up rest stations, seeking to achieve a positive outcome as early as possible.

(b) The TD did not have any data on casualties related to franchised buses. However, the number of accidents involving Citybus & NWFB in the past two years had decreased. The TD would also review the working conditions of bus drivers from time to time, including the number of driving routes, and if necessary, would request the bus companies to make appropriate improvements.

Citybus & NWFB

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(c) The current total number of Citybus & NWFB bus drivers was about 3,700. According to the existing manpower establishment for bus drivers, there were about 100 vacancies. Citybus & NWFB always faced the problem of insufficient bus drivers and had taken active measures to attract newcomers and improve the remuneration and benefits of the existing staff. In order to attract bus drivers and to alleviate the manpower shortagedrivers, Citybus & NWFB had raised the amount of sign-on bonus starting from 30 October 2017. The sign-on bonus for driving Citybus Cityflyer and North Lantau routes was $36,000, while that for the remaining Citybus and NWFB routes was $17,000. In addition, if the applicant already held a Public Bus (class code 10) or Public Bus - Franchised (class code 17) Driving Licence, an additional $10,000 “Bus Driving Licence Holder Bonus” would be offered. With respect to the existing bus drivers, the TD was currently reviewing the suggestion of revising the working hour guidelines of bus drivers. Citybus & NWFB would consider adjusting the remuneration levels of its existing bus drivers in response to the review results and the changes in specific work arrangements. From 31 October 2017, Citybus & NWFB had increased the quota of bus passes for family members of bus drivers to five and relaxed the eligibility criteria for applications, abolishing the “children in school” requirement. Startsing from July 2016, the basic pay and overtime allowance of bus drivers and terminus supervisors in specified groups had been adjusted, and from June 2017 on, the fixed and non-fixed allowances of frontline staff had been increased. Citybus & NWFB had implemented pay increment in the past several years. The increase rate in 2016 was 4.1%, while that in 2017 was 3.55%. The rate in both years was higher than inflation rate. In the past few years, Citybus & NWFB had also made special adjustments to the remuneration and benefits of new recruits of bus drivers in response to market conditions.

(d) A total of about 80 bus termini were used by the bus routes of the two bus companies. Citybus & NWFB had set up rest facilities (including air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, drinking fountains, etc.) at about 60 termini where geographical conditions permitted to accommodate the need for rest of bus drivers under the shift arrangementsdrivers.

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(e) To capitalise on the fleet resources and to enhance the efficiency of bus services, Citybus & NWFB would assign the bus drivers to drive different routes in response to the needs of bus services. Bus drivers would receive their “Daily Work Record” when they checked in every day, setting out their work schedule and driving routes. Citybus & NWFB had been using this bus service arrangement system for many years and the overall operation was smooth. Citybus & NWFB would not suddenly assign bus drivers to drive routes with which they were not familiar.

(f) Citybus & NWFB noted the suggestions put forward by Members on the use of technologies to help avoid traffic accidents and would study if there were programs in market suitable for use on buses for testing.

(g) All new recruits of bus drivers (full-time and part-time) of Citybus & NWFB must pass a medical examination. Citybus & NWFB also arranges annual medical checks for bus drivers aged 50 or above. Bus drivers must pass the medical checks before they perform driving duties.

TD/ Citybus & 13. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon NWFB further progress. /KMB

IV. Request to Provide Air-conditioning at the Concourse of MTR Chai Wan Station (TTC Paper No. 37/17)

14. The Chairman welcomed Ms Dorothy LAU, Assistant Public Relations Manager - External Affairs of MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC) to the meeting. Mr KUNG Pak-cheung introduced TTC Paper No. 37/17.

15. The views and queries of 8 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr KUNG Pak-cheung said the current addition of air coolers at the concourse of Chai Wan Station did not alleviate the stuffy feeling at the station concourse. He requested the MTRC to send engineers to

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attend the next TTC meeting to discuss the issue.

(b) Mr CHUI Chi-kin said MTR Kwun Tong Station was also an above-ground station and its concourse had already been installed with air-conditioners. He enquired whether the MTRC could retrofit air-conditioners at MTR Chai Wan Station using the same technology.

(c) Mr LEE Chun-keung said the open design of MTR Chai Wan Station failed to create natural cross ventilation and the stationwas therefore very stuffy during rainy or hot weather. The ventilation equipment currently used at this station could not effectively improve the station’s environment. He enquired of the MTR stations in Hong Kong not yet equipped with air-conditioners and the cleaning procedures of mobile air coolers.

(d) Mr Stanley HO said air conditioners had not been installed at MTR Chai Wan Station and Heng Fa Chuen Station and the electric fans and air coolers in the stations were unable to improve the stations’ environment. He was concerned about the risk that some passengers might pass out due to the poor air circulation inside the stations. He urged the MTRC to upgrade the equipment of these two stations as soon as possible under the circumstance of having a large surplus every year.

(e) Mr CHIU Chi-keung believed that with today’s technologies and the public’s expectations, the MTRC, having a large surplus every year, had the responsibility to improve the stations’ environment by installing air-conditioners at the concourse and on the platform. He requested the MTRC to send engineers and staff from finance department to attend the next meeting to discuss the issues.

(f) Mr CHENG Chi-sing said following the development of society in recent decades, the MTRC should install air-conditioners at the stations to improve the stations’ environment. He suggested that while the MTRC was studying the installation of air-conditioners, it should follow the example of MTR Quarry Bay Station by installing air-flow propulsion fans at stations without air-conditioners at present to temporarily improve air ventilation.

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(g) The Vice-chairman said that the electric fans at MTR Chai Wan Station failed to effectively improve the air ventilation at the station. He considered that the MTRC should install air conditioners at the concourse and on the platform of the station, and enquired about the technical difficulties involved. He hoped the MTRC would invite Members to conduct a site visit and explain the difficulties involved in installing air-conditioners.

(h) Mr SHIU Ka-fai agreed with the Vice-chairman’s comments and suggestions.

16. Ms Dorothy LAU of the MTRC responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

(a) MTR Chai Wan Station was an above-ground station with the same open natural ventilation design as other similarly designed stations. In order to enhance air ventilation, the station concourse was already equipped with electric fans while the platform was equipped with ventilation facilities, which had also been enhanced in recent years. In addition, the MTRC was currently piloting the installation of four mobile air coolers at the concourse of Chai Wan Station and would continue to observe their effectiveness. With regard to Members’ queries about the ventilation equipment of other above-ground stations, the MTRC said that different ventilation equipment, including fans, ventilators and air-cooling equipment would be retrofitted, depending on the conditions. Among these facilities were the mobile air coolers under trial at Chai Wan Station. The situation mentioned by Members at the concourse of Kwun Tong Station involvedthe installation of air-cooling equipment at specific locations. There would be a considerable degree of technical difficulties in installing air-conditioning system at MTR Chai Wan Station due to its design and structure.

(b) If necessary, the MTRC would later provide supplementary information on ventilation and air-conditioning equipment installation of MTR stations and information on the cleaning procedures of mobile air coolers to Members. The MTRC also welcomed Members to conduct site visits to the stations.

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MTRC 17. After discussion, Members agreed to continue following up on the item.

V. Request to Review the Pavement Width Standards and Criteria and to Implement a Pedestrian Environment Improvement Scheme (TTC Paper No. 38/17)

18. The Chairman welcomed Ms CHAM Shuk-wun, Engineer/Eastern 3 and General of the TD and Mr YAN Ki-kit, District Engineer/North Point of the HyD to the meeting. Mr LAM Sum-lim introduced TTC Paper No. 38/17.

19. The views and queries of 3 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr MA Tak-ching said starting from 2015, he had been proposing to the TD to widen the pedestrian crossing at Tai Hong Street. Following up on the issue till now, he learned that the TD would widen the relevant pavement by 1.5 meters and enquired about the timetable for the relevant works.

(b) Mr LAM Sum-lim suggested that the TD retain the existing railing when widening Shau Kei Wan Main Street East in order to prevent illegal parking. In addition, he pointed out that as Tai Hong Street was narrow, it was not uncommon for buses and other vehicles failing to make turns or reverse due to kerbside parking. He hoped that the department(s) would explore improvement measures.

(c) Mr CHIU Chi-keung suggested the TD revise the pavement width standards according to the current actual conditions of streets of Hong Kong. He cited the chaotic traffic conditions on Shau Kei Wan Main Street East as an example and suggested that the department(s) should set up parking meters and at the same time review the pavement width standards at that location.

20. Ms CHAM Shuk-wun of the TD and Mr YAN Ki-kit of the HyD responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

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(a) The TD had to consider different factors such as road safety, pedestrian flow, traffic conditions in the vicinity and site environment in studying the feasibility of widening pavements. Regarding the proposal of widening the pavement at No. 28-76 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, the TD had reviewed the design of that road section and found that the pavement width was about 2.3 meters. For the convenience of those in need, including users of wheelchairs and trolleys, the TD would study the feasibility of expanding the pavement of that section by 1 meter. After widening the pavement, the carriageway of that section would still be 7 meters wide, which could allow two vehicles to pass through at the same time. The TD would consult the relevant departments for advice on the project and conduct district consultation. As for the proposal to widen the pavement at the junction of Shau Kei Wan Road (eastbound) and Tai Hong Street, due to site constraints, widening the pavement would result in narrowing of the carriageway such that the carriageway would not be wide enough for large vehicles to enter Tai Hong Street from Shau Kei Wan Road (eastbound). As a result, the TD could not support the proposal at this stage. In respect of widening the traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing on Tai Hong Street near Shau Kei Wan Road, the TD had issued a Works Request Form to the HyD for the relevant improvement works.

HyD

(b) In respect of the works of widening the pedestrian crossing of Tai Hong Street, the HyD had applied in October 2017 for temporary traffic diversion and for the relocation of the street’s drainage facilities at the same time. However, as the street was the main road travelling to Island Eastern Corridor, the application had not been approved. The HyD planned to submit an application again next month and proposed to keep the drainage facilities of the street, and the work was expected to start early next year.

TD/HyD 21. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

VI. Strong Request to Install a Lift for Connecting Hing Man Estate Footbridge at Chai Wan Road and Tai Man Street

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(TTC Paper No. 39/17)

22. The Chairman welcomed Mr KWAN Wing-yip, Engineer/Eastern 2 of the TD and Mr YAN Ki-kit, District Engineer/North Point of the HyD to the meeting. Ms LI Chun-chau and the Vice-chairman introduced TTC Paper No. 39/17.

23. The views and queries of 6 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Ms LI Chun-chau hoped the department(s) would make reference to similar projects in other districts for the construction of the lift connecting a footbridge and the street level and consider including the aforementioned proposal into the Universal Accessibility Programme (UA Programme). In addition, she was dissatisfied with HyD’s reply about the limited room for improvement of the long staircase between Chai Wan Road and Tai Man Street due to geographical constraints. She said the department(s) should actively explore improvement proposals to address the needs of the public.

(b) Mr CHUI Chi-kin hoped the HyD would explain the impact of the aforementioned staircase which was built along the hill on the construction of the lift mentioned in the written reply.

(c) Mr Frankie LO hoped the HyD could provide reply on whether the HyD would consider including the aforementioned proposal into the UA Programme.

(d) Mr Andrew CHIU hoped that the department(s) would conduct a study on the aforementioned proposal, investigating the pedestrian flow of the location, facilities nearby and geographical environment, and consider including the proposal into the UA Programme. He also hoped that the department(s) would invite Members to conduct a site visit for the aforementioned proposal.

(e) Mr Stanley HO said the aforementioned proposal was in line with the standards of the UA Programme and hoped the department(s) would include the proposal into the programme, follow up on it and report to the TTC in due course.

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(f) The Vice-chairman stated that under the UA Programme, exit locations of all footbridges should meet the conditions for constructing lifts that connect the exits and the street level. He proposed that the department(s) should either set up a new exit at Hing Man Estate footbridge or consider installing a lift to connect Tai Min Street and the exit of Hing Man Estate footbridge near Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. He also hoped that the department(s) would invite relevant Members to conduct a site visit for the aforementioned proposal.

24. Mr KWAN Wing-yip of the TD and Mr YAN Ki-kit of the HyD responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

(a) The TD would conduct a territory-wide consultancy study in late 2017 to review and improve the scheme of escalator links and lift systems for uphill areas. As the aforementioned proposal complied with the criteria of the scheme, it would be included in the scheme for consideration and the scheme would be evaluated for priority after the completion of the study.

HyD

(b) The TD had included the aforementioned proposal into the scheme of escalator links and lift systems for uphill areas for consideration.

(c) The scope of the UA Programme includes the construction of lifts at existing footbridges, elevated walkways and pedestrian subways that connect to the street level. The HyD noted and would relay the views of Members to the project management team responsible for the UA Programme for consideration.

TD/HyD 25. After discussion, Members agreed to continue following up on the item. In addition, the EDC had invited Members at the meeting on 26 September 2017 to follow up at this meeting on the invitation by the Legislative Council Secretariat to the EDC to provide further comments on the locations of the proposed provision of barrier-free access and facilities. Since the Secretariat had received only one proposal before the meeting, which was the aforementioned proposal, the

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TTC agreed to submit the aforementioned proposal and the comments for including the project into the UA Programme to the Legislative Council Secretariat.

(Post-meeting remarks: The aforementioned proposal was submitted to the Legislative Council Secretariat on 12 December 2017.)

VII. Report on the 9th Meeting of the Working Group on Public Transport and Road Safety (TTC Paper No. 40/17)

26. Mr CHENG Chi-sing, Vice-chairman of the Working Group, introduced TTC Paper No. 40/17.

27. Members noted the minutes of the meeting and passed the motion in the Paper.

VIII. Progress Report on Matters Arising from Previous TTC Meetings (TTC Paper No. 41/17)

(i) (1) Motion: Request the Government to Install Lifts at Quarry Bay Park (2) Universal Accessibility Programme – Provision of Lift Facilities at Three Footbridges in Eastern District (i) Footbridge across Siu Sai Wan Road near Harmony Road (HF163) (ii) Footbridge across Chai Wan Road near Shan Tsui Court (HF63) (iii) Footbridge across Island Eastern Corridor near Quarry Bay Park (HF92 & 92A) (3) Provision of Barrier-free Access Facilities at Public Walkways in Eastern District under the “Universal Accessibility” Programme

28. The Chairman welcomed Mr Tommy LEUNG, Project Supervisor /Universal Accessibility Programme of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD); Mr CHUNG Chi-shun, Deputy Project Team Leader, and Ms CHAN Cheuk-ying, Project Coordinator 3 of the HyD, and Mr YIP Wai-fu, Senior Resident Engineer, Mr WAN Kam-suen, Senior Engineer and Mr LEUNG Shek-hong, Resident Engineer of WSP (Asia) Limited (WSP) to the meeting.

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29. Representatives of the CEDD and WSP supplemented that as the sub-contractor of footbridge Nos. HF92 and 92A performed unsatisfactorily, the contractor decided to replace the sub-contractor and expected that the project could be completed by mid-2018.

30. The views and queries of 8 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr Frankie LO agreed with the revised proposal of the department(s) regarding footbridge No. HF90A.

(b) Dr Andrew CHIU enquired of the details of replacing the sub-contractor of footbridge Nos. HF92 and 92A. He understood that there would be a delay in the works and hoped the department(s) would complete the works on schedule by mid-2018. He also asked the department(s) to explain the expected maintenance situation of the road near Taikoo Shing by the time the project was completed including the setting up of the arch. In addition, he enquired the HyD of the reason for a large number of high voltage cables under the originally proposed location of the works site for footbridge No. HF90A was not detected at the early stage.

(c) Mr Patrick LEUNG enquired whether the department(s) would install lifts at the staircase locations of both sides of footbridge No. HF90A to facilitate the use of the footbridge by those in need.

(d) Mr CHUI Chi-kin said when the department(s) outsourced works, contractors often conducted site inspections that affected the conditions of the road surface. He cited the case of the UA Programme in Chai Wan as an example, pointing out that the road surface had been excavated for a long time. He hoped the department(s) concerned would respond to this situation.

(e) Mr Patrick WONG enquired of the details and progress of replacing the sub-contractor for footbridge Nos. HF92 and 92A.

(f) Mr Joseph LAI hoped the Government would set up an inter-departmental working group to establish a record of all

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underground pipelines across Hong Kong and to provide search service for reference by various departments when carrying out works.

(g) Mr CHENG Chi-sing hoped the construction of the lift for footbridge No. HF90A would commence as soon as possible.

(h) The Vice-chairman enquired the department(s) about the reasons for the repeated delay in works progress of footbridge No. HF63 and whether the contractor would be replaced as a result.

31. Mr Tommy LEUNG of the CEDD, Mr CHUNG Chi-shun of the HyD, Mr YIP Wai-fu and Mr WAN Kam-suen of WSP responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

CEDD

(a) The CEDD had sent a warning letter to the relevant contractor regarding the unsatisfactory progress of footbridge Nos. HF92 and 92A and reminded the contractor that they might be fined according to the terms of the contract. After the CEDD followed up on the issue with the contractor, the contractor decided to replace the sub-contractor which did not perform well. The new sub-contractor had started taking over the project. Regarding the arch project at Taikoo Shing, the CEDD expected it to be completed simultaneously with the works of footbridge Nos. F92 and 92A.

(b) As complicated pipeline diversion works was involved, the project completion time of footbridge No. HF63 would be delayed. The CEDD had earlier completed the gas diversion works and would actively urge the contractor to speed up the progress and hoped to complete the works by mid-2018.

HyD

(c) In the case of footbridge No. HF90A, the HyD had initially collected the underground pipeline drawings of various public corporations and designed the lift construction proposal based on the known pipeline information. However, the contractor found many more underground pipelines after conducting site inspections. Among these pipelines

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were three sets of 132kV high-voltage cables located under the proposed lift’s location. The relocation work involved would seriously affect traffic in the vicinity. Therefore, a revised proposal had to be designed to move the lift to within King’s Road Playground near Tin Chiu Street.

(d) As the section of footbridge No. HF90A close to the shopping mall involved the issue of private property right, the HyD could not proceed to install the lift at that location.

(e) The HyD would later provide supplementary information to Members on the works progress of footbridge No. HF78 in Chai Wan.

CEDD/HyD 32. After discussion, Members agreed to continue following up on the item.

(Post-meeting remarks: The HyD’s supplementary information was forwarded to Members on 7 December 2017.)

(ii) Proposed Introduction of a Circular Bus Route between Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) and Tung Wah Eastern Hospital

33. The Chairman welcomed Mr Kelvin AU, Senior Transport Officer/Bus/Hong Kong Island 2 of the TD and Mr Kevin LI, Public Affairs Manager of Citybus & NWFB to the meeting.

34. The views and queries of 13 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr CHENG Chi-sing said from time to time, members of the public reflected to him the serious problem of lost trips of Route No. 8H and hoped the bus companies could make improvements. He also said a student studying at a school near Tung Wah Eastern Hospital reflected that he hoped that the departure time of the first bus of Route No. 8H could be earlier to tie in with the school hours.

(b) Mr Howard CHEUNG hoped that the TD and bus companies would increase the number of bus trips, advance the departure time of the first bus and postpone the departure time of the last bus of Route No. 8H, as well as provide the public with real-time information of bus arrivals of

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Route No. 8H through the real-time bus arrival information system.

(c) Mr Patrick LEUNG suggested the bus companies advance the departure time of the first bus of Route No. 8H. He also enquired the bus companies about the data on passengers alighting at Tung Wah Eastern Hospital terminus.

(d) Mr Frankie LO said Route No. 8H provided convenience for the public to travel to Tung Wah Eastern Hospital directly from Eastern District, so it was popular among the public. He enquired whether the bus companies were satisfied with the current passenger volume.

(e) Mr MAK Tak-ching suggested the bus companies conduct a survey on passengers about the service of Route No. 8H so as to understand the views of the public before making corresponding improvements.

(f) Mr CHIU Chi-keung enquired whether the bus companies and the TD were satisfied with the current passenger volume of Route No. 8H. He suggested that the bus companies should step up publicity efforts to promote the route and advance the departure time of Route No. 8H.

(g) Mr Andrew CHIU urged the bus companies to ensure that the service quality of other affected bus routes would be up to the expected standard while allocating resources for operating Route No. 8H .

(h) Mr Patrick WONG said Route No. 8H was widely welcomed by the public and hoped the buses companies would continue to operate the route in the future to serve Eastern District residents even if the passenger volume was not satisfactory. He suggested the TD adjust the departure time of the first bus of the route as soon as possible after the review.

(i) Mr Dominic WONG said Route No. 8H was widely welcomed by the public. He also suggested the bus companies to provide special bus trips with earlier departure time before reviewing the effectiveness of the route so that the data of the review would better reflect the needs of passengers.

(j) Mr Joseph LAI hoped that the bus companies would retain Route No.

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8H under all circumstances to serve Eastern District residents. In addition, he suggested the TD and the bus companies step up their promotion efforts of Route No. 8H and adjust the service hours so that it would operate from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

(k) Mr KUNG Pak-cheung said the route journey of Route No. 8H was too long, and due to reallocation of bus resources to operate the route, the bus services of Route Nos. 82 and 2A would be affected. He suggested the bus companies operate interchange routes to Tung Wah Eastern Hospital instead by setting an interchange station at North Point so as to make full use of bus resources.

(l) Ms Elaine CHIK suggested that the bus companies advance the departure time of the first bus of Route No. 8H to tie in with the consultation time of the morning session of Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. She also suggested that the bus companies should adjust the service of Route No. 8H to divert the passenger volume from Siu Sai Wan to Wanchai.

(m) The Vice-chairman suggested the bus companies advance the departure time of the first bus of Route No. 8H and reallocate bus resources to improve the bus services in Eastern District after the commissioning of the MTR South Island Line.

35. Mr Kelvin AU of the TD and Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

Bus companies

(a) Citybus & NWFB regularly conducted passenger volume surveys on its routes and held passenger liaison group meetings to collect public views on bus services of different routes. According to the latest operational data, recent passenger volume of Route No. 8H was slightly higher than that in July when the route started operation. Citybus & NWFB would continue to promote the route to the public.

(b) Citybus & NWFB noted the views of Members on the extension of the service hours of Route No. 8H. Citybus & NWFB had already provided interchange concessions on various bus routes connecting

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Route No. 8H in response to the needs of the public and appeals of Members. In addition, Citybus & NWFB would extend real-time arrival information service to all routes by 2018, including Route No. 8H.

TD/ Citybus & 36. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon NWFB further progress.

(Post-meeting remarks: Real-time arrival information service of Route No. 8H had been available from 15 December 2017.)

(iii) Request Citybus to Upgrade the Bus Type for Cityflyer “A” Routes or Adjust the Bus Fare

37. The Chairman welcomed Mr Kelvin AU, Senior Transport Officer/Bus/Hong Kong Island 2 of the TD, and Mr Kevin LI, Public Affairs Manager of Citybus & NWFB to the meeting.

38. The views and queries of 2 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr CHUI Chi-kin hoped that after the new airport express buses purchased by Citybus & NWFB were put into service, the situation of Citybus & NWFB using regular buses to run Cityflyer routes would improve. In addition, he enquired how the TD monitor the situation and asked Citybus & NWFB the reasons for using regular buses to run Cityflyer routes from May to October 2017.

(b) Mr Joseph LAI said that Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city. If Citybus & NWFB arranged regular buses to run Cityflyer routes without adjusting the bus fare, a poor impression of Hong Kong would be left to visitors. He hoped Citybus & NWFB could make improvements and suggest a compensation proposal.

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39. Mr Kelvin AU of the TD and Mr SIN Chi-yin of Citybus & NWFB responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

(a) The bus companies could only arrange regular buses to run Cityflyer routes under unforeseen circumstances and the TD would continue to monitor the situation.

Bus companies

(b) In general, Citybus & NWFB would deploy Cityflyer buses to serve “A” Routes. However, under special circumstances such as service delay due to traffic congestion or vehicle breakdown, Citybus & NWFB might temporarily deploy regular buses with luggage racks to run “A” Routes so as to ensure stable frequency of bus trips. In addition, due to typhoons and to accommodate large-scale events organised at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Citybus & NWFB would also temporarily deploy regular buses to cope with the additional passenger flow. As more new airport express buses were put into service during the year, the situation would be further improved. The bus fares for Citybus routes were determined according to the scale of fares published by the Government. Tung Chung and North Lantau “E” Routes mainly served the citizens travelling to and from Tung Chung and the Cargo Area. Cityflyer “A” Routes travelled on the trunk roads connecting the airport and the urban area and they mainly served passengers to and from the airport by providing direct and efficient services.

TD/ Citybus & 40. The Chairman invited Citybus & NWFB to supplement to Members the NWFB reasons for using regular buses to run Cityflyer routes from May to October 2017. After discussion, Member agreed to follow up on the issue one more time.

(Post-meeting remarks: Supplementary information from Citybus & NWFB was forwarded to Members on 11 January 2018.)

(iv) Urging the Bus Companies to Provide Additional Fare Concessions for Students

41. The Chairman welcomed Mr Kelvin AU, Senior Transport Officer/Bus/Hong

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Kong Island 2 of the TD and Mr Kevin LI, Public Affairs Manager of Citybus & NWFB to the meeting.

42. Members noted the written reply of KMB.

43. The views and queries of 3 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr LAM Sum-lim said the KMB also faced operational difficulties arising from the commissioning of the MTR Island Line Extension to Western District and South Island Line, but still offered concessions for students travelling on long-haul routes. He believed that Citybus & NWFB should also offer relevant concessions under the absence of financial deficit. He asked Citybus & NWFB to estimate the costs of offering the relevant concessions based on the student travel data and make further consideration.

(b) Mr CHUI Chi-kin anticipated that according to the current operating conditions of Citybus & NWFB, offering fare concessions for students would not result in any serious loss of profits for Citybus & NWFB. He hoped that Citybus & NWFB would fulfil their social responsibilities by providing the public with the relevant concessions.

(c) Mr Joseph LAI said offering bus fare concessions to students would not cause serious loss of profits. He hoped that Citybus & NWFB would fulfill their social responsibilities by providing the public with the relevant concessions.

44. In response, Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB said the fare structures, operating environment and financial conditions of various public transport operators were different. Therefore, it was difficult to make reference to fare concessions offered by other operators. Citybus and NWFB had not adjusted their fares for nine years counting from June 2008. Since the commissioning of MTR Island Line Extension to Western District and South Island Line, the passenger volume and revenue of the two bus companies had been greatly affected, with the overall passenger volume dropped by about 10%. Citybus and NWFB had applied to the TD for fare adjustment. Depending on the results of the fare increase application after the Government’s vetting, e, Citybus & NWFB could then consider whether it could afford the loss of offering student fare concessions.

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TD/ Citybus & 45. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon NWFBh further progress.

(v) Improving the Traffic Heading West to Island Eastern Corridor under the Sai Wan Ho Section of the Corridor

46. The Chairman welcomed Mr YAN Ki-kit, District Engineer/North Point of the HyD and Ms CHAM Shuk-wun, Engineer/Eastern 3 and General of the TD to the meeting.

TD/HyD 47. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

(vi) Strong Request to Build Multi-storey Car Parks in Eastern District

48. The Chairman welcomed Ms CHAM Shuk-wun, Engineer/Eastern 3 and General of the TD to the meeting.

49. Members noted the written replies of the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB), LandsD and Planning Department (PlanD).

50. The views and queries of 2 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr CHUI Chi-kin enquired about the data on parking spaces in Eastern District. He said the illegal parking situation at nighttime across Hong Kong was getting worse and worse, yet the Government had not increased the number of parking spaces or car parks in response to the increase in the number of vehicles. He enquired how the departments would cope with the situation.

(b) Mr CHIU Chi-keung invited the departments to provide data on parking spaces, implement specific proposals and set timetables to address the problem of insufficient parking spaces. At the same time, he hoped the THB would send representatives to attend the next meeting to provide relevant information to Members.

51. Ms CHAM Shuk-wun of the TD responded by saying that at present there

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were 53,621 parking spaces in Eastern District, including 48,582 private car spaces, 2,469 motorcycle spaces and 1,512 spaces for medium goods vehicles, with the remainder being parking spaces for heavy goods vehicles and coaches. The TD regularly monitored the average nighttime utilisation rates of short-term tenancy car parks in all districts as an index for the supply and demand in the district. Based on the information this mid-year, the average utilisation rate of short-term tenancy car parks in Eastern District was about 77%. The TD would also continue to take a series of short and medium to long-term measures to increase the supply of parking spaces in Eastern District. These include providing public car parks in new items under suitable Government, institutional or community facilities, identifying suitable Government sites for use as temporary short-term tenancy car parks (such as a Government site on Fung Yip Street in Chai Wan and the site under the Island Eastern Corridor on Tung Hei Road), and setting up nighttime parking placesa for commercial vehicles along the roads with low traffic flow. For example, nighttime parking place for goods vehicles and coaches on Tung Hei Road had already been set up.

THB/TD/ 52. The Chairman invited the THB to send representatives to attend the next LandsD/PlanD meeting to discuss the issue. After discussion, Members agreed to continue following up on the item.

(vii) (1) Request for Solving the Serious Congestion during Peak Hours at a Pedestrian Crossing outside Taikoo Place Exit of MTR Quarry Bay Station (2) Urging the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited to Build a Pedestrian Subway Connecting to Tong Chong Street at Quarry Bay Station in order to Alleviate Congestion

53. This agenda item was open to discussion at alternate meetings and would be followed up at the next meeting.

(viii) Request for Escalator Installation at Exit A of MTR Sai Wan Ho Station

54. This agenda item was open to discussion at alternate meetings and would be followed up at the next meeting.

(ix) Strong Request to Increase the Number of Seats and Introduce Low-floor Minibuses for the Four Routes Serving Kornhill As Soon As Possible

55. This agenda item was open to discussion at alternate meetings and would be

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followed up at the next meeting.

(x) Request for Early Commencement of the Staircase Improvement Works from Ming Yuen Western Street to Fort Street

56. This agenda item was open to discussion at alternate meetings and would be followed up at the next meeting.

(xi) (1) Request for Cross-harbour Buses to Charge the Same Fare as Buses Sharing the Same Routes after Crossing the Harbour (2) Requesting the Transport Department to Rationalise the Cross-harbour Bus Routes (3) Requestto Install Transfer Stations for Buses

57. Members agreed to follow up the agenda item upon further progress.

(xii) Requesting Bus Companies to Provide Monthly Pass Concessions

58. Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

(xiii) Requesting the Government and Bus Companies to Follow Up on the Safety of Electric Buses

59. The Chairman welcomed Mr Kevin LI, Public Affairs Manager of Citybus & NWFB and Mr Ivan SHEK, Environmental Protection Officer (Mobile Source) 34 of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to the meeting.

60. Members noted the written reply of the TD.

61. Mr CHUI Chi-kin enquired about the investigation findings of the Great Dragon electric bus with technical problems mentioned in the last meeting and the battery handling procedures of electric buses.

62. Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB and Mr Ivan SHEK of the EPD responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

Bus companies

(a) At the last meeting, it was mentioned that a Great Dragon electric bus

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was unable to travel due to a problem with the electric motor. After repairs and repeated testing by the bus supplier, the electric motor was found to be operating normally. In mid-September, the bus supplier installed a fault data recording device on the bus to record the fault conditions to facilitate diagnosis.

EPD

(b) According to the information provided by the electric bus supplier, the electric buses had a battery life of about eight years. If battery replacement was required, the supplier would be obliged to dispose of the used batteries properly in accordance with the Waste Disposal Ordinance.

TD/EPD/ Citybus & 63. After discussion, Members agreed to cancel following up on the agenda item. NWFB

(xiv) (1) Strong Request for Lift Installation at MTR Fortress Hill Station for Access to Ground Level (3) Request for Provision of Barrier-free Access at Exit E of MTR Chai Wan Station

64. The Chairman welcomed Ms Dorothy LAU, Assistant Public Relations Manager - External Affairs and Mr Philip LEUNG, Manager (Building and Construction Projects) of the MTRC to the meeting.

65. Members noted the written replies of the Buildings Department (BD) and Kai Shing Management Services Limited (Kai Shing).

66. Ms Dorothy LAU and Mr Philip LEUNG of the MTRC supplemented that at present all MTR stations were equipped with at least one barrier-free access to facilitate physically-challenged persons’ entry into or departure from stations. As far as practicable, the MTRC also strived to provide one passenger lift in every station connecting the street level and station concourse. Of the present 93 MTR stations, 56 stations were equipped with lifts, 34 stations did not require lift installation as their station concourses were either at ground level, equipped with ramps for wheelchair access, or passengers could gain access to the MTR stations through nearby facilities (e.g. shopping malls). At present, only Diamond Hill Station, Fortress Hill Station and Tin Hau Station had no passenger lifts

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connecting the station concourse and street level. A new passenger lift at Diamond Hill Station was being constructed in conjunction with the Shatin-to-Central Link project. For Tin Hau Station, the MTRC was planning to install a vertical platform lift near the staircase at Exit B. The MTRC understood Members’ concern over the barrier-free facilities of the stations in Eastern District. Among them, the passenger lifts at Sai Wan Ho Station and Shau Kei Wan Station connecting the concourse and street level were the MTRC’s achievements in upgrading station facilities in recent years.

67. The MTRC planned to install a passenger lift at Fortress Hill Station to connect the concourse and street level. The MTRC was also exploring with the Government departments the synergy effect between the Government-proposed construction of a Braemar Hill Pedestrian Link and the passenger lift works at MTR Fortress Hill Station. In the combined proposal initially discussed and studied by the MTRC and the HyD, the Lift Tower No. 1 of the Braemar Hill Pedestrian Link would extend downwards and an underground passageway would be constructed to connect the lift with the concourse of Fortress Hill Station. If the co-operation was realised, the two existing Government lifts beside Fortress Hill Station would maintain their service without any alteration, so that residents could still use the two lifts as usual during the construction of Braemar Hill Pedestrian Link. If there was any progress in the cooperation project, the MTRC would report to Members again.

68. The views and queries of 2 Members about the issue are summarised as follows:

(a) Mr Frankie LO said he had been following up on the request to install a lift for direct access to the street level at MTR Fortress Hill Station since 2012 but no specific project details were released yet. He urged the MTRC to set a timetable for the project at the next meeting.

(b) Mr Patrick WONG enquired the MTRC whether installing a lift at Exit C of Tai Koo Station for connection with the concourse was technically feasible.

69. Ms Dorothy LAU and Mr Philip LEUNG of the MTRC responded to the views and queries of Members as follows:

(a) The MTRC had been actively following up on the request for installing

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a lift at MTR Fortress Hill Station. However, the earlier proposal was affected by nearby works and could not be implemented as the right for temporary use of a piece of land could not be obtained. The MTRC was discussing with the Government departments on the synergy effect of the Government-proposed Braemar Hill Pedestrian Link and the passenger lift works at MTR Fortress Hill Station, and hoped the work would minimise the impact on the traffic and residents nearby. With regard to the timetable about the relevant works which Members were concerned about, the MTRC would report to Members if any progress was made in the discussion between the MTRC and the HyD.

(b) The MTRC had earlier launched free Accessible Car service at MTR Tai Koo Station for carrying passengers in wheelchairs between Exit C and Exit D1 to access the MTR services. The MTRC had to consider factors such as technologies, resources and geographical environment in the provision of station facilities. MTR Tai Koo Station was deep underground, so Exit C was far away from the station concourse. Since it was necessary to construct an escape staircase when the lift was installed, a large area of the station would be affected. However, the existing exit was located below the nearby development projects. Therefore, the works would involve great technical difficulties.

MTRCL/Kai Shing 70. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon /BD further progress.

(xiv) (2) Urgent Demand for the 3rd and 4th Entrances/Exits at MTR Fortress Hill Station (4) Request for Provision of an MTR Exit at the North of Tai On Street (5) Request for Escalator Installation at Exit A3 of MTR Shau Kei Wan Station (6) Strong Request for Lift Installation at the Concourse of MTR Tai Koo Station for Access to Ground Level (7) Providing Convenience for the Elderly to Take the MTR at Tai Koo Station (8) Installation of Paid Passageway Validators at Quarry Bay MTR Station (9) Suggestion to Install an Escalator at Exit B1 of MTR North Point Station

71. Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

(xv) Concern about the Traffic Conditions in Eastern District after the Return of the Eastern Harbour Crossing Franchise to the Government in 2016 and Urging

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Adoption of Practical Measures to Prevent Traffic Congestion in Eastern District

72. Members agreed to follow up the agenda item upon further progress.

(xvi) Request to Offer Green Minibus Service Connecting Shau Kei Wan, A Kung Ngam and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

73. Members agreed to follow up the agenda item upon furtherprogress.

(xvii) Strong Request for More Car Parks for Large Vehicles in Eastern District Urging the Government to Build Multi-storey Car Parks or Allocate More Sites for Parking

74. Members agreed to follow up the agenda item upon further progress.

(xviii) Propose to Zone the Land under the Island Eastern Corridor (Tam Kung Temple Road to Wholesale Fish Market) for Parking Purposes in order to Make Good Use of Public Space

75. The Chairman welcomed Ms CHAM Shuk-wun, Engineer/Eastern 3 and General of the TD to the meeting.

76. Members noted the written replies of the LandsD and PlanD.

77. Ms CHAM Shuk-wun of the TD supplemented that the TD had completed the planning for site formation works under the Island Eastern Corridor for its future use as a car park, and was conducting consultations with the departments concerned and the local community on the relevant site formation works.

TD/LandsD 78. Mr CHIU Chi-keung hoped the TD would implement the project as soon as /PlanD possible.

79. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

(xix) Request to Improve the Illegal Parking Situation of Coaches in North Point: Reviewing the Effectiveness of Temporary Coach Parking Place on Hoi Yu Street, Quarry Bay

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80. Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

(xx) Urging the Government to Give an Account of the Safety Related to the Maintenance of North Point Dangerous Goods Vehicular Pier

81. Members noted the written replies of the CEDD and TD.

TD/CEDD 82. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up the agenda item upon further progress.

(xxi) Will the Half-baked Idea of “Franchised Taxi” Meet the Same Fate as Food Trucks? Why Does the Government Still Disallow the Legalisation of the Sharing Economy Model for Passenger Carriage Service?

83. The Chairman welcomed Miss Doris WONG, Senior Transport Officer/Eastern of the TD to the meeting.

84. Members noted the written reply of the THB.

85. Mr Andrew CHIU invited the TD to consult the views of Members when carrying out the relevant legislation work and requested the TTC to follow up on the aforementioned issue upon further progress.

86. Miss Doris WONG of the TD responded that the Government had submitted the latest proposal to the Panel on Transport of the Legislative Council in April this year and recommended in June that a bill should be introduced as soon as possible for the launch of franchise taxis. The authorities would report to the TTC upon further progress.

THB/TD 87. After discussion, Members agreed to follow up on the agenda item upon further progress.

(xxii) Progress Report on Traffic Improvement Projects by TD / HyD, including Works Completed, under Construction or Planning in the Past Two Months, with Timetable (as in October 2017)

88. The department(s) had no project to report.

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IX. Any other business

89. Members raised no other issue for discussion.

X. Date of the Next Meeting

90. The meeting ended at 6:35 pm. The date of the next meeting would be announced later.

Eastern District Council Secretariat January 2018