DC Paper No. 8/2014 (For discussion on 25 February 2014)

Progress Report of the Traffic and Transport Committee

The first meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee (T&TC) in 2014 was held on 23 January 2014. The major issues discussed are summarised below:

Industrial accidents relating to the Guangzhou-Shenzhen- Express Rail Link (XRL) 2. Members had concern about details of the safety measures taken by the Government, MTR Corporation Limited (MTRC) and the contractor in respect of the construction of Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), including occupational safety seminars and health checks provided for workers, number of resident site safety officers, work environment inside tunnel sites such as air quality, as well as lunch breaks and rest periods for workers.

3. The representative of the Railway Development Office (RDO), Highways Department (HyD) emphasized that occupational safety was the primary concern of the Government, MTRC and the contractor. He reiterated that MTRC and the contractor had devoted many resources for the purpose. Various government departments including RDO would monitor the situation through regular meetings, inspections and reporting. Furthermore, independent works consultants had been engaged to check whether the safety measures were adequate and effective.

4. The representative of MTRC responded that MTRC would ensure the safety of XRL construction works by a three-pronged approach: firstly, formulate a series of safety standards and measures with the contractor and perform monitoring through daily site inspection. Secondly, request the contractor to provide a suitable and safe working environment and thirdly, enhance workers’ awareness of occupational safety through organising various activities and publicity plans. In response to the enquiry about occupational safety seminars and health checks, the representative said that the contractor would arrange the workers to attend seminars and health checks by batches during work hours. Besides, resident site nurse was employed at each site to carry out simple body check for workers feeling unwell. As regards lunch breaks and rest periods, the representative said that workers would have a rest period for half an hour on ground level by batches after working for every two hours. Workers would have two rest periods each day. Some of the tunnels had air-conditioned common room where workers would choose to take a rest or have meals. Regarding the air quality inside the tunnel, the representative emphasized that the contractor would make sure that requirements of relevant labour guidelines and safety standards were met. Also, staff of the Labour Department would conduct checking regularly. So far as the number of resident site Registered Safety Officer was concerned, the representative said that these Safety Officers were employed by the contractor and the figure was not available at the moment. Lastly, the representative emphasized that MTRC’s resident site project team would conduct inspection at site every day and would contact the contractor promptly to handle any unsafe issues or irregularities. If any potential danger was identified, the contractor would be asked to suspend works immediately.

Report on overhead line equipment problem leading to train service disruption in in the morning of 22nd January 2014 by MTRC Request for MTRC to explain the fire broke out at the roof of a Light Rail Vehicle 5. Members had grave concern about Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) incidents that happened repeatedly and they opined that these incidents reflected problems in the maintenance and regulatory system of Light Rail (LR). Members suspected that the problems might be due to shortage of manpower or aging components. In respect of the incident happened in December last year, Members wished to know if MTRC had provided appropriate guidelines for train captains to respond to emergencies. Regarding the incident owing to an overhead line equipment problem leading to train service disruption that happened in January this year, Members opined that the emergency response of LR was not effective. Many passengers waiting at LR platforms were not informed of the incident through the broadcast system or information display boards promptly. Since MTRC had not deployed more trains to enhance the service of route nos. 705 and 706 so that passengers would have taken the to Town and , passengers had to wait for a number of trains before getting on board. The feeder buses despatched by MTRC after the incident would not effectively manage the crowd. Likewise, MTRC staff could not offer any proposals for passengers to transfer to other means of public transport. Members thought that MTRC should pay due regard to the problem by implementing specific improvement measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Members also proposed MTRC to make predictions about all possible incidents and then formulate corresponding contingency plans. Members requested MTRC to submit a report to T&TC and present its proposals on improvement measures in detail after MTRC had completed the comprehensive investigation reports on the two incidents. Members also proposed to urge the Transport and Housing Bureau to instruct MTRC to implement improvement measures.

6. The representative of MTRC apologised to passengers affected by the incident happened in the morning of 22nd January. He pointed out that at about 8:50am on 17 December last year, a coupled-set LRV Line 706 at the platform of LR Tin Wu Stop (to Stop direction) was about to leave when passengers informed the train captain that smoke had emitted from the rear compartment near the air-conditioning system. In accordance with relevant guidelines, the train captain and the Control Centre arranged to evacuate about 160 passengers from the train to take the next train. No one was injured in the incident and train service was not disrupted. Upon confirming that smoke did come out, staff switched off the air-conditioning system, held down the pantograph of the rear compartment and drove the LRV away from the mainline to the emergency platform at Hung Tin Road. Upon arriving at the emergency platform, the train captain found sparkle at the position where smoke had emitted. He immediately notified the Fire Services Department for assistance. Another incident happened at about 6:15am on 22nd January. An overhead line between LR Hang Mei Tsuen Stop and Tong Fong Tsuen Stop activated the safety installation due to insulator problem, resulting in power supply for some LR Line sections being affected. Maintenance staff performed repair work immediately. During the period, LR Hang Mei Tsuen Stop and eight stops between Tong Fong Tsuen Stop and were affected, among them LR Lines 610, 614, 615, 751 and 761P had to be re-routed. MTRC had provided free feeder buses to run 130 trips, serving a total of around 7 600 passengers. It had also deployed staff to assist affected passengers and had informed the Transport Department (TD) to ask other public transport operators to strengthen their services during the period. At about 8:32am, repair work had completed and LR service gradually resumed to normal. The representative reiterated that the primary task of MTRC was to ensure the safety of passengers and staff members and it spent over $5,000 million each year on adopting advanced equipment and technology for the maintenance, updating and routine testing of its traffic system. Besides, all trains would be inspected each day before service commenced. After the incident that happened last year, MTRC had arranged to inspect Phase III trains of the same model which were manufactured in Australia with a view to ensuring that the trains would operate normally. The representative said that MTRC was investigating the two incidents thoroughly and would approach the suppliers concerned for follow-up. He emphasized that MTRC had provided adequate guidelines for staff to handle all kinds of incidents and in fact, staff involved in the above incidents had taken appropriate actions in accordance with the guidelines to handle the situation. In response to Members’ enquiry about why MTRC had not strengthened train service in Tin Shui Wai in the light of the incidents, the representative said that during that time, special arrangements could not be made as the road section leading to Tin Shui Wai was affected by the incident. As regards Members’ concern about inefficient dissemination of information, the representative said that MTRC had announced the relevant information to members of the public and passengers immediately through platform broadcast, mobile applications and the media. Moreover, additional staff had been deployed to the affected stations to assist passengers and informed them of the relevant arrangements. He apologised to passengers again for the inconvenience caused by the incidents.

7. After discussion, Members carried forward the following motion with an absolute majority of votes:

“This Committee strongly condemns MTRC for the train incidents that happened repeatedly and urges the Transport and Housing Bureau to strengthen monitoring, provide stiffer penalties, enhance maintenance and staff training with the aim of ensuring the safety of passengers’ lives and properties.”

Request for improving the uneven road surface of the zebra crossing next to Shui Moon House, Tin Shui Estate and the driveway opposite to GMB stop of route no.77 at Tin Shui 8. Members expressed appreciation towards HyD’s prompt action in completing the resurfacing works efficiently. Some other Members enquired about HyD’s arrangements of routine road maintenance works and whether HyD had examined if other materials would be used for pavement works to minimise resurfacing works owing to wear and tear of materials.

9. The representative of HyD thanked for Members’ appreciation and said that HyD staff would continue to inspect the road surface regularly with a view to identifying damages and carrying out necessary repair works as soon as possible. The representative pointed out that HyD had conducted detailed examination and site testing on the design of the components of bituminous surfacing material. HyD tried to adopt improved bituminous material recently and asked the contractor to continue to keep close contact with the manufacturer, tighten control over the production process and work procedures of the material for the purpose of ensuring the quality of road works concerned.

Request for mitigating the noise problem at Light Rail 10. Members reflected that as the service hours of LR were from 5am to 1am in the next morning, residents living adjacent to LR stops and tracks were disturbed by the noise generated from the operation of LR almost for the whole day. The noise included broadcast in the stops, sound of friction created by the contact of trains with tracks, as well as sound produced by train captains when pressing the horns. Members proposed MTRC to adjust the sound level of broadcast in light of the time of the day, to replace the existing horns with electronic horns and to take noise mitigating measures such as spraying of water on tracks. Members also requested the Secretariat to relay information on black spots affected by noise generated from LR in the district to MTRC, so that MTRC would take more targeted and practical actions to tackle the problem.

11. The representative of MTRC said that LR would broadcast service messages on platforms and inside compartments, for example, opening/closing door buzzer to remind passengers of safety while boarding or alighting. The sound must be maintained at a certain level especially because the visually impaired would rely on it as a reminder. MTRC noted Members’ view and would be committed to strike a balance. For example, the sound level of broadcast would be lowered during night time (“night mode”) and the situation of LR Tin Shui Wai Stop would be reviewed. Besides, since the operation of LR must comply with relevant environmental protection requirements such as the Noise Control Ordinance, MTRC would carry out track maintenance work regularly and take noise mitigation measures. MTRC would pay attention to the noise generated by LR trains running between Chung Fu Stop and Tin Tsz Stop. Regarding train captains pressing horns, MTRC had formulated strict guidelines to advise train captains of procedures and codes on ringing the bell and using the air horns. Only in case of emergency or when necessary would the train captains employ air horns as a warning to alert passengers or road users to mind their safety. MTRC would monitor the situation and ensure its staff had followed the instructions. MTRC noted the proposal of using electronic horns and it was examining the electronic horns being used by other LR system operators to see if the performance of such device would meet the operation and safety standards of MTRC.

Request for provision of a speed ramp at Long Ho Road 12. Members reflected that many traffic accidents involving casualties had happened at Long Ho Road. They proposed TD to provide a speed ramp and to change the speed limit of Long Ho Road from 50km per hour at present to 20km per hour. Members supplemented that they did not agree with TD that the proposal was unacceptable owing to possible discomfort caused to passengers by the speed ramp. They urged TD to review the policy of providing speed ramps and requested TD to retain the speed ramp erected by residents until any improvement measures were to be implemented by TD.

13. The representative of TD said that TD would not recommend providing speed ramps on public roads, such as Long Ho Road, managed by TD. It was because when vehicles passed by the speed ramp at high speed, discomfort or even injury would be caused to passengers, especially pregnant women, in the vehicles. Nevertheless, TD had provided traffic signs and road markings there to remind drivers and pedestrians to pay attention to the circumstances. Besides, balustrade had been installed at the exit of pedestrian subway to request cyclists to reduce speed, pay attention to vehicles in motion and cross the road under safe conditions. TD staff would inspect Long Ho Road again to see if blind spot did exist and make improvement as far as possible. Before further improvement measures had been implemented, TD would negotiate with the Police to step up enforcement actions against speeding.

Proposal to discuss matters relating to improvement of the footbridge connecting Tin Shing Court and Tin Yiu Estate 14. Members pointed out that residents who wished to go to Yiu Man House bus stop by using the said footbridge would have to walk through the entrance of Tin Yiu Estate and cross the LR Tin Yiu Stop pedestrian crossing, which was time-consuming. Members considered that the proposal would help stream pedestrians. Members requested representatives of TD to inspect the site with Members to see if the proposal was feasible.

15. The representative of TD said that HyD had completed widening works of Tin Yiu Road walkway in mid-November 2013. At present, the width of the walkway under the footbridge was about 4 metres, which could provide more space for pedestrians to wait for vehicles and enhance the mobility of pedestrians. On the other hand, the proposal of providing a staircase would occupy and narrow the walkway. The representative of TD said that TD would make reference to other examples in the district to assess whether it was suitable to carry out the proposed works at the location.

Proposal to discuss matters relating to divert vehicles by using Kam Ho Road towards to relieve traffic congestion at Pok Oi Roundabout 16. Members reflected that owing to traffic congestion at Pok Oi Roundabout, there was always a queue of stationary traffic at Yuen Long Highway which delayed the journey to Yuen Long Town. Actually, drivers could use Road via Interchange and Road—Yuen Long Section to go to Yuen Long Town so as to avoid travelling to the said congested section. However, most drivers did not know the said alternative route and had not made use of it. In this connection, Members suggested TD provide signs and electronic display board at the exit of (Yuen Long bound) and Highway near Fairview Park to remind drivers of the alternative route with a view to relieving the traffic congestion at Pok Oi Roundabout.

17. The representative of TD said that TD had planned to provide additional signs at Tsing Long Highway near Kam Tin Road entrance, and to add the wordings “Au Tau” on the original sign that read “Kam Tin” so as to remind drivers that they could travel to Yuen Long Town via Kam Tin Road. At present, there was a variable message sign at Tsing Long Highway (Yuen Long bound) which provided traffic messages for drivers. TD would liaise with Route 3 (CPS) Company Limited to examine whether they would make use of the variable message sign to remind drivers of choosing the alternative route to travel to Yuen Long Town via the “Kam Tin” “Au Tau” exit when Pok Oi Roundabout was congested.

Request for provision of Octopus Value Adding Machines and Visitor Information Counter at Shenzhen Bay Port 18. Members did not agree with the written reply regarding the captioned subject provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Octopus Cards Limited respectively, both of which had not assigned staff to attend the meeting. The former said that visitors coming from Shenzhen Bay Port were mostly group travelers and the latter said that Shenzhen Bay Port had not met the pre-requisites, i.e. provided with good safety and management measures, for installing Octopus Value Adding Machines. Members proposed the above organisations and franchised bus companies operating scheduled bus services connecting Shenzhen Bay Port to consider providing Octopus Value Adding Machines, Passenger Service Counter and Visitor Information Centre for the convenience of cross-boundary residents and travelers.

Progress Report from the Transport Department 19. Members noted the above report.

Statistics on cycling accidents and related enforcement actions 20. Members noted the above report.

Traffic congestion at Shan Road resulting from influx of visitors for red leaves 21. Members reflected that as many visitors went to view the red leaves earlier, Tai Tong Shan Road became very congested and residents nearby were affected. They hoped the relevant departments would submit proposals to resolve the problem in the long run, for example, TD should delineate a single yellow line at Tai Tong Shan Road promptly so that the problem would not become a seasonal one.

22. The representative of TD said that works order had been issued to HyD for delineating a single yellow line. The representative of Police said that the congestion was caused by illegal parking of vehicles near the barbecue site at Tai Tong in Tai Lam Country Park. Since those vehicles had occupied half of the road surface, large vehicles did not have sufficient space to turn about, resulting in traffic congestion. In this connection, the Police had negotiated with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) which was responsible for the management of Tai Lam Country Park and proposed to erect railings on roads in the vicinity of the said barbecue site to curb illegal parking. AFCD had relayed the views to HyD and TD in writing after the meeting.

Yuen Long District Council Secretariat February 2014