(Translation)
Minutes of the 4th Meeting of the the Traffic and Transport Committee (2017) of Kwai Tsing District Council
Date： 12 October 2017 Time: 2:31 p.m. – 4:05 p.m. Venue: K&T DO Conference Room
Attendee Time of Arrival Time of Departure (p.m.) (p.m.) Mr TSUI Hiu-kit (Chairman) Start of Meeting End of Meeting Ms KWOK Fu-yung (Vice-chairman) Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr CHAN Siu-man, Simon 2:53 3:53 Ms CHEUNG Wai-ching, Clarice Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr CHOW Wai-hung, Rayman 3:38 End of Meeting Mr CHOW Yick-hay, BBS, JP Start of Meeting 3:17 Miss CHU Lai-ling Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr HUI Kei-cheung Start of Meeting End of Meeting Ms LAM Chui-ling, Nancy, MH Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr LAM Siu-fai Start of Meeting End of Meeting Ms LAU Mei-lo 3:36 End of Meeting Mr LAW King-shing, BBS, MH Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr LEUNG Chi-shing 2:42 End of Meeting Mr LEUNG Kam-wai Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr LEUNG Tsz-wing, Dennis Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr LEUNG Wai-man, MH 2:39 End of Meeting Mr LI Sai-lung Start of Meeting End of Meeting Miss LO Yuen-ting Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr NG Ka-chiu Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr NG Kim-sing 2:44 End of Meeting Mr PAU Ming-hong Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr POON Chi-shing, MH Start of Meeting End of Meeting Ms TAM Wai-chun, MH Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr WONG Bing-kuen 3:37 End of Meeting Mr WONG Yiu-chung, MH Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr WONG Yun-tat 2:44 End of Meeting Mr CHAN Dik-sau Start of Meeting 3:18 Mr Elson CHOW Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr LEUNG Kong-ming Start of Meeting End of Meeting Mr LEUNG Kwok-wah Start of Meeting 4:00
In Attendance Miss LEE Che-ying, Emily Engineer (Kwai Chung), Transport Department Mr FUNG Ka-kit Engineer (Tsing Yi), Transport Department Mr TAM Lai-ming Senior Transport Officer (Kwai Tsing), Transport Department Mr. HUEN Ming Hei, Edmund Engineer (New Territories West), Civil Engineering and Development Department Ms CHOW Hoi-yi District Engineer/KT, Highways Department Ms PUN Fun-yu District Engineer/SW (W), Highways Department Mr TSANG Yiu-tim Officer-in-Charge, District Traffic Team, Kwai Tsing Police District, Hong Kong Police Force Ms Peggy WONG Assistant Manager (Planning & Development)), The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. Ms WONG Yee-ling, Debbie Assistant Manager (Operations), The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. Mr Utan WONG Assistant Manager (Operations), The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. Miss YIM Yik Huen, Bonnie Assistant District officer (Kwai Tsing), Kwai Tsing District Office Miss CHAN Hau-sin, Priscilla Executive Officer (District Council) 1, (Secretary) Kwai Tsing District Office
Absent with Apologies Mr LEE Chi-keung, Alan, MH (With prior notice) The Hon. MAK Mei-kuen, Alice, BBS, JP (With prior notice) Mr TANG Shui-wah, MH (With prior notice) Mr LAU Wing-fai (With prior notice) Mr YIP Pui-lam (With prior notice) Mr CHAN Man-luen-ying (Without prior notice) Mr HO Wai-pan (Without prior notice) Mr LAI King-wai (Without prior notice) Mr LI Man-ka (Without prior notice) Responsible Department Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed Members and representatives of government departments and organisations to the 4th meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee (2017) of Kwai Tsing District Council (K&TDC).
2. The Committee unanimously endorsed the application of absence of Mr LEE Chi-keung, Alan, The Hon. MAK Mei-kuen, Alice, Mr TANG Shui-wah, Mr LAU Wing-fai and Mr YIP Pui-lam.
3. The Hon. MAK Mei-kuen, Alice authorised Ms LAU Mei-lo to vote on her behalf at the meeting.
4. Mr LAU Wing-fai authorised Mr WONG Yun-tat to vote on his behalf at the meeting.
Discussion Items
Requesting Improvement of 249X Routing to Shorten Journey Time (Proposed by Mr TSUI Hiu-kit, Mr LEE Chi-keung, Alan, MH, Ms LAM Chui-ling, Nancy, MH, Mr POON Chi-shing, MH, Ms TAM Wai-chun, MH and Miss LO Yuen-ting) (TTC Paper No. 28, 28a, 28b/D/2017)
5. The Chairman introduced the paper.
6. Mr POON Chi-shing, MH urged The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. (KMB) to consider the feasibility of the suggestion and to give a timeframe to effect as soon as possible the proposal of shortening the journey time of Route No. 249X, and enquired about the difference in the journey time between the current and proposed routing.
7. The Chairman asked why the Transport Department (TD) and KMB had not considered improving the routing during off-peak hours to shorten the journey time.
8. Miss LO Yuen-ting urged KMB to provide Members with the information about the review of the routing as soon as possible.
9. Mr TAM Lai-ming responded that the department noted Members’ opinions and 3 Responsible Department it had been taking follow-up actions on the routing of Route No. 249X together with KMB. No decision had been finalised so far.
10. Ms Peggy WONG responded that:
(i) Route No. 249X had been re-routed and its service had been upgraded to whole-day service with effect from 4 March this year. Generally speaking, KMB would review the service after the re-routing took effect for 3 to 4 months.
(ii) The traffic in Route 3 towards Lung Cheung Road / Ching Cheung Road was comparatively congested at peak hours. If Route No. 249X took the route via the Stonecutters Bridge instead of Kwai Chung Road, the journey would be one to two kilometres longer than the original one and the journey time would increase by at least five minutes.
(iii) KMB noted Members’ opinions and was currently in discussion with the TD on whether Route No. 249X to adopt different routes at different hours. KMB would consult the K&TDC and the Sha Tin DC after it had made the decision.
(iv) KMB expected that a reply would be provided to the Committee before the next meeting.
11. Mr LEUNG Wai-man pointed out that traffic congestion happened frequently in Lung Cheung Road and suggested re-routing via the Stonecutters Bridge towards the Eagle’s Nest Tunnel.
12. Mr POON Chi-shing urged KMB and TD to provide more data, such as the average journey time of different bus routes, so that Members could seek residents’ opinions.
13. The Chairman pointed out that heavy traffic congestion happened in Kwai Chung Road because there were more traffic lights along the road. If No.249X was re-routed via the Stonecutters Bridge, the journey distance might be longer but the journey time would be shortened. He urged TD and KMB to consider re-routing via the Stonecutters Bridge or Route 3 as soon as possible.
14. Mr TAM Lai-ming responded that Members’ opinions were noted and he would 4 Responsible Department actively discuss with KMB after the meeting.
15. The Chairman urged TD and KMB to submit the decision about the re-routing Transport before the next meeting. Department
Motion: “Requesting Implementation of Full Day Service for Cross-Harbour Route No. 948” (Proposed by Mr TSUI Hiu-kit, Mr LEE Chi-keung, Alan, MH and Mr LEUNG Wai-man, MH) (Seconded by The Hon. MAK Mei-kuen, Alice, BBS, JP, Mr LAW King-shing, BBS, MH, Ms LAM Chui-ling, Nancy, MH, Ms TAM Wai-chun, MH, Mr POON Chi-shing, MH, Mr TANG Shui-wah, MH, Miss LO Yuen-ting and Mr CHAN Siu-man, Simon) (TTC Paper No. 29, 29a, 29b/D/2017)
16. Mr LEUNG Wai-man introduced the paper.
17. The Chairman put forth opinions as follows:
(i) Route No. 948 had been running at irregular frequencies at peak hours in the evening due to the joint operation of bus companies.
(ii) Due to the insufficient frequencies at peak hours, it was difficult for some passengers to board the buses.
(iii) He suggested that the morning operating hours could be extended until noon.
(iv) He asked New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) when the Estimated Bus Arrival Time Service (the “Time Reporting Service”) would be provided for Route No. 948 and suggested that NWFB should launch the service at jointly-operated routes first.
18. Mr TAM Lai-ming responded that:
(i) The frequencies of No. 948 on weekday morning had been improved since 3 October this year. The department would continue to monitor the operation and the passengers’ needs, and would review the service arrangement with the bus company in a timely manner.
5 Responsible Department (ii) NWFB expected that the Time Reporting Service would cover all their routes by 2018. He would convey to NWFB regarding the Chairman’s advice that the Time Reporting Service should be launched at jointly-operated routes first.
19. Mr POON Chi-shing said that the insufficient frequencies of services at peak hours in the morning and at night made it difficult for passengers to board the buses. He urged the bus companies to increase the frequencies.
20. Ms CHEUNG Wai-ching, Clarice urged the TD to pay attention to the problem that residents in the Greenfield Constituency usually found it hard to board Route No. 948P as the buses were always full.
21. The Chairman urged TD and the bus company to take prompt actions to solve the problem that the buses of Route No. 948 were always full at peak hours. He also suggested that the route could be changed from jointly-operated to solely-operated so as to improve service quality.
22. Mr TAM Lai-ming responded that there had been no precedent for change from joint to sole operation so far, and that Members’ opinions were noted.
23. Mr Utan WONG responded as follows:
(i) KMB welcomed further information on Route No. 948 provided by Members so that it could timely adjust its service as needed.
(ii) KMB would render its service as instructed by the TD.
24. The motion was passed by Members unanimously.
Discussing Lost Trip Problem for Bus Route No. 45 (Proposed by Mr WONG Yiu-chung, MH) (TTC Paper No. 30, 30a, 30b/D/2017)
25. Mr WONG Yiu-chung introduced the paper.
26. Mr PAU Ming-hong urged KMB to adopt 10.8m single-deck buses (including back-up buses) for Route No. 45 so that the buses would not have to skip stops due to the adoption of buses with length exceeding the authorised length limit of King Cho 6 Responsible Department Road. This would ensure that residents in Cho Yiu Chuen would no longer face the same problem.
27. Mr TAM Lai-ming responded as follows:
(i) The lost trip report submitted by the TD calculated all actual bus trips that deviated from the scheduled trips. Lost trips were subject to various factors including those controllable by the bus companies such as absence of the drivers or those beyond their control such as adverse weather.
(ii) TD had always been monitoring the bus service. Pursuant to Public Bus Service Ordinance (Cap. 230). If the franchised bus company did not comply with the directions or requirements given by the Government under the Ordinance or its franchise or failed to maintain proper and efficient service, Chief Executive in Council may impose financial penalty on such bus company or revoke its right to operate a service on a specified route or of franchise pursuant to the Ordinance. In terms of administrative arrangements, if a franchised bus company failed to provide service as required by TD, TD would generally follow up and state necessary improvements by written notice. If such bus company did not give reasonable explanation or make improvements, TD would warn it in writing that the requirements must be complied with and improvements must be made within a specific timeframe. As for individual lost trip cases or lost trip of a whole route, TD would send a reminder or warning letter to the franchised bus company depending on the continuity and the severity of the case, requiring improvement to be made by the company within a specific timeframe. If the bus company ignored the warning, TD would consider proposing authorised penalty imposed by the Chief Executive in Council.
28. Ms WONG Yee-ling, Debbie responded that it was sometimes necessary to adopt 12m buses in Route No. 45 due to possible breakdown of 10.6m buses. However, 12m buses could not stop at Cho Yiu Chuen on King Cho Road because the bus length exceeded the limit of the road, and thus led to the problem of lost trips. KMB would discuss with TD on how to improve the road condition of King Cho Road for use by more 12m buses.
29. Mr WONG Yiu-chung asked why TD did not follow up on the lost trip problem 7 Responsible Department of Route No. 45 with KMB. He criticised that it was unacceptable that buses had to skip the Cho Yiu Chuen stop due to insufficient number of 10.6m buses for the route.
30. Mr TAM Lai-ming responded that TD had arranged staff to conduct the on-site investigation but they had never seen 12m buses adopted in that route. TD had all along requested KMB to improve the irregularity of its services due to controllable causes and KMB would usually make improvements upon receiving such suggestions from the department.
31. Ms WONG Yee-ling, Debbie said that 12m buses would only be deployed to Route No. 45 in case of an unexpected breakdown of the 10.6m bus. Normally, KMB adopted 10.6m buses for Route No. 45.
32. Mr WONG Yiu-chung urged TD to provide the information of the follow-up actions taken against the lost trip problem of Route No.45 in the past two years after the meeting.
33. Mr TAM Lai-ming agreed to provide such information after the meeting. Transport Department Concern over Traffic Problem in Tsing Yi Southwest (Proposed by Mr POON Chi-shing, MH and Mr LEUNG Wai-man, MH) (TTC Paper No.31, 31a/D/2017)
34. Mr POON Chi-shing introduced the paper.
35. The Chairman said that the ancillary transportation facilities on Ching Hong Road (North) had to be improved as a number of public housing buildings would soon be completed there and the population would increase remarkably. He asked whether the Housing Department (HD) had conducted relevant transportation impact assessments (TIA) and consultations with TD.
36. Mr FUNG Ka-kit responded that TD was preliminary assessing the application submitted by HD for TIA on the new three-building public housing project in Cheung Ching Estate.
37. Mr POON Chi-shing said that a large number of residents would reside in the public housing buildings on Tsing Hung Road and in Cheung Hong Estate upon completion of the projects. The existing problem of insufficient public transport service would deteriorate after completion of the projects. He urged TD to tackle the problem 8 Responsible Department and put forward improvement proposals as soon as possible.
38. Mr WONG Yiu-chung said that he understood the need to expedite the supply of public housing. However, he pointed out that the TD should work out a comprehensive public transport plan as early as possible when planning new public housing projects instead of taking remedial measures only when problems arose after their completion.
39. The Chairman asked TD how to plan for public ancillary transport facilities in respect of Tsing Yi Southwest public housing projects and whether any public housing development projects had been rejected because the relevant transport planning failed to support such projects.
40. Mr POON Chi-shing asked TD what bus routes would be arranged to go via the new bus stop and urged TD to consider the overall public transport planning in Tsing Yi South.
41. Mr FUNG Ka-kit responded as follows:
(i) The outcome of the TIA in respect of the public housing projects on Tsing Hung Road showed that the turnaround at Ching Hong Road / Tsing Yi Road would reach its capacity. Therefore, the department would plan to widen the turnaround and add bus stops at the end of Tsing Yi Road.
(ii) The TIA on the public housing project in Cheung Ching Estate was still in progress. HD would conduct transport improvement works at the relevant junction or turnaround when necessary. TD had rejected the application made by HD for changing the land use on Container Port Road in Kwai Chung from temporary parking use to residential use.
(iii) It was difficult to conduct TIA on all public housing projects at one go as their progress of works differed.
42. Mr TAM Lai-ming said that, around two years before the new project in-take, |the department would inspect whether the public transport service in the area was sufficient to cater to the expected number of passengers upon resident in-take of the project. TD would consider introducing new service or / and enhancing the existing public transport service when necessary.
9 Responsible Department Report Items
Working Group Reports
Road Safety Working Group (TTC Paper No. 32/R/2017)
43. Members noted and endorsed the above paper.
Public Transport Services Working Group (TTC Paper No. 33/R/2017)
44. Mr HUI Kei-cheung suggested that the monitoring of minibus Route No. 89 and Route No. 89B should be enhanced in the Public Transport Service Investigation Campaign in Kwai Chung West as passengers at Shek Tau Street could hardly board the minibuses.
45. Miss CHU Lai-ling said that the opinion was noted and would be conveyed to the Member-in-charge of the relevant campaign.
46. Members endorsed the above paper.
Public Complaints in relation to the Traffic and Transport Committee received by the Secretariat of the Kwai Tsing District Council (TTC Paper No.34/R/2017)
47. Mr LEUNG Kam-wai enquired about the progress of the follow-up taken in respect of the complaints against the insufficient bus service of Route No. 43A and the long standing problem of obstruction of footways and carriageways by Pak Lee Logistics Limited.
48. Mr TAM Lai-ming said that TD had arranged on-site inspections after receiving the complaints on bus service but the situation mentioned in the case was not found during the inspection. TD had informed the complainant of the investigation result.
49. Mr TSANG Yiu-tim said that they had increased the frequency of patrols at night and were dealing with the obstruction case with other departments. The investigation result was not available at the moment.
10 Responsible Department 50. Mr NG Kim-sing asked TD how it regulated the operation of LPG powered folklifts on footways and carriageways and whether licences were required to operate such vehicles.
51. Mr FUNG Ka-kit responded that relevant licences were required to operate LPG powered folklifts and the operation must be within the places specified on the licence. It was illegal to operate a folklift on public roads without licence.
52. Mr TSANG Yiu-tim responded as follows:
(i) Licences were not required if the folklift was operated in indoor private places. However, if a folklift was operated on outdoor roads, licences were required and third-party insurance must be purchased. Besides, the folklift should be operated within the places specified on the licence.
(ii) The Police, together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, had combatted the problem of road obstruction by large cargos.
(iii) The Police had prosecuted against the cases of operating folklifts illegally on Tai Lin Pai Road.
(iv) The Police would first give warnings against road obstruction that did not affect road safety at night and would take prosecution actions if no improvement was made afterwards.
53. Mr POON Chi-shing said that as the car park on Cheung Fai Road (near the turnaround) was used by many residents in Rambler Crest, the safety of the residents who went home at night would be hampered if logistic companies obstructed the road. As such, he urged the Police and relevant departments to intensify combating the problem of obstruction.
54. Mr LAM Siu-fai requested the Police and the TD to intensify combating the problem of road obstruction at night outside North Kwai Chung Market on Shek Yam Road so as to ensure that such problem would not affect the running of buses.
Information Papers
11 Responsible Department Kwai Tsing District Traffic Accident Report (TTC Paper No. 35/I/2017)
55. Members noted the above paper.
Projects and Timetables of Major Traffic Improvement Works Completed in the Past Two Months, In Progress or to be Commenced in Six Months by the Highways Department (TTC Paper No. 36/I/2017)
56. Mr HUI Kei-cheung requested the Highways Department to repaint the yellow box markings and hatched markings and improve the rugged bituminous road surface of Tai Wo Hau Road, Texaco Road and Tsuen Fu Street in project NE/15/02376. He also urged the department to commence the works for project NW/16/01961 as soon as possible.
57. Ms CHOW Hoi-yi said that follow-up actions on the projects would be taken Highways after the meeting. Department
Lost Trip Report of Buses in Kwai Tsing District (July to August 2017) (TTC Paper No. 37/I/2017)
58. Mr LAW King-shing pointed out that the lost trip rates of most bus routes were 2.5-5% according to the report and requested TD to explain whether the rates were normal.
59. The Chairman said that the TD had further categorised the lost trip rates into peak hours and off-peak hours. Therefore, the current figures were different from previous figures.
60. Mr TAM Lai-ming said that since the lost trips due to suspension of bus service as a result of hoisting of Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 or above were included in the data of July and August, the rate of lost trips was higher than that of previous months in which no typhoon occurred. Besides typhoons, bus service was also affected by other bad weather conditions such as rainstorm. Therefore, if only lost trips resulting from hoisting of Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 or above were excluded, the actual situation of bus service might not be presented.
61. The Chairman suggested that figures including and excluding lost trips under 12 Responsible Department bad weather conditions could both be provided so that Members could have a comprehensive picture of the issue of lost trips.
62. Mr HUI Kei-cheung requested TD to submit details in respect of the on-site inspection on the operation of minibuses and the regular lost trip report. He also complained that the lost trip problem of minibus Route No. 89 was serious.
63. Mr LEUNG Kam-wai requested TD to provide the information on bus lost trips that were not affected by bad weather, and the information of the lost trip investigation on minibus Route No.313.
64. Mr CHOW Wai-hung, Rayman said that the lost trip problem of minibus routes No.89, 94 and 98 was deteriorating due to manpower shortage. He urged TD to look into the problem. He also said that the Estimated Bus Arrival Time Service System (EBATSS) for bus routes No. 34, 37 and 38 showed wrong estimations, and requested TD and KMB to rectify as soon as possible.
65. Mr TAM Lai-ming gave responses as follows:
(i) The suggestion of excluding the figures of lost trips affected by typhoons was noted and he would see after the meeting whether the suggestion was feasible in the light of the resources available.
(ii) He would enquire about the location where Route No. 313 minibuses skipped stops and the results of the on-site investigation after the meeting.
(iii) The opinions on minibus routes No.89 and 89b were noted and follow-up actions on the problem of lost trips would be taken after the meeting.
(iv) TD would arrange on-site inspections on the operation of minibus routes No.89, 94 and 98 after the meeting.
66. Ms WONG Yee-ling, Debbie responded that KMB continued updating the software of the EBATSS to provide passengers with more accurate information about the arrival time.
67. Mr Utan WONG supplemented that KMB had installed inspection devices on a trial basis at locations where congestion and delay happened frequently, such as Lei Yue 13 Responsible Department Mun Road. Information on the EBATSS would be updated when buses passed the devices. If the outcomes were satisfactory, the devices would be installed in other locations after the trial period.
68. Mr HUI Kei-cheung urged TD to submit minibus lost trip report on a regular basis so that the public could know more about their service quality.
69. Mr TAM Lai-ming said that TD had been monitoring the service of minibuses and had arranged on-site inspections when resources were available. TD noted the wish of Members, but whether the wish could be put into practice depended on the availability of resources.
Date of Next Meeting
70. The next meeting was scheduled to be held at 2:30 p.m. on 14 December 2017 (Thursday).
Kwai Tsing District Council Secretariat November 2017
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