The minutes were confirmed on 20 February 2019 without amendment.

Minutes of the Sixth Meeting of Yuen Long District Council in 2018

Date : 18 December 2018 (Tuesday)

Time : 9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Venue : Conference Room, Yuen Long District Council, 13/F., Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long

Present Time of Arrival Time of Withdrawal Chairman: Mr SHUM Ho-kit, JP (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Vice-chairman: Mr WONG Wai-shun, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (12:00 noon) Members: Mr CHAM Ka-hung, Daniel, (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) BBS, MH, JP Ms CHAN Mei-lin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr CHEUNG Muk-lam (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr CHING Chan-ming (Beginning of the meeting) (1:40 p.m.) Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr CHOW Wing-kan (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr KWOK Hing-ping (Beginning of the meeting) (12:35 p.m.) Mr KWOK Keung, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (1:55 p.m.) The Hon KWONG Chun-yu (Beginning of the meeting) (1:25 p.m.) Ms LAU Kwai-yung (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) The Hon LEUNG Che-cheung, (Beginning of the meeting) (1:35 p.m.) SBS, MH, JP Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen (Beginning of the meeting) (1:15 p.m.) Mr LEUNG Ming-kin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr LUI Kin, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) The Hon LUK Chung-hung, JP (Beginning of the meeting) (1:00 p.m.) Ms MA Shuk-yin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr MAK Ip-sing (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr MAN Kwong-ming (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (1:35 p.m.) Mr SIU Long-ming, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (1:50 p.m.) Mr TANG Cheuk-him (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Cheuk-yin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Ho-nin (Beginning of the meeting) (1:15 p.m.) Mr TANG Ka-leung (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Lai-tung (Beginning of the meeting) (11:05 a.m.) Mr TANG Sui-man (Beginning of the meeting) (12:30 p.m.) Mr TANG Yung-yiu, Ronnie (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TO Ka-lun (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TSANG Shu-wo (Beginning of the meeting) (12:25 p.m.) Mr WONG Cheuk-kin (Beginning of the meeting) (12:30 p.m.) Ms WONG Wai-ling (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr WONG Wai-yin, Zachary (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr YIU Kwok-wai (10:10 a.m.) (End of the meeting) - 1 -

Mr YOUNG Ka-on (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Ms YUEN Man-yee (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Secretary: Mr KONG Kwok-piu, Bill Senior Executive Officer (District Council), Yuen Long District Office Assistant Secretary: Ms WONG Man-ting, Mandy Executive Officer I (District Council), Yuen Long District Office

In Attendance Mr YUEN Ka-lok, Enoch, JP District Officer (Yuen Long) Mr NG Lak-sun, Nixon Assistant District Officer (Yuen Long) 1 Ms POON Wai-yi, Joanna Assistant District Officer (Yuen Long) 2 Mr CHAN Hon-kwan, Harris Senior Liaison Officer (Rural), Yuen Long District Office Ms CHEUNG Lai-wa, Senior Liaison Officer (Town), Yuen Long District Michelle Office Mr LAM Chi-keung, Desmond Chief Engineer/West 1, Civil Engineering and Development Department Ms KEE Wing-yin, Fionn Chief School Development Officer (Yuen Long), Education Bureau Mr WONG Chin-ip District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Yuen Long) (Atg.), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Mr LEE Wai-man District Commander (Yuen Long), Hong Kong Police Force Mr LEE Man-wai Assistant Police Community Relations Officer (Yuen Long District), Hong Kong Police Force Ms LAM Yat-kiu Senior Housing Manager/Yuen Long, Housing Department Ms CHAN Suet-ching, Angela District Lands Officer/Yuen Long (District Lands Office, Yuen Long), Lands Department Mr WONG Yat-keung, Clement Administrative Assistant/Lands (Atg.) (District Lands Office, Yuen Long), Lands Department Ms LUNG Lai-seung, Wendy District Leisure Manager (Yuen Long), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Mr NG Yuk-man, David District Planning Officer (Tuen Mun and Yuen Long West), Planning Department Ms CHU Wing-yin, Diana District Social Welfare Officer (Yuen Long), Social Welfare Department Mr KWONG Ka-yin Chief Transport Officer/New Territories North West, Transport Department

Item II Ms Mable CHAN, JP Commissioner for Transport Ms HO Wai-yin, Irene Assistant Commissioner for Transport/New Territories, Transport Department Mr CHOW Bing-kay Senior Engineer/North West, Transport Department Mr YEUNG Shiu-wing, Chris Senior Engineer/Special Duties, Transport Department

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Item V Mr WONG Ching-yuen Assistant Manager, Traffic Operations, Long Win Bus Company Limited

Items VI to VIII Mr Addie LAM Deputy Head, Communications and Public Affairs Department, The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited Ms Debby WONG Assistant Manager, Operations, The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited Mr TANG Ching-kit Assistant Manager, Planning and Development, The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited

Absence Mr CHAN Sze-ching Absent with apologies Mr LAI Wai-hung Absent with apologies

* * * * *

Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed Members and departmental representatives to the sixth meeting of the Yuen Long District Council (“YLDC”) in 2018.

2. The Chairman extended a particular welcome to Ms Mable CHAN, JP, the Commissioner for Transport (“C for T”) to the meeting.

3. The Chairman also welcomed Mr WONG Chin-ip, who succeeded Mr CHEUNG Pui- chung as District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Yuen Long) (Atg.), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. On behalf of the YLDC, the Chairman thanked Mr CHEUNG for his past assistance to the DC.

4. The Chairman welcomed the following departmental representatives to the meeting:

Lands Department Administrative Assistant/Lands (Atg.) Mr WONG Yat-keung, Clement (District Lands Office, Yuen Long) (Stood in for Mr NG Ping-tong, Gordon, Administrative Assistant/Lands (District Lands Office, Yuen Long))

Hong Kong Police Force Assistant Police Community Relations Officer Mr LEE Man-wai (Yuen Long District) (Stood in for Mr LEUNG Tsz-kin, Police Community Relations Officer (Yuen Long District))

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Housing Department Senior Housing Manager/Yuen Long, Ms LAM Yat-kiu (Stood in for Mr WONG Wing-hung, Stephen, Chief Manager/Management (Tuen Mun and Yuen Long))

Leisure and Cultural Services Department District Leisure Manager (Yuen Long) Ms LUNG Lai-seung, Wendy (Stood in for Mr WONG Shu-yan, Francis, Chief Leisure Manager (New Territories North))

5. As for the agenda, the Chairman was pleased that Ms Mable CHAN, the C for T was present today to have a face-to-face meeting with Members. Ms CHAN was also delighted to share with Members her views on local traffic matters. Therefore, he recommended that Items II to VIII be dealt with together for the exchange of views among the Commissioner and Members. They were Item II, “Meeting with the Commissioner for Transport”, Item III, “concern over the effectiveness of rationalising traffic distribution among the three road harbour crossings to alleviate traffic congestion in Hong Kong”, Item IV, “progress of applications by residents’ coaches in Yuen Long for joining the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme”, Item V, “increasing the service frequency of bus route no. A37, reducing the fare and providing Wifi access”, Item VI, “This Council strongly condemns the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and urges that special bus service Route B1 plying Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North be provided by allocating additional buses”, Item VII, “This Council strongly condemns the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and urges that special bus service Route B1 running among Tin Shui Wai Central, Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North (not via Yuen Long Town) be provided by allocating additional buses” and Item VIII, “This Council urges relocating the bus terminus of Route B1 to Tin Yuet Estate to benefit more residents in Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North”. The Chairman said the C for T had to leave the meeting for other official duties at 11:30 while the Assistant Commissioner for Transport (“AC for T”) and other departmental representatives would stay until the end of the discussion on the agenda items. He hoped Members would manage the time effectively and keep their speeches as concise as possible.

6. The Chairman suggested referring “request that the Lift Modernisation Subsidy Scheme be improved” proposed for discussion by the Hon LEUNG Che-cheung, SBS, MH, JP, Mr LUI Kin, MH, Mr KWOK Keung, MH, Mr SIU Long-ming, MH, Ms WONG Wai-ling and Ms MA Shuk-yin to the Culture, Recreation, Community Service and Housing Committee (“CRCS&HC”).

7. As Mr MAK Ip-sing, Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH, Mr TO Ka-lun, Mr LUI Kin, MH, Mr Zachary WONG and Mr YIU Kwok-wai had informed the Secretariat before the meeting that they would like to make oral declarations at the meeting, the Chairman proposed inviting the six Members to do so after Item VIII.

8. Members raised no objection to the agenda.

Item I: Confirmation of the Minutes of the Fifth Meeting of Yuen Long District Council (“YLDC”) in 2018

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9. The minutes of the fifth meeting of the YLDC in 2018 were confirmed.

Item II: Meeting with the Commissioner for Transport

Item III: Question from DC Members: Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen, Mr CHING Chan-ming, Ms YUEN Man-yee and Mr LEUNG Ming-kin proposed to discuss “concern over the effectiveness of rationalising traffic distribution among the three road harbour crossings to alleviate traffic congestion in Hong Kong” (YLDC Paper No. 91/2018)

Item IV: Question from DC Member: Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH proposed to discuss “progress of applications by residents’ coaches in Yuen Long for joining the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme” (YLDC Paper No. 92/2018)

Item V: Question from DC Member: Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH proposed to discuss “increasing the service frequency of bus route no. A37, reducing the fare and providing Wifi access” (YLDC Paper No. 93/2018)

Item VI: Motion from Members: The following motion was moved by Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH and seconded by Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH: “This Council strongly condemns the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and urges that special bus service Route B1 plying Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North be provided by allocating additional buses.” (YLDC Paper No. 94/2018)

Item VII: Motion from Members: The following motion was moved by Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH and seconded by Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH: “This Council strongly condemns the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and urges that special bus service Route B1 running among Tin Shui Wai Central, Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North (not via Yuen Long Town) be provided by allocating additional buses.” (YLDC Paper No. 95/2018)

Item VIII: Motion from Members: The following motion was moved by Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH and seconded by Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH: “This Council urges relocating the bus terminus of Route B1 to Tin Yuet Estate to benefit more residents in Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North.” (YLDC Paper No. 96/2018) 10. The Chairman once again welcomed the presence of Commissioner for Transport (“C for T”), Ms Mable CHAN, JP, to meet with Members. He referred Members to Paper Nos. 91 to 96 about Members’ questions and motions on traffic issues in the district, as well as the replies on the issues from the Transport Department (“TD”), Long Win Bus Company and Kowloon Motor Bus Company (“KMB”). The Chairman also welcomed the following TD representatives to the meeting:

Transport Department Assistant Commissioner for Transport/ Ms Ho Wai-yin, Irene New Territories

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Senior Engineer/North West Mr CHOW Bing-kay Senior Engineer/Special Duties Mr YEUNG Shiu-wing, Chris Chief Transport Officer/NT North West Mr KWONG Ka-yin

11. The Chairman said that as Ms Mable CHAN, JP would leave the meeting early because of other official commitments, the AC for T would then answer questions raised by Members. He hoped Members would make good use of the speaking time.

12. Ms Mable CHAN, JP said the YLDC was the seventh DC she had visited since she assumed office. She hoped to take the opportunity to listen to views of DC Members and the public. She had just received many petitions, and understood this had been due to the long history of Yuen Long District, which comprised Yuen Long Town, Tin Shui Wai and a complex transport network. The TD hoped to create a pedestrian-friendly environment through the development of more footbridges and other pedestrian crossing facilities, while at the same time seeking to improve the traffic condition of the district through close communication with the YLDC. The TD had requested public transport operators to improve their services, based on views of YLDC Members about public transport services. While understanding the public’s wish to see rapid improvement, the TD had to consider how the development of transport services could meet the practical needs of commuters. She had asked Ms Irene HO to give a briefing on the public transport strategy of Hong Kong, and on ways to improve the existing road designs and infrastructure in Yuen Long District, in an effort to resolve traffic problems and enhance road safety. She hoped Members would express their views and make requests.

13. Ms Irene HO briefed Members on the city’s public transport strategy and the improvement works undertaken by the TD to tie in with the development of the district.

14. The Chairman thanked the C for T and the AC for T for their briefings, and suggested the slides just played be provided for Members’ reference after the meeting. The C for T agreed.

15. Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen said the large number of petitions received by the C for T before the meeting suggested there was much room for improvement in respect of transport services in Yuen Long District. At each meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee (“T&TC”) under the YLDC, a long time was spent on discussing traffic issues. Members had worked very hard to solve traffic problems in their constituencies. As Yuen Long’s population had been growing rapidly in recent years, traffic congestion happened frequently and the shortage of parking space became acute. Government departments were actively studying solutions. On the other hand, access roads to Tai Lam Country Park were inadequate because of growing numbers of tourists and people from other districts, especially during the season of red leaves appreciation. As the TD had operated temporary bus route 68R plying between Yuen Long (Yoho Mall) and Tai Tong Shan Road to meet visitor demand, he hoped the bus route would be made regular or a new bus route would be opened to cope with passenger needs. He also hoped the TD and the Highways Department (“HyD”) would work together to improve transport services in the area, while developing Yuen Long South and Shap Pat Heung South.

16. Mr CHING Chan-ming expressed concern about implementation of the schedules for Northern Link and Route 11. The projects had been mentioned in every Policy Address in the past, and the YLDC had proposed Route 11 be connected with Kung Um Road to attract the traffic from

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Yuen Long Town and the future Yuen Long South Development Area, thus relieving traffic congestion in Yuen Long Town. He also pointed out that a number of development projects would be launched in Yuen Long District in the near future, but the Authorities had yet to put forward any new designs for road networks in the district, which remained less well developed. Therefore, he hoped the C for T would relay the issue to the Transport and Housing Bureau (“THB”). Regarding the notification of traffic information, he pointed out that DC Members of all constituencies could not get hold of the latest information about emergency traffic incidents. He suggested the TD disseminate real-time information to DC Members through mobile applications, so that they could update residents of their constituencies on the traffic condition, thus reducing traffic congestion. Lastly, he cast doubt on the effectiveness of the government’s proposed scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among the three road harbour crossings (“RHCs”). He expressed worries that, if the scheme was implemented, the Western Harbour Crossing (“WHC”) might be overloaded with vehicles diverted from the Cross Harbour Tunnel (“CHT”) and the Eastern Harbour Crossing (“EHC”), as most of the vehicles to Hong Kong Island used the WHC during peak hours. He also suggested tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel be lowered to attract traffic from Sheung Shui and Fanling to the tunnel and then to the WHC, in order to achieve the desired effects of the scheme.

17. Ms YUEN Man-yee thanked the Government for introducing the Universal Accessibility Programme in 2012, which led to the construction of a footbridge connecting Yuen Long Plaza with West Rail Long Ping Station. As the works were in good progress, the footbridge was slated to be opened for public use next month. Regarding the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with the Long Ping Station, she had learned the Government had proceeded to draw up specific arrangements for expediting the project. As the Chairperson of the Working Group on Building a Safe Community in Yuen Long (“WGBSC”), she suggested the Government explore the feasibility of providing barrier-free facilities for persons with disabilities and the elderly to use the elevated pedestrian corridor.

18. Mr LEUNG Ming-kin expressed support for the Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic flow at the RHCs, saying that the WHC could help divert vehicular flows, thus easing CHT and EHC traffic load. As the feasibility study of Route 11 commenced in May 2018, he suggested the Government actively study the possibility of building a tunnel at Kung Um Shan to connect Kung Um Road with Route 11 to cater for the transport needs of more than 80 000 residents in the future Yuen Long South Development Area. He also suggested provision of a road to connect One Hyde Park with Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange for Yuen Long South residents to travel to Yuen Long Town more conveniently. On the other hand, he suggested that the nullah in Yuen Long South be decked to widen the road there, the fence on the flyover linking Kung Um Road with Kiu Hing Road opposite the entrance of Park Signature be demolished, and the planters along Shap Pat Heung Road be removed to ameliorate traffic congestion. Lastly, he hoped the authorities would expedite the progress of the one-way road project to connect Park Signature with Shap Pat Heung Road.

19. Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH hoped the C for T and the AC for T would show concern about the transport needs of residents in Tin Shui Wai, which had long been ignored by the TD. He had submitted to the C for T a proposal on improving the traffic condition of Tin Shui Wai, and would make a few points at the meeting as follows. First of all, regarding the measures to re-distribute traffic among three RHCs, he said the tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel should also be lowered to divert more traffic to use the WHC via the Tai Lam Tunnel. Secondly, he suggested exemption of the toll for residents’ service coaches using the Tai Lam Tunnel, while supporting the Government’s proposal to exempt the toll for franchised buses using government tunnels. He said direct fare reductions by franchised bus operators could benefit the community at large. As the Government had proposed

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franchised bus operators transfer savings on toll expenses to a dedicated fund account with the balance used to offset future fare increases, he considered it too long-term a solution to immediate problems. He said bus fares should be immediately reduced to benefit the public. Regarding the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, he suggested the TD actively liaise with and provide assistance to Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited (“Kwoon Chung”), the major provider of residents’ coach services in Yuen Long District. He said residents would not be able to benefit from the scheme if the bus routes of Kwoon Chung could not be included in the scheme before 1 January next year because of cumbersome formalities and high thresholds. Lastly, he hoped the TD would review the arrangements for bus route B1, while asking the bus company to commit extra resources for launching a route plying between Tin Shui Wai North and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point via Kingswood North. He pointed out that residents in Tin Shui Wai North had been asking for the bus route for many years, and hoped the C for T and the AC for T would understand their needs and listen to their voices.

20. Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH expressed support for a proposed reduction in WHC tolls, an arrangement in the Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among three RHCs, with a view to benefitting WHC users. However, she expressed worries that reduction of WHC tolls would instead increase the traffic flow of the tunnel, thus aggravating congestion there. Consequently, drivers originally using the tunnel would also be affected. She also suggested the tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel be reduced accordingly, but had reservations about a double increase in CHT tolls. She hoped the authorities would seriously deal with the issue of rationalising the traffic distribution of the three RHCs, lest Yuen Long District residents would experience traffic congestion when using the WHC. She also said she had asked for a split-up of bus route B1 for years but in no avail, although residents in Tin Shui Wai North had been looking forward to the opening of a bus route plying to the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. She was disappointed that the relevant motions recently raised by her had been put aside at a particular meeting, and hoped the C for T would show more concern about the traffic condition of Tin Shui Wai North.

21. The Vice-chairman expressed support for the Government’s scheme to rationalise the traffic distribution of the three RHCs, saying it could facilitate traffic flow, decrease the number of private vehicles on the roads and encourage the use of public transport. He said the scheme could also freeze WHC tolls to ease toll-hike pressure. He hoped the TD would do more to publicise the benefits of the scheme to expedite its implementation. Apart from this, as southbound roads remained seriously congested after the improvement works at Pok Oi Interchange, he urged the TD to re-consider whether to accept the traffic impact assessment for the columbarium project beside Pok Oi Hospital, lest emergency relief work would be affected in the future. On the other hand, he hoped the TD would implement his proposal of building a Tuen Mun-bound slip road from the westbound direction of Pok Oi Interchange. On the issue of diverting traffic flow at Pok Oi Interchange, he suggested some bus routes be re-routed to Yuen Long Town via Kam Tin. He said this could help ease congestion at the interchange, when more bus routes became available to residents of Long Shin Estate and Tung Shing Lei. He hoped the TD would include the residents’ coach services in the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly as residents of many remote Yuen Long areas travelled to and from the district using the services. He also pointed out that the locations and designs of two bus stops at a section of westbound Castle Peak Road entering Yuen Long Town had probably been responsible for frequent traffic congestion there. He hoped the TD would take measures to improve the situation. Regarding the parking space shortage in Yuen Long District, he hoped the TD would review relevant planning guidelines and provide a multi-storey car park to increase the supply of parking spaces, thus checking the increase of car park rents. Lastly, he commended the TD for actively addressing traffic problems in Yuen Long District.

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22. Mr Daniel CHAM, BBS, MH, JP said that Kwoon Chung Bus, one of the major residents’ coach service providers in Hong Kong, recently revealed to the media that the application procedures of the non-means-tested Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme were cumbersome. The scheme would come into force on 1 January 2019. Kwoon Chung said that, in order to fulfil the scheme requirements, it had to spend more than $10 million upgrading the Octopus payment system on its coaches and the upgrade would take six months to complete. He enquired whether the upgrade of the payment system would really cost more than $10 million, saying that if it was true, it would be a heavy financial burden for residents’ coach operators, and would discourage them from joining the scheme because the resources they put in would bring them no actual benefits, except benefitting passengers. On the other hand, he pointed out that the journey time of some airport buses (i.e. “A” route buses), such as A36, which served Yuen Long District, was longer as they travelled via the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (“BCFs”) of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. He suggested the TD introduce a new bus route to the BCFs, so as not to take up resources from the existing airport buses. He also pointed out that the population of Yuen Long District would increase by 400 000 after completion of the new development areas in Hung Shui Kiu, Yuen Long South and Kam Tin South. As external transport facilities of the district were insufficient and West Rail trains were not frequent enough during peak hours, it was difficult to board a train at Yuen Long and Kam Sheung Road Stations. Since the situation had not improved after the MTR upgraded the signalling system, he suggested the authorities plan a new rail line to meet passenger demand. On the other hand, the frequencies of Light Rail trains were grossly insufficient during peak hours. Route 751, in particular, provided only single-compartment trips at an interval of 10 minutes. He also hoped the TD would show concern and take follow-up actions about the inadequate provision of service frequencies of a number of bus routes, including 969, E34A, 269C and 69X. He said Tin Ying Road should be retained in the future Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area (“HSKNDA”) Project as it served as an important external traffic link between Tin Shui Wai and the new development area. He also expressed concern that Route 11 might not be completed even after completion of the HSKNDA. He said the authorities should not develop the new development areas of Yuen Long District until after completion of transport infrastructure and external transport links in the district and before new residents moved in, lest the development of transport facilities would not keep up with population growth.

23. Mr CHEUNG Muk-lam hoped the authorities would review the green minibus (“GMB”) policy, pointing out that the capacity of 16-seat GMBs was not sufficient enough to meet passenger demand. He suggested franchised bus services be introduced in rural areas to tie in with rural development and relieve public transport demand during peak periods. On the other hand, most Members suggested certain nullahs in the district be decked to release more space as traffic chaos in Yuen Long District had been aggravated by rapid population growth, frequent traffic congestion and the insufficient provision of car parking spaces. Many motions had been raised about the issues, but no progress had been made in improvement works. He hoped the C for T would carefully consider the comments and requests raised by Members at the previous meetings of the T&TC under the YLDC. Among them was to introduce a sectional fare system for bus routes 268X and 68X. Separately, quite many improvement works had been conducted at Pok Oi Interchange over the years, reflecting a lack of long-term planning on the part of the Government. He hoped the Government would take a macro perspective in formulating the planning for the overall transport development of the New Territories West, while urging the authorities to explore the possibility of constructing a coastal rail link between Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, covering Hung Shui Kiu, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, with a view to easing the traffic load of West Rail. Lastly, he suggested the Government proactively study the construction of a tunnel at Kung Um Shan to facilitate public access to urban areas and reduce reliance on the Tai Lam Tunnel, because as many as 80 000 people would move to the Yuen Long South Development Area in the future.

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24. Mr CHOW Wing-kan said he was pleased to note that the TD would install traffic detectors on major trunk roads while studying the possibility of installing smart sensors at signal-controlled junctions. He suggested all traffic information be combined into Big Data, so that transport planning could be done more efficiently. For busy roads, such as Tin Yiu Road, Tin Shui Road, Tin Fuk Road, Long Tin Road, Hung Fuk Road, Pok Oi Interchange, the roads connecting Route 3 and San Tin Highway, availability of a Big Data database would assist in analysing and facilitate transport planning. He suggested following the practices of mainland cities: bus fares were charged based on bus stop distances as indicated by positioning systems while bus fares payable were calculated according to the location of the bus stop and the boarding and alighting times when the smart card was tapped. The data collected would be used to analyse passengers’ travelling pattern and for transport planning. On the other hand, as bus arrival time was affected by the waiting time before the traffic lights, he suggested smart sensors retrofitted at signal-controlled junctions be connected to the Big Data database, so that bus frequency could be planned more efficiently. He suggested the Government set up a Big Data database and share data with bus service providers to enhance the effectiveness of transport planning.

25. Mr KWOK Keung, MH hoped the authorities would secure funding from the Legislative Council (“LegCo”) as soon as possible for the construction of the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station. The project was important for Yuen Long Town, given pavement and road space constraints. As a paradise for foodies and shoppers, Yuen Long District attracted large numbers of tourists there. Consequently, vehicle-pedestrian conflicts were frequent in Yuen Long Town. As the Government had been making vigorous efforts to develop Yuen Long District in recent years, the existing pavement and road networks in Yuen Long Town would not be able to cope with future population growth. The YLDC had repeatedly discussed provision of elevated pedestrian corridors and underground passages at major road junctions in Yuen Long Town, and had proposed decking of nullahs to release more road space. In early 2009, the TD proposed the idea of building an elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town. In 2010, the department announced the estimated construction cost was around $860 million. The construction of the elevated pedestrian corridor was anticipated to commence in 2014 and to be completed in 2019, with the possibility of being extended to Ma Tong Road. The project gained support from the majority of Members, but was dragged on because of political considerations. Then, the construction cost doubled. The Government put in a lot of effort and gazetted the project in 2016 after many consultations. No objection was received at that time. However, after the funding application had been submitted to the LegCo for consideration, five professional institutes in the architectural industry raised objection, citing the construction cost of $1.7 billion was exorbitant. A number of YLDC Members demanded implementation of the project and met with some Members of the Finance Committee (“FC”) of the LegCo. The latter expressed no objection to the project – except that the construction cost should not exceed $1.7 billion – and suggested the Government should first invite tenders. The authorities had since done nothing. The project had been dragged on; the construction cost kept going up. Therefore, he hoped the C for T would show concern about the issue, and stressed to the Chief Executive the importance of the works project in ameliorating traffic and pedestrian congestion in Yuen Long Town. He pointed out the elevated pedestrian corridor could not only link up the south and north of Yuen Long Town, but avoid members of the public from walking in the crowded streets of the downtown area. He said the facility could also provide convenient access among West Rail Long Ping Station, On Ning Road and Castle Peak Road - Yuen Long.

26. Mr KWOK Hing-ping hoped the C for T would make things happen fast after listening to

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Members’ views during her YLDC visit. The TD would provide 90 private car parking spaces on Wetland Park Road, and developers would engage in the development of real estate projects in the area to provide more than 1 000 residential units. He wondered whether the parking spaces were designed for the new population brought in by the real estate projects, or for residents of housing estates nearby. Now that the number of people on the waiting list for allocation of parking spaces at public housing estates was increasing, he suggested provision of a multi-storey car park there to meet the needs.

27. The Hon KWONG Chun-yu hoped the TD would make a greater effort in addressing the transport development of Yuen Long District. He was aware that it was no easy job to deal with traffic and transport issues, especially the development of different bus routes. He also understood any work done might not bring instant results. Yuen Long was relatively a remote district, but the West Rail carrying capacity was already unable to cope with the increasing number of passengers. People found it difficult to board the train during peak hours and had to wait for the next train. He requested more West Rail train carriages be provided and the signalling systems upgraded to remove the obstacle to providing additional train carriages, and pave the way for increasing train service frequency. Meanwhile, he expressed worries that the Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among the three RHCs might backfire if it was carried out hastily. While the authorities were seeking to re-distribute the traffic of three RHCs through toll adjustments, the increase in CHT tolls was remarkably higher. He hoped the scheme would be implemented in phases, with WHC tolls reduced in the first place. Secondly, he pointed out the population density in Yuen Long District would go higher because of the development of Yuen Long South where the population would increase by about 80 000. Now that external transport services in the district were already unable to meet the demand, he hoped that the authorities would consult YLDC Members on the actual situations of the district if any new development plans came up in the future, lest the YLDC would become a body just for being informed.

28. Mr Ronnie TANG was pleased that the TD had commenced a study on the improvement works at Kam Tin Road, a section of which was susceptible to flooding in the past 30 years. Members had finally seen the encouraging change, after they had written to the authorities many times about the issue but never received replies. He hoped the TD would carry out the improvement works expeditiously so that the Drainage Services Department could improve the drainage condition at Kam Tin Road. He said the population of Yuen Long District was growing as one in every seven Hong Kong residents lived there. He looked forward to a change in government thinking so that the development of a new town would not commence until after transport facilities there had been developed to reduce traffic problems caused by an increasing population.

29. Mr LUI Kin, MH said President Xi Jinping praised the Chief Executive for “having the spirit of taking up challenges and not avoiding difficult tasks.” He hoped the TD would face up to difficulties and improve the traffic condition of Yuen Long District in the same manner. He hoped the authorities would secure LegCo funding early to construct the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station. The works project was discussed as early as 2009 and was passed in the LegCo in 2014. When the Government gazetted the works project in 2016, there was no objection. The funding application was withdrawn in response to some dissenting voices. He hoped the Government would expedite the commencement of the works project as pedestrian access between the north and south of the area to relieve traffic and pedestrian congestion in Yuen Long Town. At the same time, he suggested two direct traffic lanes be provided at Shap Pat Heung Interchange to facilitate access to Fung Ki Road, and to alleviate traffic congestion. He hoped the authorities would also study resolving the problem of narrow pedestrian crossings at

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Light Rail Fung Nin Road Station.

30. Ms MA Shuk-yin said she had reservations about the Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among the three RHCs. She said people used the less congested WHC to save time. Things might be different when the scheme, after implementation, caused WHC traffic to increase, thus affecting drivers and commuters currently using the tunnel. She also said franchised bus companies should immediately reduce bus fares after tunnel tolls for franchised buses were waived to help alleviate the burden of travelling expenses on the public. On the other hand, she suggested provision of a whole-day bus route plying between Tin Shui Wai and Tai Po, saying there were currently only 264R and 265S in Yuen Long District operating the route. The former operated on the weekends and the latter provided only two departures in the morning and one return trip in the afternoon. She said it was difficult to get on the bus at Tin Yiu Estate because of the insufficient provision of the trips and the heavy demand of commuters working in Tai Po. On the other hand, she said the bus trips of 69M and 269M had been frequently cancelled without notice or delayed during off-peak hours recently. She hoped the TD would report this to the bus company and make improvements.

31. Ms WONG Wai-ling said she would like to take the opportunity to reflect some local concerns to the C for T. First of all, Light Rail, an important mode of public transport in Tin Shui Wai, had failed to meet passenger demand. For example, as there were not many Light Rail lines operating via Chestwood Station, she hoped Light Rail vehicle frequencies would be increased. Secondly, she thanked the TD for arranging an emergency passage for Tin Shui Wai Hospital ambulances to exit Tin Ying Road via Tin Wah Road to facilitate rescue work. On the other hand, she was disappointed that only special bus service Route B1 to/from Tin Shui Wai North had been introduced although residents had asked for years for a bus route plying between Tin Shui Wai North and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. She said the TD had ignored the needs of residents in Tin Wah Estate and Tin Chung Court, who had never been fully consulted on the matter. She suggested the bus route be extended to cover Tin Wah Estate and Tin Chung Court, and that the bus company devote extra resources to open a bus route plying between Tin Shui Wai North and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Otherwise, she would strongly oppose special bus service Route B1 and demand its suspension.

32. Mr MAK Ip-sing expressed welcome to the suggestion of reducing EHC and WHC tolls in the Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among the three RHCs, citing the frequent use of the WHC by residents of Yuen Long District. As the district had a population of close to 600 000, and most of them took the MTR or buses to their work places in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, he hoped the MTR would upgrade its signalling systems as soon as possible and increase the train frequency of West Rail. Secondly, he pointed out that peak-hour frequencies of bus routes, such as 968, 268C and 268X, were far from enough, while commuters at the last few bus stops of the district could not get on the buses at ease. He suggested bus franchises be put out for open tendering by bus companies to improve bus services. He also hoped the authorities would study and implement the projects of Northern Link and Route 11 as soon as possible. Lastly, he urged for expeditious implementation of a number of works projects in Yuen Long District, including the widening of a section of southbound Fung Ki Road turning left into Shap Pat Heung Road, Fung Cheung Road, Kin Tak Street and Ma Tong Road. He also urged the TD to expedite the works progress in cooperation with the HyD.

33. Mr MAN Kwong-ming said the Government estimated that around 14 million passengers

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would pass through control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods. It was also estimated that a daily average of about 100 000 passengers would travel via San Tin Public Transport Interchange during the periods. He said San Tin Public Transport Interchange had been overloaded with tourist coaches and vehicles lining up there during the recent National Day Golden Week holiday to reach the Huanggang Port, causing congestion at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and San Tin. He urged the TD to improve the traffic condition of the area, and suggested an idle land site next to the interchange be used as a buffer zone. He also suggested San Tin Public Transport Interchange should be used as an interchange for buses travelling via San Tin Road to pick up cross-boundary passengers. He also hoped the Government would study and implement the Northern Link project. On the other hand, many GMB vehicles were ageing and dilapidated, and that the TD should do something about them. Lastly, he suggested residents’ coach services be introduced at new housing estates, such as Maple Gardens and Casa Paradizo.

34. Ms LAU Kwai-yung hoped the TD would work closely with other Government departments to address traffic problems in Yuen Long District. She said that car parking spaces had been in great demand in recent years and the 90 private car parking spaces which the TD planned to provide in Tin Shui Wai North would be unable to meet demand because of some new housing estates to be completed there. Given the insufficient provision of parking spaces in Tin Shui Wai, she compiled information about the supply of parking spaces at different housing estates in Tin Shui Wai, and found more than 1 000 private car owners were on the waiting list for the allocation of parking spaces at housing estates in Tin Shui Wai North. Recently, quite a few members of the public expressed worries they might not find rental parking spaces. She hoped the C for T would show concern about the issue and explore ways to increase the provision of parking spaces in Tin Shui Wai. She also hoped the authorities would introduce automated parking systems to address the shortage of parking spaces.

35. Mr YIU Kwok-wai said the Tung Tau Industrial Area in Yuen Long used to be an industrial and commercial location. Since the Government changed the land use of the area, there were increasing numbers of residential buildings. A West Rail station was nearby, but the provision of bus services was insufficient. There were not many public transport means available for residents. The TD had tried to relieve the transport woes in the district through a bus interchange scheme, but the fare of 268C, the bus route on the scheme, was rather high, making it costly to take the bus to switch to other buses with low fares. He suggested short-haul bus routes be launched to resolve the problem. Secondly, he suggested the bus interchange concessionary scheme be improved, so that bus passengers having paid the fare for the first leg and switched to another bus route at the Tai Lam Tunnel interchange could still enjoy the interchange concession even if the balance on the Octopus card was negative. He also requested the Northern Link project be commenced expeditiously and extended to areas currently not served by railway through the creation of Lau Fau Shan Station, Tin Shui Wai North Station, Pok Oi Station, San Tin Station, Kwu Tung Station and Lok Ma Chau Station. He also hoped the C for T would consult Members on the route designs of the Northern Link. Lastly, he pointed out that B1, the bus route which Yuen Long District residents mostly took to the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, did not operate via Tin Shui Wai North, while special bus service Route B1 to/from Tin Shui Wai North proposed by the TD and the bus company was inadequate. Despite this, he still hoped special bus service Route B1 would be launched as early as possible because residents in Tin Shui Wai North had asked for the route for years. He said the bus route could be improved and reviewed afterwards. He pointed out that the TD had overlooked the public transport demand of Tin Shui Wai North residents, and hoped it would attach importance to the provision of local transport services.

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36. Mr TANG Cheuk-him hoped the TD would expedite the construction of a shelter for the bus stop opposite Ching Wan House, Tin Ching Estate. He said some bus drivers had tested the route for special bus service Route B1 to/and Tin Shui Wai North, and found the journey time was excessively long. He suggested introduction of a bus route to go direct from Tin Shui Wai North to the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, not via Yuen Long Town, in order to cope with population growth in Tin Shui Wai North. On the other hand, the shortage of parking spaces became acute as more than 120 people on average at each of many housing estates in Tin Shui Wai North were awaiting allocation of parking spaces. He suggested that an underground car park be built at the Cultural Rehabilitation Resource Centre - which was located at Area 109 of Tin Shui Wai at Tin Yip Road - while the works project was underway. Lastly, he suggested a new bus route be launched to ply between Tin Shui Wai North and Shenzhen Bay Port as there were insufficient numbers of minibuses operating the route.

37. The Hon LUK Chung-hung, JP described the work performance of the TD as “squeezing toothpaste”, saying it would make only a little bit improvements whenever he had reflected the transport needs of local residents. Therefore, he, as a DC Member, did not know how to explain the matter to residents or solve problems for them. In the case of bus route 69C, since residents moved to public housing estates in Tin Shui Wai North, he had repeatedly said to the TD that they had heavy demand for transport services to Kowloon East and Kwun Tong. In response, the TD only introduced one morning trip of bus route 69C, followed by one or two additional trips every year afterwards. Now that the bus route operated more than 10 morning trips and two evening trips, he suggested that a brand new, whole-day bus route plying between Tin Shui Wai North and Kwun Tong be opened to meet the strong passenger demand. He learnt the bus company had no objection to the suggestion. He said that if residents of Tin Shui Wai North did not take buses to Kwun Tong, they would have to take Light Rail and then switch to West Rail and Kwun Tong Line. As multiple interchanges caused inconvenience to the commuters, he requested the TD to improve the situation and enhance services of bus routes where demand was high.

38. Mr TANG Cheuk-yin said he was pleased that the TD was studying the road improvement works of Kam Tin Road, Lam Kam Road and Fan Kam Road. The YLDC had expressed views about upgrading the roads. He hoped the TD would confirm the timetable for the works early. He also said the authorities should build another road in the long run to help relieve the traffic burden along Kam Tin Road, Lam Kam Road and Fan Kam Road. On the other hand, the carrying capacity of West Rail trains was close to full capacity, but the population in the vicinity of Kam Sheung Road Station would increase to 70 000-80 000, with more residential blocks to be completed there. Members of the public found it increasingly difficult to board the train at Kam Sheung Road Station. Methods, such as increasing the number of train carriages and upgrading the signalling systems would not cope with future population growth. Therefore, it was imperative to build a rail line, such as the Northern Link, to better meet increasing passenger demand.

39. Ms CHAN Mei-lin said Tin Shui Wai had a population of about 300 000. She had been reflecting to the TD that it was difficult to get on a bus at the bus stops in Tin Tsz Estate and Tin Yau Court of Tin Shui Wai South, which were the last stops of the district. She pointed out that E34A originally departed from Tin Shui Wai Central, but commuters found it increasingly difficult to get on buses at the last stop in Tin Yau Court after the extension of the bus route to coincide with the completion of public housing estates in Tin Shui Wai North. After she had continually demanded improvements for many years, it was not until last year that the TD deployed one more bus to operate Route E34A. Therefore, she requested the TD to increase the frequencies of bus routes operating via Tin Tsz Estate and Tin Yau Court, especially E34A and 269M. She said that any change to bus

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routes should not affect the service standards of the existing bus routes, but during the alterations of certain bus routes in recent years, the TD extended some of them to cover Tin Shui Wai North at the request of commuters residing there, and removed their bus stops at Tin Tsz Estate. For example, the TD and the bus company last year proposed to remove the bus stop of A37 at Tin Tsz Estate and divert the route via Tin Yiu Road, where there was already a bus stop of E34A. It was although there was only one bus stop at Tin Tsz Estate, which was for Route A37. The TD had also proposed to transfer some of trip frequencies for B1 to open the special service B1 to/from Tin Shui Wai North and remove its bus stop at Tin Tsz Estate. She said she had to speak up for residents of Tin Tsz Estate, and called on the bus company to allocate more resources rather than redeploy resources from other bus routes to meet the needs of commuters of other areas.

40. Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS said the C for T had received quite a number of petition letters in the morning with regard to the myriads of traffic problems in Yuen Long District. The YLDC’s position was that it would refuse to discuss any new development projects before any new proposals on ancillary transport facilities came out. Yuen Long was a densely populated district with large numbers of vehicles on limited road space. Traffic congestion stayed unimproved for more than 10 years. The Government recently proposed to redevelop the former Long Bin Interim Housing Estate into subsidised housing, but failed to propose acceptable options for improving transport networks there. As traffic congestion in the district remained acute, he hoped the TD would put forth plans to improve the situation. He suggested the TD study the possibility of constructing a number of elevated roads to increase road space, while developing coastal rail links between Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan to improve transport infrastructure with a view to coping with further population growth.

41. Mr TANG Ka-leung said he was glad to see that the Government had substantially completed a feasibility study of widening Nim Wan Road and Deep Bay Road. He pointed out that the road was exposed to a risk of flooding with access by vehicles affected at times of heavy rain. Power and water supply to nearby villages was affected during the recent strike of severe typhoon Mangkhut. He hoped the authorities would expedite the implementation of the road widening projects to improve the condition of the roads. On the other hand, there were about 40 wholesale seafood markets and about 30 seafood restaurants in Lau Fau Shan, an area frequented by tourists but with poor access roads. Lau Fau Shan Road was the only vehicular access to the area, but was too narrow for tourist coaches. He suggested expansion of the road.

42. Mr TO Ka-lun said that the problems caused by the project of the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station stemmed from a lack of long-term planning on the part of Government departments. He objected strongly to the project, not only because of its high construction cost, but also because the project served a single function but had exclusionary effects. Instead, he suggested widening of the pavements on both sides of the nullah to provide more floor space for community revitalisation efforts and for the provision of additional commercial, leisure and sports facilities. He was of the view that Light Rail tracks had divided Yuen Long Town into two parts and thus should be moved northward or southward in the long run to improve traffic problems thoroughly.

43. Mr WONG Cheuk-kin pointed out that there were about 200 vacant public parking spaces in Phase 2, Central Park Towers, saying the low usage rate had been due to their exorbitant charges. As the land lease for the developer to construct a public car park contained no clause to cap parking fees, he hoped the authorities would exercise prudence when making any policies and plans in the future. On the other hand, he said the TD had used an inappropriate method to handle special bus

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service Route B1 to/from Tin Shui Wai North. First, the TD provided no documents for Members’ reference prior to the previous meeting on the issue, except inviting a few Members to discuss the issue. Second, the TD gave no reason why the terminus for special bus service Route B1 to/from Tin Shui Wai would not be located at Tin Shui Wai Central. Third, the TD forcibly introduced the route and Members could not object to it. He hoped the C for T would temporarily suspend special bus service Route B1 and consult other DC Members on the matter to produce a plan to the satisfaction of all parties involved. He also said special bus service Route B1 could not really benefit residents of the district, citing that the journey time was 90 minutes, which was unreasonably long, and the bus was already packed when it had reached Yuen Long Town.

44. Mr Zachary WONG said that Yuen Long would become the most populous district in Hong Kong in the next 10 to 15 years, despite its high population density and insufficient transport infrastructure. However, a number of large-scale development projects did not enjoy the support of the YLDC, allegedly because of the insufficient provision of ancillary transport facilities. Traffic and pedestrian congestion had been a problem in Yuen Long Town for many years, harming the safety of vehicles and pedestrians. Mr WONG was elected as the Chairman of the Working Group on Traffic and Pedestrian Congestion in Yuen Long, which was formed under the YLDC of the present term. After three years of discussions, the working group put forward a number of methods and suggestions for alleviating traffic and pedestrian congestion. They included decking of the nullah to create more space for provision of roads and bicycle parking spaces, relocation of Light Rail tracks, development of multi-storey car parks, expansion of footpaths and pedestrian refuges, and provision of new road junctions. However, the TD did not support most of the suggestions, saying some of them could not be implemented in the short term owing to the shortage of manpower and resources. It also cited it would take three years to complete a 20-metre, one-way road near Park Signature. In response, he asked whether the TD had any feasible, effective methods to relieve traffic and pedestrian congestion in Yuen Long Town.

45. Ms Mable CHAN, JP gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) Some Members expressed concern about whether the development of road and railway networks in Yuen Long District, especially the transport infrastructure in Yuen Long South and the HSKNDA, would be able to tie in with population growth in the northwest of the New Territories. The TD fully understood the traffic condition of Yuen Long District in recent years, where population growth and rapid development boosted visitor and vehicle numbers. As the Chief Executive and the Financial Secretary said, the Government would study whether roads and railway projects under planning would be sufficient to support population. While the Government understood that the public hoped transport infrastructure could cope with population growth and housing construction in the future, it had already finished relevant planning even before population development. According to the Powerpoint slides just played during the meeting, the feasibility study of Route 11 commenced in May 2018, and was scheduled to be completed in 2020. The TD was currently expediting relevant preparatory work according to “Hong Kong 2030 Plus”, a blueprint for the development of Hong Kong, while at the same time awaiting funding approval from the FC of the LegCo;

(2) The TD hoped Members would understand that it took time to implement various district improvement projects. While conducting traffic research and analysis, the TD had to cooperate with different Government departments before the works projects could be successfully implemented. One of its important partners was the

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HyD. The TD would urge its staff to implement various works expeditiously while at the same time continuously fighting for manpower resources to relieve its staff from heavy workload, which was conducive to expediting the project implementation process. The TD would also set up a team for road safety performance reviews in order to scrutinise the progress of various works and conduct audits upon completion of the works;

(3) The insufficient provision of car parking spaces was a problem across all the eighteen districts of the city, to which the Government attached great importance. In this regard, the principle of “single site, multiple uses” was proposed in the latest Policy Address, based on which public car parking spaces would be provided at suitable “Government, Institution or Community” facilities and public open space (“POS”) projects, so that land would not be confined to the single use. In order to optimise land use, the TD was actively liaising with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (“LCSD”), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (“FEHD”), the Lands Department (“LandD”) and the Government Property Agency (“GPA”) about the inclusion of public car parking spaces in the drafting plans for certain development projects, including the private development project at Hi Yip Street in Yuen Long, the redevelopment project of Yuen Long Stadium and the redevelopment project of Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground. Moreover, the TD had reached a preliminary consensus with the Housing Authority and the Housing Department on the provision of additional parking spaces for visitors at subsidised housing estates, in an effort to increase the supply of parking spaces. The TD would also review the existing planning standards and guidelines in Hong Kong, and then request provision of certain numbers of parking spaces at private housing estates. As automated car parking systems were already available in places such as Japan and Shenzhen, the TD had preliminarily identified six locations in Hong Kong for a trial run of the system before it was retrofitted at other districts. A briefing for DC transport affairs committees on the matter was tentatively scheduled to commence in early next year;

(4) Regarding public transport issues, the TD had been paying close attention to residents’ relevant demands with low density housing developments emerging in remote and rural areas to cope with the population development of Yuen Long District. The TD understood the public wanted bus companies to provide more convenient bus services, such as increasing bus frequencies and providing more bus stops near their homes. However, franchised bus companies were experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. While considering adjusting bus services, the TD would try its best to balance different aspects, such as meeting passenger demand and effective utilisation of resources. Quite a few Members had just expressed concern about special bus service Route B1 to/from Tin Shui Wai North. Some of them said the arrangements for the special bus service left room for improvement, while some others said the service should be introduced as soon as possible. The TD was aware of the residents’ demand for better bus services to travel to and from the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, and thus would continue to observe passenger demand and conduct reviews after the introduction of the special bus service;

(5) The Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, to be implemented on 1 January 2019, would include residents’ coach services. A webpage had been created for relevant enquiries. In an effort to minimise abuses of the Scheme as far as possible, the TD would take corresponding measures, such as conducting regular transport surveys to collect operational and passenger data about residents’ coach services, verifying transaction records of Octopus system charges, and punctually submitting audit

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reports on the internal control system. 32 routes of residents’ coach services fulfilled the operational requirements imposed by the TD, and had been permitted to join the scheme. The TD recently liaised closely with the residents’ service operators of Kingswood Villas and Fairview Park, and found they were expediting efforts to upgrade their Octopus systems to meet the operational requirements of joining the scheme. The TD would keep communicating with them, and hoped that they would apply to join the scheme early to help ease the burden of public’s travelling expenses. The TD would review the scheme one year after its implementation, in the hope that it could help alleviate the public’s burden of travelling expenses;

(6) A number of private and subsidised housing estates had been completed in Tung Tau Industrial Area in recent years. Other industrial districts, such as Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong, were undergoing similar changes. The TD would conduct forward- looking planning and study the possibility of enhancing public light bus services or introducing franchised bus services if the existing public transport services failed to meet passenger demand;

(7) The TD and HyD had been jointly drawing up the specific arrangements for implementing the project of the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station, which had been discussed by the LegCo Public Works Subcommittee. The arrangements would be prepared taking into account the views of Members and various quarters of the community. The Administration would refer the works project to the FC of the LegCo for consideration in due course, and the TD would truly reflect its views and analysis results to the Administration;

(8) The TD was actively promoting “Smart Mobility”. Last year, the FC of the LegCo approved funding for installation of traffic detectors on most trunk roads to enhance traffic and incident management. The TD also introduced HKeMobility, an all-in- one mobile application integrating TD’s three previous mobile applications, namely HKeTransport, HKeRouting and eTraffic News, in order to facilitate users’ search for public transport as well as driving and walking routes. The application also provided the latest traffic information to boost its use. The Government also subsidised the installation of real-time bus arrival information display panels at bus stops by franchised bus companies, while at the same time actively encouraging the opening- up of operating data by public transport operators;

(9) GMBs served passengers in rural and remote areas as one of the most important modes of public transport in Yuen Long District. In its latest Policy Address, the Government said funding would be provided to develop data collection systems and mobile applications installed on GMBs to enable passengers to get access to real- time arrival information through mobile applications. Relevant briefing sessions had also been held with GMB operators. Therefore, it was believed that many of them would join the scheme. The TD hoped the scheme would bring about convenience to commuters in the areas of Kam Tin Road, Kam Sheung Road, Yuen Long South, Hung Shui Kiu and other remote and rural areas when they could obtain real-time GMB arrival information through the mobile application. On the other hand, GMB operators would continue to increase the number of 19-seat minibuses to increase their seating capacities;

(10) The TD was pleased that some Members expressed views about the Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among the three RHCs. It was also most

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encouraging that quite a few Members had agreed with the policy direction of the scheme and supported a reduction in WHC tolls. Some Members were concerned about the effectiveness of the scheme, but one of the arrangements under the scheme - an equal toll of $40 for CHT and EHC and $50 for WHC - was made based on the results of traffic flow studies, in order that increasing traffic flows inside the WHC would not cause traffic congestion inside the tunnel and on the roads connecting with it, including relevant roads and junctions in Kowloon West and Island West. At present, traffic demands for the CHT and the EHC had already significantly exceeded their respective design capacities by 75% and 38% respectively, whereas those for the WHC were 10% and 14% below its design capacity. This was primarily because WHC tolls could be adjusted within an extent as permitted by relevant laws. The Government’s scheme to rationalise traffic distribution among the three RHCs was designed to reduce the traffic flow of the CHT and the EHC by adjusting the tolls of the city’s three RHCs. While there were views that the proposed toll increase at the CHT was too high, the TD opined that if the toll was not increased adequately or simply not adjusted, it could not help divert vehicles to the WHC or might instead increase the overall cross-harbour traffic, thus failing to effectively re-distribute the traffic among the three RHCs. Also, implementation of the Government’s toll rationalisation scheme would coincide with the opening of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass at the beginning of next year. Then, the residual capacity of the WHC would be utilised to strengthen the traffic network there. According to the agreement entered into between the Government and the WHC operator based on the toll rationalisation scheme, the WHC toll for private cars would be fixed at $50. If the scheme was not implemented, the WHC toll for private cars could be increased annually within a level permitted by relevant laws before expiry of the WHC franchise in 2023, and could reach as much as HK$240. Also, as the franchise for the Tai Lam Tunnel would expire in 2025, the Government hoped that if the toll rationalisation scheme won the consensus of society, it would negotiate with the operator of the Tai Lam Tunnel for an agreement similar to that of the WHC Toll Compensation Scheme after implementation of the toll rationalisation scheme;

(11) Regarding the exemption of tolls for franchised buses using government tunnels and roads, the TD’s next step would be to submit relevant subsidiary legislation to the LegCo. The TD understood that Members and the public hoped bus companies would reduce fares directly and immediately. However, consideration had to be given to their ever-rising operational costs and their needs to invest in the installation of different safety devices to enhance the safety standard of buses. To this end, she suggested franchised bus operators transfer savings on tunnel toll expenditures to a dedicated fund account, with the balance used to offset future fare increases. When a franchised bus operator was applying for a fare increase, it should first use the balance of the fund to offset the fare increase. She cited the KMB as an example, saying it had applied to the Government for a fare increase of 8.5%. If the toll exemption proposal was implemented, passengers would probably bear only 6.3% of the increase. If the WHC road toll for franchised buses was also waived, the actual fare increase would probably be 3.3% lower than originally proposed by the KMB. If a franchised bus operator was financially sound and its fund had snowballed into an excessive size, the Government would require the operator to share the balance of the fund with passengers through methods such as fare reduction; and

(12) The TD would continue to listen to views of the public and enhance communication with Members with a view to improving traffic and transport services in Yuen Long District.

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46. Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH said some Members had just made false accusations against him, and deemed it necessary to make a clarification. He thanked Mr Zachary WONG for mentioning him during his three-minute speech, saying this reflected the work he had done was in line with the opinion of the people. He said Members should speak based on facts and should not talk big, lest the public would think that all DC Members often told lies, thus tarnishing their image. He thanked the Chairman for allowing him to make a clarification.

47. The Chairman reminded Members to focus on the issue when they spoke, and thanked the C for T for her detailed response. He learned that the C for T had to leave the meeting early because of other official commitments but TD’s representatives would stay at the meeting.

48. Mr LEUNG Ming-kin said the first phase of the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station would reach Kau Yuk Road. He suggested the Government extend the project to Ma Tong Road in the next phase to effectively resolve the congestion problem in the district and truly benefit local residents. He hoped the Government would implement the works as soon as practicable and proceed to the next stage. He said many roads in the district were dilapidated, such as Kung Um Road, Kiu Hing Road, Tai Tong Road and Tai Tong Shan Road, and suggested passing bays be provided there.

49. Mr Zachary WONG said the C for T had not directly responded to the question of how to relieve traffic and pedestrian congestion in the district. He hoped the AC for T would answer the question. He said the TD should not avoid the problem, which was increasingly acute as the population in the district would increase by more than 400 000 in the next 10 to 15 years.

50. Mr TANG Cheuk-yin said the C for T had not responded to his questions about the Northern Link. In the development plan for Kam Tin South, the TD widened Kam Ho Road and implemented a four-lane traffic system there. He asked whether the TD would build a flyover to link Kowloon with Tuen Mun to reduce traffic congestion in Kam Tin, which could happen when vehicles travelled via Pok Oi Interchange.

51. Ms CHAN Mei-lin said she believed the TD should cater for the transport needs of residents of Tin Tsz Estate and Tin Yau Court. As most bus routes went via Tin Shui Wai North and Tin Shui Wai Centre before via Tin Shui Wai South, residents in Tin Shui Wai South found it difficult to get on buses at bus stops there, which were the last bus stops of the district. While Transport Officers attending YLDC meetings were sincere in tackling traffic problems in the district, she understood it was the senior management team of the TD who made decisions. She hoped the TD would seek to balance the transport needs of residents of different areas.

52. Mr YIU Kwok-wai said he would like to take this opportunity to thank the Transport Officers Ms Carol TAM and Mr Kelvin LEUNG, as well as Engineer Mr Wilson MAN. As the Chairman of the Working Group on Mass Transit Services, he expressed his appreciation for their efforts, while suggesting the TD offer them more room to tackle traffic problems in the district. The political party to which he belonged had always welcomed the presence of department representatives at meetings to discuss traffic problems in the district. He hoped they could make more community

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visits to discuss relevant issues with local residents. On the other hand, as the C for T had yet to respond to his suggestions on the Northern Link, he hoped the department representatives would convey them to the C for T, which he believed could help address the problems.

53. Mr MAN Kwong-ming enquired with the department on the solutions to the congestion at the Lok Ma Chau – Huanggang Cross-boundary Shuttle Bus Stop. He suggested the vacant land near the shuttle bus stop currently used as a taxi stand could be employed to construct facilities to ease the problem. Also, he would like to have residents’ service coaches or GMBs provided, because residents of housing estates near San Tam Road, such as Maple Gardens, had waited for the services for ten years .

54. Mr MAK Ip-sing said the DC had voted to support the lift retrofitting works at Fung Cheung Road for the elevated pedestrian walkway connecting Yuen Long Station to Yuen Long Town Centre. He appealed to the department to promptly finalise the details and carry out the works.

55. Mr LUI Kin, MH urged the department to expeditiously secure funding from the LegCo for constructing the elevated pedestrian corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station. Although the Hong Kong Institute of Architects criticised that the design proposed by the department was tasteless, he said the department’s professionalism should remain intact so that the works progress and the interests of residents would not be compromised. Regarding the passenger flow of the West Rail Line, he acknowledged that eight-car trains could slightly alleviate the situation now and would seek from the department the conversion of the existing trains to nine-car trains. Lastly, he would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Derek AU and Mr Wilson MAN from the Traffic Engineering (NTW) Division for their dedication to the works projects in the district.

56. Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen said Members considered the large number of development projects in Yuen Long District in future should not be rolled out before the traffic problems in the district had been solved. He enquired whether the department would draw up a comprehensive design plan for the transport infrastructure in the district and report the situation to the DC regularly. He suggested constructing dual carriageways at Tai Tong Road and Kung Um Road to reduce congestion caused by vehicles travelling through the city centre.

57. The Hon LEUNG Che-cheung, SBS, MH, JP said traffic congestion in Yuen Long District was mainly attributable to population increase. He would oppose the development projects in the district unless the department had addressed the issue of inadequate ancillary transport facilities. To cope with over-packed buses and Light Rail trains during working hours, he suggested the department conduct a comprehensive review on the traffic condition in Northwest New Territories and recommend measures to cater for the traffic needs of local residents arising from population surge in the future. Moreover, he hoped the department would consider Members’ proposals on the Northern Link and the increase in the frequency and the number of train cars of West Rail trains. As regards the new railway project with a section linking Tuen Mun and Sunny Bay proposed in the Policy Address, he held that the department should deliver the project and proceed with the works immediately, rather than until the reclamation works had been completed. He finished by quoting the remarks by President XI Jing-ping, who had called on the SAR Government to “have the spirit of taking up challenges and not avoiding difficult tasks”. He hoped the department would tackle the local traffic problems taking such attitude.

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58. Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH said it was reported that Kwoon Chung, a residents’ coach service provider, planned to join the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme following the facility upgrade by 1 April 2019 but as mentioned by the C for T, the upgrade would be completed by 1 May. He enquired with the department the reasons for the delay and hoped that under her leadership, the department could press Kwoon Chung to complete the upgrade before 1 January. In response to the proposal of waiving the tolls of two tunnels to rationalise the traffic distribution among three road harbour crossings (“RHCs”), the C for T said that the bus fare increase by the KMB would drop from 8.5% to 3.3%. He urged the department to relieve the doubt of the public by pledging that the bus company would not increase the bus fares.

59. Mr KWOK Keung, MH said there were two major advantages of constructing the elevated pedestrian corridor. First of all, the corridor connecting the south and the north of Yuen Long Town would give the public quick access between Long Ping Station and Yuen Long Town. Secondly, when the corridor was completed, residents in Tuen Mun and Tin Shui Wai travelling by West Rail could go to Yuen Long Town Centre on foot via the corridor from the station, which would take a shorter time than Light Rail trains. In this way, the ultimate aim, which was to remove Light Rail tracks along Yuen Long Main Road, could be achieved. He did not oppose the proposed rationalisation of traffic distribution among three RHCs, but was concerned about more severe traffic congestion at Long Tin Road and Pok Oi Roundabout because a large number of vehicles would switch to the WHC. Then, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai residents who commuted to the urban areas would be seriously affected. In view of that, the department should overcome the congestion bottlenecks in the area before implementing traffic rationalisation of the three RHCs. He also highly praised Mr Wilson MAN, Engineer of the TD for his dedicated efforts in listening to the views and solving traffic problems in the district.

60. Mr CHOW Wing-kan said the functions of Intelligent Transport Systems (“ITS”) were not limited to providing real-time traffic information and spontaneous traffic signal coordination to address congestions. It also gave data on traffic flow and velocity at various road sections at different time slots. The smart traffic light systems would not only enable more automated traffic management and planning but also pave the way for establishing the minibus and bus service framework. As the service of bus route B1 did not cover the whole Tin Shui Wai, he suggested additional regular bus routes with departures from Tin Shui Estate via Tin Shui Wai North omitting Yuen Long Town to provide full coverage of the district.

61. Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH said because the railway system was shared by approximately 1.2 million people in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, the West Rail trains were usually over-packed during morning peak hours and passengers found it difficult to board the trains. She hoped the department would speedily take measures to alleviate the situation. She also proposed splitting the bus route B1 into two routes serving Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long separately to meet the needs of residents.

62. Mr CHEUNG Muk-lam said the Government had to modify the existing planning standards to make public housing planning more forward-looking. Nowadays, ground-level parking spaces, instead of underground or multi-storey car parks, were provided in many of the housing development projects. Owing to the precious land available, he held that more underground space should be used for development. For the development project in Yuen Long South, he pointed out that traffic was very congested at Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange, Long Tin Road and Shan Ha Road during peak hours. In order to facilitate the development of Yuen Long South, he opined that the department

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should push forward the improvement works at the abovementioned road sections by giving priority to infrastructure.

63. Mr Daniel CHAM, BBS, MH, JP said the Southern Connection linking the Hong Kong- Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port (“Hong Kong Port”) and the Hong Kong International Airport (“HKIA”) at North Lantau had been commissioned, followed by the sub-sea tunnel to Tuen Mun scheduled for completion in 2020. He had previously brought up the commencement date of the Tuen Mun Western Bypass (“TMWB”) to Yuen Long to the agenda. He said the TMWB construction would take seven to eight years. Before its completion, quite a number of vehicles would travel to Hong Kong Port and the airport via Tuen Mun city and the sub-sea tunnel when it commissioned in 2020, leading to traffic congestion between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun. He enquired about the measures the department would take to solve the congestion at bottlenecks between the commissioning of the sub-sea tunnel linking the airport with Tuen Mun and the completion of the TMWB construction.

64. Having noted that the department was considering to relocate one of the two Light Rail tracks to the north, Mr TO Ka-lun enquired whether it had plans to move another track to the south. Considering the development projects in Yuen Long South, he recommended that the Light Rail train service should be planned on circular routes. He also urged the department to examine and implement the above suggestions as soon as possible.

65. Ms Irene HO gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) She thanked Members for their questions and Members’ views were noted. The department would consider and follow up on their views;

(2) The department learnt that Members hoped to accelerate the implementation of the elevated pedestrian corridor connecting with Long Ping Station and their views that the corridor could help alleviate pedestrian congestion in Yuen Long Town. The Government had proceeded with the project and would make a funding application to the FC of the LegCo when appropriate;

(3) The MTR was invited to submit a proposal after the construction of Northern Link had been announced in Railway Development Strategy 2014. The details of MTR’s proposal in 2017 were examined by the THB, HyD and other policy bureaux and departments concerned. The MTR was requested to provide further information to ensure the project was feasible. The Government would give the public an account of the details in due course;

(4) Regarding Route B1 to the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Public Transport Interchange, the department understood Members’ concerns over the route, including the proposed introduction of a new bus route. However, the interchange, with a limited area, would not be able to accommodate additional carriageways or passenger waiting areas for a new regular route. As a result, Route B1 was the only direct route accessing Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point in Hong Kong. Besides, the department found after review that there was room for operating Route B1 during the holidays at the pick-up/drop-off point for cross-boundary school coaches at the interchange. Therefore, the department requested that the KMB operate supplementary service for Route B1 during the holidays to provide residents in Tin

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Shui Wai North with direct access to the boundary crossing. However, the department did not want the regular service of Route B1 to be affected by the supplementary service route. While continuing to improve the route services, the department planned to work out the details of the special departures to Tin Shui Wai North on 30 December 2018;

(5) Regarding the traffic congestion at the bus stop for Lok Ma Chau – Huanggang Cross-boundary Shuttle Bus at Lok Ma Chau as reflected by Members, the department understood that coaches picking up and dropping off passengers at the location had clogged the traffic during a morning timeslot. The department had contacted the Lok Ma Chau Division to assist in crowd control. The department would consider and examine Members’ suggestion of alleviating the congestion by utilising the vacant land nearby. It would also enhance the existing pick-up/drop- off arrangements for coaches;

(6) Concerning the toll waivers at two tunnels under the proposed rationalisation of traffic distribution among three RHCs, the data on fare increase for KMB services provided by the department was an outcome of precise calculation. The department pointed out that the proposal which had gained wide support from Members, together with the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, would improve the overall traffic condition in Hong Kong; and

(7) Since Members suggested a comprehensive transportation plan for the district, the department would extensively review and plan the ancillary transport facilities in the new development area and report the progress to the YLDC timely.

66. The Chairman said that motions by Members would now be dealt with. Mr LEE Yuet- man moved three motions on Route B1, among which two were related to the routing. Since Motion 6 was to request that Route B1 serve Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North while Motion 7 was to request that the bus route cover Tin Shui Wai Central, Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North omitting Yuen Long Town, it would be difficult for the department to grasp Members’ views on Route B1 if both motions were passed at the same time. Therefore, the Chairman invited Mr LEE Yuet-man to go into the details of the two motions.

67. Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH said that the three motions he proposed were entirely based on those moved by Members at the meeting of the Working Group on Bus Services (“WGBS”). He thanked the Chairman for having accepted to discuss the motions and put them to vote at this meeting. While Motion 7 served to refine Motion 6, passing the former would be equivalent to approving the latter. He would accept whatever decision the Chairman had made on dealing with the motions.

68. The Chairman said he would clarify the procedure for dealing with the motions. Meanwhile, Members were invited to speak on the procedure.

69. Mr MAK Ip-sing said at the WGBS meeting in November this year, Members discussed the department’s proposal on the service of Route B1 and agreed that the KMB allocate more resources to run special trips of this route, which was similar to what was proposed in Motion 6. The matter was being followed up.

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70. Mr Zachary WONG said Motion 6 was a request that Route B1 run through Tin Shui Wai, but Motion 7 was a request for a route omitting Yuen Long Town. Passing both motions would make it difficult for the department to get the full picture of the views that Members held towards Route B1. Moreover, the three motions failed to address the problem of inadequate service on the existing route. Hence, he suggested that Members move a motion to propose a split of Route B1 into two routes to/from Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long Town respectively.

71. Mr KWOK Keung, MH proposed that Mr LEE Yuet-man have the three motions combined. Special departures of Route B1 from Tin Yan Estate would not benefit residents of Tin Shui Estate and Tin Wah Estate. Therefore, he suggested a sub-route of Route B1 from Tin Shui Estate to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point via Tin Shui Wai North, omitting Yuen Long Town.

72. The Chairman suggested Members having any views on the handling of the wordings of motions in relation to Route B1 should move amendments to them or propose any other motions before the voting procedures started. He had asked Mr LEE Yuet-man about his opinions on the procedures of handling the motions, which Members should now focus on, because those who had further views on Route B1 should have already spoken in the previous discussion.

73. Mr MAN Kwong-ming suggested that Route B1 should run through San Tin Heung.

74. The Chairman said Mr MAN Kwong-man had spoken on the routing of B1. He would only agree that Members express their opinions on the procedures of handling motions. They would also be allowed to move amendments to the motions should they have any views on the wordings.

75. Ms WONG Wai-ling supported the Chairman’s decision on giving consent to Members to discuss the three motions at the meeting. She considered it extremely fair to let Members of the areas covered by Route B1 participate in the discussion. She expressed her discontent to the C for T who had indicated that follow-up action would be taken on the decision made at the WGBS meeting in November, and she would therefore support the two motions.

76. Ms CHIU Sau-hang, MH said the discussion on motions in relation to Route B1 should have been made at the WGBS meeting in November. However, the motions were not put to vote due to the decision of the Working Group Chairman. She supported that the three motions be discussed at this meeting, and the proposed routing of B1 via Tin Shui Wai Central and North.

77. Mr YIU Kwok-wai supported the proposed enhancements on bus services. He considered that Motions 6 and 7 were contradictory. While the former was a proposal on Route B1 to cover Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North, the latter was a further proposal on the routing of B1 to cover Tin Shui Wai Central omitting Yuen Long Town. He enquired if Members would proceed to vote on Motion 7 after Motion 6 was passed. Regarding the discussion paper for the meeting, Members raised their discontent to the Working Group Chairman on his way of handling the motions in the preamble, but the subsequent motion was to condemn the TD and KMB, followed by a routing proposal. While he understood that the motions were proposed on the basis of those from Members of the WGBS, he suggested that the proponents amend the motions due to the

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confusing wordings.

78. Mr MAN Kwong-ming said he suggested that Route B1 run via Mai Po Lung Road at the WGBS meeting. As the motions raised at present did not cover what had been discussed at that meeting, he considered that it was a procedural issue.

79. The Chairman suggested Members having any views on the procedures of handling motions move an amendment motion or another motion.

80. Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH said the motions, which were relevant to transport issues, should be addressed at the WGBS meeting. He opined that it was unfair to other Members when they were discussed at this meeting.

81. Mr CHOW Wing-kan said that providing more bus routes would cater for the requests raised in the three motions. He also suggested that the routes concerned be open to operation by private operators.

82. The Chairman suggested that Members having further views move an amendment motion or another motion.

83. Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH said the three motions raised today were replicates of those proposed at the WGBS meeting. He asked Members to neither overspeculate nor distort the facts. He said while “omitting Yuen Long Town” was not mentioned in the motion, it did not represent his support to Route B1 to run via Yuen Long Town. He would support any decision made by the Chairman on the handling of motions.

84. Mr Zachary WONG said other Members except Mr YIU Kwok-wai had not touched on the procedural issue. He also quoted Mr LEE Yuet-man as saying that while “omitting Yuen Long Town” was not mentioned in the motion, it did not represent a support to Route B1 to run via Yuen Long Town. To his understanding, Members requested an increase in the frequency of the existing route travelling via Yuen Long Town.

85. The Chairman said the department concerned would take follow-up action on what was proposed in a motion. The proponent had to bear the consequences if the department could hardly follow up on the motion as a result of unclear wording. It was a usual practice that traffic issues would be handled by the T&TC and its working groups. Since Members had raised enquiries and motions related to traffic issues at the meeting in the presence of the C for T, the Chairman decided to combine the discussion, which the DC had previously done so. In his opinion, Motion 7 was a refined version of Motion 6 and the passage of both motions would cause confusion to the department. He proposed to put Motion 7 to vote and, if the motion was passed, the proponent might need to consider withdrawing Motion 6. He also suggested that Members handle Motion 8 on the location of bus terminus separately, and sought views from Mr LEE Yuet-man.

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86. Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH supported the Chairman’s decision. If Motion 7 was approved, he would withdraw Motion 6.

87. Ms Irene HO said the supplementary route of B1 proposed by the department was an extension of the main route instead of introducing a new route. What Mr LEE Yuet-man had proposed was to run a route via a number of locations to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, which was a new route from the department’s point of view. Under the current practice, the department would invite open bidding from private operators on the new route heading for the Control Point. Before the arrangement was put in place, the department had to take into account the factors such as the need for operating the route, timing and space availability. The department hoped Members understand that the proposed service was introduced for the convenience of Tin Shui Wai residents, but to avoid an excessively long running time, not all areas in Tin Shui Wai would be covered. Therefore, the department invited Members to make rational consideration by striking a balance among all factors.

88. The Chairman said Members were deemed to be clear about the policy principles. He announced that Members would now vote on Motion 7, which was as follows:

“This Council strongly condemns the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and urges that special bus service Route B1 running among Tin Shui Wai Central, Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North (not via Yuen Long Town) be provided by allocating additional buses.”

89. Members voted on the Motion by a show of hands and open ballot. Ms CHIU Sau-hang, MH, Mr CHOW Wing-kan, Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH, the Hon LEUNG Chi-cheung, SBS, MH, JP, Mr LUI Kin, MH, Ms MA Shuk-yin and Ms WONG Wai-ling voted for the motion. The Hon KWONG Chun-yu, Mr MAK Ip-sing, Mr TANG Cheuk-yin, Mr TANG Ka-leung, Mr TO Ka-lun, Mr Zachary WONG and Mr YOUNG Ka-on were against it. Mr CHING Chan-ming, Ms LAU Kwai-yung, Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen, Mr LEUNG Ming-kin, Mr MAN Kwong-ming, Mr TANG Cheuk-him, Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS, Mr Ronnie TANG and Mr YIU Kwok-wai abstained from voting.

90. The Chairman said the motion was passed with 7 votes in favour, 7 votes in opposition and 9 abstentions. While the votes for and against the motion were the same, he would not give a casting vote. He announced that the motion was not passed, and invited Members to vote on Motion 6.

91. Mr TANG Ka-leung enquired about the impact on the TD if the motion condemning the department was passed.

92. The Chairman said he believed that the department would continue to review and enhance its policies.

93. Mr MAK Ip-sing supplemented that having initiated some proposals on Route B1, the department intended to accelerate, and had taken follow-up action on, the provision of special trips

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of the route in December. If Motion 6 was passed and the TD was condemned, he was concerned that the work undertaken by the department would be affected. Considering that Tin Shui Wai North residents had been expecting special trips of Route B1, he suggested the department work on this arrangement, followed by gradual service enhancements.

94. The Chairman said the motion would not be further discussed due to the fact that Members had been given sufficient time to speak on the procedures of handling motions. He announced that Members would now vote on Motion 6, which was as follows:

“This Council strongly condemns the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and urges that special bus service Route B1 plying Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North be provided by allocating additional buses.”

95. Members voted on the Motion by a show of hands and open ballot. Ms CHIU Sau-hang, MH, Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH, the Hon LEUNG Chi-cheung, SBS, MH, JP, Mr LUI Kin, MH, Ms MA Shuk-yin and Ms WONG Wai-ling voted for the motion. Mr CHOW Wing-kan voted against it. Mr CHING Chan-ming, Ms LAU Kwai-yung, Mr LEUNG Ming-kin, Mr TANG Cheuk-him, Mr TANG Cheuk-yin, Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS, Mr TANG Ka-leung, Mr Ronnie TANG, Mr YIU Kwok-wai and Mr YOUNG Ka-on abstained from voting.

96. The Chairman declared that the motion was passed by an absolute majority, with 6 votes in favour, 1 vote in opposition and 10 abstentions.

97. The Chairman said that Members would now vote on Motion 8, which was as follows:

“This Council urges relocating the bus terminus of Route B1 to Tin Yuet Estate to benefit more residents in Tin Shui Wai North and Kingswood North.”

98. Members voted on the Motion by a show of hands and open ballot. Ms CHIU Sau-hang, MH, Ms LAU Kwai-yung, Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH, the Hon LEUNG Chi-cheung, SBS, MH, JP, Mr TANG Cheuk-him, Ms WONG Wai-ling and Mr YIU Kwok-wai voted for the motion. Ms CHAN Mei-lin, Mr CHING Chan-ming, the Hon KWONG Chun-yu, Mr LEUNG Ming-kin, Mr MAK Ip- sing, Mr TANG Cheuk-yin, Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS, Mr TANG Ka-leung, Mr Ronnie TANG, Mr TO Ka-lun, Mr Zachary WONG and Mr YOUNG Ka-on voted against it. Mr CHOW Wing-kan abstained from voting.

99. The Chairman announced that the motion was rejected by a majority of votes, with 7 votes in favour, 12 votes in opposition and 1 abstention.

100. The Chairman summed up that the detailed discussion of this item reflected that Members were highly concerned about traffic issues in the district and throughout the territory. Before traffic problems were resolved, Members could hardly support the planned development in the district. At this meeting, Members raised a number of district-wide traffic problems such as train route planning programme, as well as some traffic problems in their electoral constituencies. The department was obliged to address every traffic issue, regardless of nature. Regarding the traffic rationalisation

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among the three RHCs, most Members supported the proposal, in particular, adjusting the toll of WHC down to $50. On the other hand, Members were worried that the greater number of vehicles being diverted to the New Territories West would lead to traffic saturation in the region. Should the proposal be approved, Members would like the department to launch suitable measures to ensure smooth traffic flow in the New Territories West. They also hoped that the Government could discuss with the operator of Tai Lam Tunnel on the possibility of downward adjustment of the toll. He would like to take the opportunity to remind chairpersons of all committees and working groups that the powers conferred upon the chairpersons by the Standing Orders were not absolute. The chairpersons had to ascertain that these powers were exercised in a consistent manner. Otherwise, Members would not be able to grasp the standards of the Standing Orders. He thanked the TD representatives again for attending the meeting and suggested that the department follow up closely on Members’ views.

(Post-meeting note: On 20 December 2018, the Secretariat wrote to the TD about the motions passed by Members. Powerpoint presentation slides on the briefing and detailed reply from the TD on “concern over the effectiveness of rationalising traffic distribution among the three road harbour crossings to alleviate traffic congestion in Hong Kong” were circulated to Members on 21 December 2018 and 13 February 2019 respectively.)

Members’ oral declarations (i) Oral declaration by Mr MAK Ip-sing 101. The Chairman asked Mr MAK Ip-sing to make an oral declaration for not more than two minutes.

102. Mr MAK Ip-sing made an oral declaration as follows:

“I express deep regret that the Hon CHU Hoi-dick was disqualified as a candidate for the Village Representative Election for Yuen Kong Tsuen in Pat Heung, Yuen Long by the Yuen Long District Officer during his term as the Returning Officer (“RO”). Despite that the RO was authorised by the Special Administrative Region Government to disqualify the candidacy of Mr CHU who was eligible to vote and run in an election under the law, the ban on unfounded grounds by means of administrative power was tantamount to depriving Mr CHU of his political rights, which was a contravention of the right to run in and stand for elections under the Basic Law and international covenants on human rights. In the Mainland since the Gang of Four, in contrast, the party concerned was deprived of the political right by the so-called court ruling instead of an order granted by administrative officials.

By suspending Mr CHU’s right to stand for elections, the SAR Government has disconnected Hong Kong with the international reality by downgrading it from a society upholding the rule of law to one governed by the rule of man. I condemn and deeply regret the move by the SAR Government.”

(ii) Oral declaration by Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH 103. The Chairman asked Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH for making an oral declaration for not more than two minutes.

104. Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH made an oral declaration as follows:

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“I fully agree with and support the RO’s decision, which was made completely according to the law and supported by vivid grounds, that the nomination of Mr CHU Hoi-dick as a candidate in the rural election was invalid. At present, an organisation advocating reforms in villages to make them green has upset the local social order of clan-societies in rural areas where traditional practices and customs prevail and hence, conflicts among the city dwellers and villagers are triggered. Their campaign is seriously contrary to the target of achieving city and village integration of Heung Yee Kuk, which fully supported the development of satellite cities in the New Territories in the 1960’s and 70’s. It is believed that all villagers throughout the New Territories will render full support to the RO’s decision to invalidate the nomination of Mr CHU to stand for the rural election. Thank you.”

(iii) Oral declaration by Mr TO Ka-lun 105. The Chairman asked Mr TO Ka-lun to make an oral declaration for not more than two minutes.

106. Mr TO Ka-lun made an oral declaration as follows:

“Thank you Chairman. Below is my letter dated 29 November to Mr Enoch YUEN, RO of Yuen Kong San Tsuen. I express deep regret that not a single word of reply has returned to me yet. The title of my letter is ‘Excessive vetting of the eligibility of a candidate for the Village Representative Election’.

Mr YUEN, I strongly resent your recent excessive vetting of the eligibility of Mr CHU Hoi-dick who registered to run in the Village Representative Election for Yuen Kong San Tsuen. The questions you posed were out of the scope of eligibility assessment. They not only went beyond the assessment parameters, but also turned into a thought and political censorship, which clashed with the nature of the Village Representative Election. Some of the questions were escalated to a level that had nothing to do with village affairs. People’s rights to run in and stand for elections protected by the Basic Law and Hong Kong Bill of Rights were grossly contravened, and their right to vote was deprived of.

I hereby strongly condemn Mr YUEN and the policy bureau you represent for blatantly interfering with the Village Representative Election. I hereby request that Mr CHU be granted the basic right to run in the Yuen Kong San Tsuen Village Representative Election. Otherwise, the spirit of the rule of law will be past and gone.

Chairman, we witness how Hong Kong as an Oriental pearl has turned into the Animal Farm, and the real-life version of 1984. The dictatorial and totalitarian rule will have thrown Hong Kong into a catastrophic Brave New World. These are my remarks.”

(iv) Oral declaration by Mr LUI Kin, MH 107. The Chairman asked Mr LUI Kin, MH to make an oral declaration for not more than two minutes.

108. Mr LUI Kin, MH made an oral declaration as follows:

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“Declaration on support for the Government’s decision on invalidating the nomination of CHU Hoi-dick

On 2 December, the Government announced its decision that the nomination of CHU Hoi- dick for the Village Representative Election for Yuen Kong San Tsuen in Pat Heung, Yuen Long was invalid, on the ground that he did not comply with section 24 of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance.

We support the RO’s decision and consider it helps safeguard the dignity of the Basic Law, and ensure that the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” is fully implemented to best take care of the long-term overall interest of Hong Kong.

In fact, CHU Hoi-dick has been widely known for his stance in favour of “independence of Hong Kong” and “self-determination”. The joint declaration signed by him, LAU Siu-lai and others of “Safeguarding people’s sovereignty, human rights and self- determination as an option for our future” clearly reflects that he will uphold “independence of Hong Kong” as an option for Hong Kong people to determine their own future.

We resolutely oppose the advocacy of “independence of Hong Kong”. In this connection, we reiterate that any action to promote “independence of Hong Kong” or include independence as an option for “self-determination” is inconsistent with the constitutional and legal status of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as stipulated in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law, as well as the PRC’s established basic principles and policies regarding Hong Kong. Hence, the RO’s decision made based on objective facts not only was totally accurate but also would ensure the election could be held in accordance with the Basic Law and other applicable electoral laws. We support the decision made by the RO Mr Enoch YUEN under the law.

Declarants: LUI Kin, LEUNG Che-cheung, LEE Yuet-man, CHIU Sau-han, CHEUNG Muk-lam, KWOK Keung, SIU Long-ming, WONG Wai-ling and MA Shuk-yin

(v) Oral declaration by Mr Zachary WONG 109. The Chairman asked Mr Zachary WONG to make an oral declaration for not more than two minutes.

110. Mr Zachary WONG made an oral declaration as follows:

“Chairman, the Secretary for Justice (“S for J”), Ms Teresa CHENG, visited the Yuen Long District Council less than a month ago. I particularly reminded S for J that Hong Kong people were paying attention to her work. I hoped that she would let the public have expectations. That said, the public was totally disappointed when the goal posts were moved in two occasions. The first occasion was the decision to invalidate CHU Hoi-dick’s candidacy. While the decision was reported to be made by the RO, he should have sought legal advice from the S for J on disqualifying CHU from running in the election. In fact, the final decision was made by the S for J. In the past, it would do if we chose not to support “independence of Hong Kong”. Now it turns out that we are obliged to oppose it. I wonder at what time the S for J and RO have become “thought police”. It has reminded me of a line in George Orwell’s 1984: “The Big Brother is

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watching you”. The second occasion was the release of “689”. Failing to make a declaration of interests, Donald TSANG was sentenced to a 20-month imprisonment. On the other hand, “689” not having declared on his acceptance of $50 million consequently faced no consequences. What sort of a world is this? In his Policy Address in 1997, ex-Governor Mr Chris PATTEN said, “My anxiety is this: not that this community’s autonomy would be usurped by Peking, but that it could be given away bit by bit by some people in Hong Kong.” How come Hong Kong has fallen into this situation just 20 years after its return to the Motherland?”

(vi) Oral declaration by Mr YIU Kwok-wai 111. The Chairman asked Mr YIU Kwok-wai to make an oral declaration for not more than two minutes.

112. Mr YIU Kwok-wai made an oral declaration as follows:

“Declaration: Support of the decision made by the RO on the Village Representative Election under the law

On the evening of 2 December, the RO decided that the candidacy of CHU Hoi-dick in this year’s Rural Ordinary Election for Yuen Kong San Tsuen was invalid. We consider that the RO has the responsibility to safeguard the Basic Law and legitimacy of the election, and we supported his lawful enforcement action. The RO requested CHU Hoi- dick to respond to some questions, including whether he supported Hong Kong’s independence. However, CHU attempted to divert the attention in his response, stating that the RO “had no authority” to raise questions “irrelevant to ensure the validity of nomination” and twisted the meaning by saying that the RO’s questions were raised on false assumptions. CHU’s candidature showed that he aimed at plunging the election into chaos. CHU advocates the idea of self-determination and is a member of the self- determination camp. We believe that self-determination infringing on the spirit of “One country” under the “One country, two systems” principle should not be tolerated. We support the RO’s decision made according to the law. Declared by YIU Kwok-wai, LUK Chung-hung, LAU Kwai-yung and TANG Cheuk-him, District Councillors of DAB on 18 December 2018.”

Item IX: The 25th Yuen Long Arts Festival (YLDC Paper No. 106/2018) 113. The Chairman asked Members to take note of Paper No. 106, which was an invitation extended by Yuen Long Town Hall and Yuen Long District Arts Committee to the YLDC and Yuen Long District Office (“YLDO”) for jointly organising the 25th Yuen Long Arts Festival from August to early September in 2019. It also suggested appointing the Chairman as the temporary convenor and 10 Members to serve on the Yuen Long Arts Festival Organising Committee (“Arts Festival Organising Committee”) to take part in the preparation work. If Members agreed to the proposal of jointly organising the activity, the overall budget and individual expenditure items of the event would be submitted to the Culture, Recreation, Community Service and Housing Committee (“CRCS&HC”) and Finance Committee (“FC”) for approval in due course.

114. The Chairman asked Members to endorse the proposal that the event be jointly organised and his appointment as the temporary convenor.

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115. With no objection to the proposal of jointly organising the event and the Chairman’s appointment as the temporary convenor, Members endorsed the above arrangements.

116. The Chairman asked Members to raise their hands to indicate their interest in joining the Arts Festival Organising Committee.

117. Members endorsed appointing Mr Daniel CHAM, BBS, MH, JP, Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH, Mr CHOW Wing-kan, Mr KWOK Keung, MH, Ms LAU Kwai-yung, Mr LEUNG Ming-kin, Ms MA Shuk-yin, Mr MAK Ip-sing, Mr SIU Long-ming, MH, Mr TO Ka-lun, Ms WONG Wai-ling, Mr Zachary WONG and Mr YIU Kwok-wai to join the Arts Festival Organising Committee on behalf of the YLDC.

118. Mr Zachary WONG said Members should consider their attendance at the previous meetings before joining the Arts Festival Organising Committee. If their attendance rate at past- term meetings was lower than 50%, they should not serve on the Arts Festival Organising Committee again.

119. The Chairman said according to the Secretary, the Arts Festival Organising Committee did not have a record of Members’ attendance at meetings in the past term, so no relevant information could be provided at the moment. As it was a matter of governance, he said Mr Zachary WONG could put forward the above suggestion to the Chairman of the Arts Festival Organising Committee after joining.

120. Mr Zachary WONG said he had given the suggestion at a meeting of the past-term Arts Festival Organising Committee. At that time, in response to a Member’s enquiry on whether attendance rate of all Members was required, he replied that the YLDC only needed to refer to the attendance rate of its representatives. Therefore, information should be made available for reference. Also, he suggested that the organising committees of Arts Festival, Sports Festival and Youth Festival review their work flows, such as inviting open tenders for certain projects, requiring interest declarations by all members of working groups under the organising committees, recording members’ attendance at meetings, and providing review reports to the next-term organising committees for reference.

121. The Chairman noted Members’ views and asked the Secretariat to relay them to the organising committees for reference.

122. Mr Bill KONG thanked Members for their views. The Secretariat relayed them to local organisations responsible for forming organising committees in October 2018.

Item X: Yuen Long Youth Festival 2019 (YLDC Paper No. 97/2018) 123. The Chairman asked Members to take note of Paper No. 97, which was an invitation

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extended by Yuen Long Town Hall Management Committee Limited to the YLDC, YLDO and Yuen Long District Youth Programme Committee for jointly organising the Yuen Long Youth Festival 2019 from May to July in 2019. It also suggested appointing the Chairman as the temporary convenor and 11 Members to serve on the Yuen Long Youth Festival Organising Committee (“Youth Festival Organising Committee”) to take part in the preparation work. If Members agreed to the proposal of jointly organising the activity, the overall budget and individual expenditure items of the event would be submitted to the Finance Committee (“FC”) for approval in due course.

124. The Chairman asked Members to endorse the proposal that the event be jointly organised and his appointment as the temporary convenor.

125. With no objection to the proposal of jointly organising the event and the Chairman’s appointment as the temporary convenor, Members endorsed the above arrangements.

126. The Chairman asked Members to raise their hands to indicate their interest in joining the Organising Committee.

127. Members endorsed appointing Mr CHOW Wing-kan, Mr LEUNG Ming-kin, Ms MA Shuk-yin, Mr TANG Cheuk-him, Mr TO Ka-lun, Ms WONG Wai-ling, Mr Zachary WONG and Mr YIU Kwok-wai to join the Youth Festival Organising Committee on behalf of the YLDC.

Item XI: Report on work progress of District-led Actions Scheme 128. The Chairman invited Mr YUEN Ka-lok, Enoch, JP, District Officer (Yuen Long) and Mr NG Lak-sun, Nixon, Assistant District Officer (Yuen Long)1 to report the latest progress of the District-led Actions Scheme (“DAS”).

129. Mr Enoch YUEN, JP said the YLDO had hung a large number of banners in relation to DAS in the district to raise public awareness of Yuen Long District and their sense of belonging. Meanwhile, they were encouraged to cooperate under the scheme to keep the district clean.

130. Mr Nixon NG gave a brief on the work progress of DAS.

131. Mr Enoch YUEN, JP said the YLDO had consulted the District Management Committee (“DMC”) when producing banners and slogans. He took the opportunity to thank the DMC Members, especially representatives of non-government organisations, for their views.

132. Mr TO Ka-lun said at present, the YLDO spent public money on handling bicycles abandoned by bicycle-sharing operators who had ceased their business. As the Court had granted Lung Kee Bicycle Shop the permission to purchase those bicycles, he enquired whether the YLDO would contact the company, given that public money and manpower to handle the bicycles could be saved if the company would deal with the bicycles.

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133. Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS said he had heard about the cessation of business of the bicycle- sharing operator. However, many bicycles left by the operator were still placed randomly in the district, affecting the image of the city and obstructing the streets. In view of that, he enquired how the department would handle the bicycles.

134. Mr Zachary WONG said some shops being issued a notice of illegal extension in the district were reluctant to remove their unauthorised structures, which in turn had to be removed through departmental enforcement actions. As public money was used to remove the unauthorised structures, he enquired whether the department would charge the concerned shops after taking enforcement actions. He held that the department had to charge the shop owners or they would not remove the unauthorised structures themselves but leave them to the Government.

135. Mr MAK Ip-sing hoped the department would follow up on serious illegal bicycle parking near the footbridge connecting Yuen Long East and Sun Yuen Long Centre.

136. Mr LEUNG Ming-kin suggested that the YLDO consider including tree pruning in the grass cutting work under DAS.

137. Mr Nixon NG gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The department would invoke the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28) to handle illegally parked bicycles, regardless of whether they were “shared bicycles”. The operation of individual service providers was under the purview of the Transport Department (“TD”);

(2) As regards Mr Zachary WONG’s enquiry about the removal of unauthorised structures, the District Lands Office (Yuen Long) (“DLO”) would post a notice requiring relevant shops to remove unauthorised structures themselves. The department would not commission contractors to remove such structures. He invited the District Lands Officer/Yuen Long to provide additional information;

(3) Tree pruning which had to be carried out by professionals was not under DAS; and

(4) The YLDO noted Members’ views. They were welcomed to inform the YLDO of the black spots of illegal bicycle parking for follow-ups.

138. Mr Zachary WONG enquired how the department would cope with the situation if shops did not remove the unauthorised structures themselves.

139. Mr Nixon NG said in case shops did not remove unauthorised structures themselves after the issue of notices, the DLO would take further enforcement actions. He invited the District Lands Officer/Yuen Long to supplement information.

140. Ms Angela CHAN said according to the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28), the DLO would post a notice requiring the shops to remove unauthorised structures on the

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Government land within a specified period. It would be an offence if the shops did not do so. In this situation, the DLO would consider taking further land control actions, including arranging contractors to remove the concerned structures. Furthermore, upon sufficient evidence, the DLO would consider prosecution against the occupant after seeking legal advice. Once the occupant was convicted, the DLO could recover the cost incurred by the removal under the Ordinance.

141. Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS enquired whether the YLDO would retrieve the shared bicycles to keep the district clean and prevent nuisance as the bike-sharing operator had completely ceased business.

142. Mr Nixon NG said the department would invoke the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28) to handle illegally parked bicycles, regardless of whether they were in public use. However, there were restrictions in the Ordinance.

143. Mr Enoch YUEN, JP said clearance actions under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28) would be taken should the bicycles be illegally parked after the notices, regardless of whether they were shared bicycles. However, it would be difficult for the department to take enforcement actions if the illegally parked bicycles were moved to another location after the notice was posted.

144. Mr TO Ka-lun enquired whether the department would contact Lung Kee Bicycle Shop to coordinate and handle the bicycles left by the bicycle-sharing operator that had ceased business.

145. Mr Enoch YUEN, JP said the TD was responsible for the operation of individual bicycle- sharing service providers. The YLDO would liaise with the TD and discuss how the bicycles would be handled.

146. Mr Daniel CHAM, BBS, MH, JP said he had raised the issue of illegal shop extension by Like Fresh in Kingswood Richly Plaza at a DMC meeting. He had also reflected to the FEHD that the wash water from cleansing the shop at night had fouled the street. Although the DLO had issued a notice, the platform would not be regarded as unauthorised if it was slightly elevated or moved during its inspection. As a result, enforcement action was not taken out. If other shops followed suit, it would be difficult for the department to enforce the law. In view of this, he hoped the DLO would seek legal advice on whether the situation was illegal and warranted prosecution.

147. Ms Angela CHAN thanked Mr Daniel CHAM for his views. Having listened to Members’ views at the DMC meeting, the DLO promised to reply to Members’ concerns at the DMC meeting after legal consultation.

Item XII: Progress reports of Committees (i) Yuen Long District Management Committee (YLDC Paper No.98/2018) (ii) District Facilities Management Committee (YLDC Paper No. 99/2018) (iii) Culture, Recreation, Community Service and Housing Committee (YLDC Paper No. 100/2018)

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(iv) Environmental Improvement Committee (YLDC Paper No. 101/2018) (v) Finance Committee (YLDC Paper No. 102/2018) (vi) Town Planning and Development Committee (YLDC Paper No. 103/2018) (vii) Traffic and Transport Committee (YLDC Paper No. 104/2018) 148. The Chairman referred Members to the progress reports of the Committees contained in Paper Nos. 98 to 104.

149. Mr MAN Kwong-ming said that, with regard to the provision of environmentally-friendly water dispensers on cycle tracks as mentioned in the progress report of the T&TC, he noted from post-meeting remarks that the YLDO had reflected Members’ views in writing to the Civil Engineering and Development Department (“CEDD”) and urged the department to continue to actively handle enquiries from Members. At a LegCo meeting this year, the Secretary for the Environment proposed provision of environmentally friendly water dispensers alongside cycle tracks in support of environmental protection. Mr MAN said he had also proposed installation of environmentally friendly water dispensers alongside the cycle track between Tuen Mun and Sheung Shui, but no departments had undertaken to maintain and repair the devices. He believed the CEDD was only responsible for construction, while the LCSD and other relevant departments were responsible for repair and maintenance.

150. Mr Zachary WONG said that, in the seventh paragraph of the progress report of the FC, a community organisation applied to the YLDC for funds when Link Asset Management Limited (“Link”) loaned a venue for free and requested its logo be placed on publicity materials pertaining to the event. The Secretariat considered the free loan of the venue by Link might also cause revision in the event budget and thus submitted the matter for approval by the CRCS&HC and the FC. He held approval should be granted as the free loan of the venue did not incur additional expenditure or constitute a breach of the YLDC’s Manual on the Use of District Council Funds (“the Manual”). On the other hand, two-thirds of Members endorsed the amendment through the circulation of CRCS&HC paper, while the FC rejected it with four votes in favour and six votes against. Some Members voted against the amendment during the FC meeting but expressed support through circulation of CRCS&HC paper, making it hard for the organisation to follow. Since the Manual could be used as a reference, he suggested authorising the Secretariat to decide whether an amendment should be submitted to relevant committees for approval if it did not incur additional expenditure or constitute a breach of the Manual.

151. The Chairman requested Vice-Chairman of T&TC, Mr MAK Ip-sing, to respond to Members’ enquiries about the progress report of the Committee.

152. Mr MAK Ip-sing said Members passed a motion at the meeting of expressing their views in writing to the HyD and the TD, but the departments did not seem to have started following up on the issue. Therefore, he hoped the CEDD and the LCSD would continue to follow up on progress, which might be affected after no departments had undertaken maintenance work.

153. Mr LAM Chi-keung said the CEDD would discuss with the HyD, LCSD and YLDO to find out which department should be responsible for the maintenance of water dispensers to be installed on cycle tracks. The CEDD would install the devices upon completion of works after relevant department had agreed to take on the responsibility.

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154. Ms Wendy LUNG said the LCSD was primarily responsible for maintenance of landscaping works at roadside amenity areas, whereas management and maintenance of devices of other categories, including the proposed water dispensers, fell outside the purview of the department.

155. Mr Nixon NG said the YLDO had taken note of Members’ views and would continue to liaise and cooperate with relevant departments.

156. The Chairman invited the Chairperson of the FC, Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH, to respond to Members’ views on the progress report of the Committee.

157. Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH said Members had discussed the matter at a FC meeting and voted by way of a poll after reading the Manual and the information provided by the Secretariat. She was aware that there was room for improvement of the Manual, and hoped Members would give comments at FC meetings in future as to how the Manual could be amended.

158. Mr Bill KONG said the Secretariat had taken note of Members’ views. The Secretariat would seek to improve the Manual as FC’s Chairman said, and according to Members’ comments.

159. Mr YIU Kwok-wai said Members had also discussed relevant issues at the FC meeting and made decisions by vote because of their divergent views. The organisation had plans to hire a venue from Link for organising the event while applying for funds, but Link requested its logo be placed in publicity materials pertaining to the event after the change of its date. He hoped the organisation could understand and learn from the experience as the decisions of the FC might affect the event. In future, if there was a need to change anything about an event, the organisation should make no further arrangements until after YLDC’s approval was obtained. Moreover, since it was the Committees’ responsibility to vet and approve an amendment, the proposal of authorising the Secretariat to carry out the job would offer administrative convenience, but careful consideration should be given on the matter.

160. The Chairman said he had known that the FC had discussed the issue at length. Paragraph 7.5.1 of the Manual clearly set out the types of sponsorship which the organisation should not receive while organising an event. Therefore, as far as an organisation understood, it was allowed to receive sponsorship or acknowledge sponsorship in any publicity materials relating to the event as long as it was not from companies selling tobacco and hard liquor, or from individuals or groups who were the contractors for the same item of service or equipment for a project. Therefore, he considered the case to be an administrative variation as the Manual stipulated the Secretariat could decide on its own how applications of this type would be dealt with. As he had just said, the powers of the chairman of a committee or a working group were not absolute, and this could apply to the powers of a committee. On the issue of financial management, a relevant committee should examine an amendment in accordance with the Manual and should not be influenced by personal views. He suggested the Secretariat review practices and make decisions on its own for the sake of consistency in handling issues, as long as the amendment did not constitute a breach of the Manual.

161. Mr Daniel CHAM, BBS, MH, JP said he agreed with the Chairman that the Secretariat

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could decide matters pertaining to sponsorship, as long as they fulfilled the requirements of the Manual. However, according to usual practices, when an organisation failed to provide sponsorship details when submitting the funding application, but provided an amendment that they had received sponsorship after funding approval, the amendment would have to undergo vetting and approval by both the CRCS&HC and the FC. In the case of the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong (“SRACP”), the amendment had to be vetted and approved by the Committees as sponsorship was not indicated at the time of application.

162. The Chairman said he was not commenting on individual cases, but just took the opportunity to clarify how matters pertaining to sponsorship should be dealt with in future. Since the FC had examined the case, he had no intention to overturn its decisions.

163. Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH said the CRCS&HC had endorsed by circulation of papers that the amendment from SRACP be recommended for approval by the FC. She said it was inevitable that the amendment could not be explained in full by way of circulation. She, therefore, welcomed the discussion at the meeting so that the Secretariat could know how to handle similar issues in future. She said she respected the decision made by Members at the FC meeting, and hoped they would understand the issue.

164. Mr Zachary WONG said he agreed with Mr Daniel CHAM that approval should be sought from relevant committees if an organisation received a new sponsorship item or an amendment had an impact on expenditure. In the case of SRACP, however, it would be problematic if approval of relevant committees was required for receipt of a venue sponsorship from Link which would have no expenditure implications. By the same token, approval from relevant committees would also be required for changes caused by an organisation to the date and time of an event, although the Secretariat could handle such changes on its own.

165. Mr YIU Kwok-wai said he agreed with Mr Daniel CHAM that Members would vet an application indicating sponsorship in accordance with the restrictions as set out in the Manual. If sponsorship was indicated after the FC had approved relevant funding, the amendment would not be regarded as an ordinary administrative variation and would be subject to approval by relevant committees. This was although some Members considered the amendment had no implications on expenditure. He asked the Chairman whether it was also up to the Secretariat to decide if sponsorship was made known only after approval of funding application, and whether the FC would further discuss appropriate methods to address the issue in future.

166. The Chairman said Members’ proposal to amend the Manual would be referred to the FC. As regards the case mentioned by Members, he understood that the organisation did not put down any sponsored item in the funding application but proposed to add a venue sponsor after funding approval. In his opinion, although the expenditure of the activity remained unchanged, the venue was used at a cost because a rental fee was usually charged for hiring the venue. In other words, even the venue was provided for free, it was a priced sponsorship which was not irrelevant to financial matters.

167. Mr MAK Ip-sing said when hiring a venue, many organisations would acknowledge the venue provider, for instance the LCSD, even they were not required to and this practice was not

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mentioned in the funding application. He held that Members might have different views towards Link, the venue sponsor but the proposed amendment of adding a venue sponsor had to be submitted to the committees for vetting and approval. As the amendment did not breach the Manual, Members should have no right to object.

168. Mr Zachary WONG understood the venue was used at a cost but the amendment did not have any implications on the expenditure. Moreover, it was common for organisations to acknowledge the hosts or singers who were supposed to charge but performed for free at events and such situations had never been submitted to the committees for vetting and approval. He emphasised that Members should consider the case based on the Manual rather than personal preference.

169. The Chairman understood that the organisation did not list the sponsored items in the funding application and added the venue sponsor after funding approval. It was regarded as an important change to be submitted to the Committees for vetting and approval, rather than an ordinary administrative variation. Another case was that the organisation had listed the sponsored items when submitting the application and provided additional information on the sponsors later. In that situation, as long as the sponsorship complied with the Manual, the Secretariat could decide on the amendment on its own.

170. Mr Zachary WONG said the value of sponsorship of singers could be higher than venue sponsorship, which should also be regarded as a significant change.

171. The Chairman said the amendment was submitted to the committee for vetting and approval not because of the value. Not having listed the sponsored items when the funding application was submitted, the organisation provided details of sponsorship after funding approval.

172. Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH disagreed with a Member’s saying that FC Members decided on matters according to their personal preferences. She clarified that Members’ decisions were made according to the Manual and upon detailed and rational discussions. Although there might be some unclear parts in the Manual, Members would make a resolution having considered the precedent cases. She thanked the Chairman for the detailed analysis at the meeting and his decision that ordinary administrative variations could be determined by the Secretariat while major changes had to be submitted to the committees for vetting and approval.

173. Members noted the progress reports of Yuen Long District Management Committee and Committees under the YLDC.

Item XIV: Any other business (i) Proposed reappointment to Hospital Governing Committee of Pok Oi Hospital (YLDC Paper No. 105/2018) 174. The Chairman asked Members to take note of Paper No. 105, in which the Hospital Authority (“HA”) proposed to recommend to the HA Board to continue to appoint Ms WONG Wai- ling to be a community member of the Hospital Governing Committee of Pok Oi Hospital for the new term of office starting from 1 April 2019. If Ms WONG Wai-ling agreed and other Members had

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no comments, Members were considered to have agreed to Ms WONG Wai-ling’s re-appointment.

175. The Chairman asked if Ms WONG Wai-ling was willing to continue to serve on the Hospital Governing Committee of Pok Oi Hospital.

176. Ms WONG Wai-ling indicated that she was willing to continue to serve on the Hospital Governing Committee of Pok Oi Hospital.

177. The Chairman asked if Members had other comments

178. Members raised no objection.

179. The Chairman announced that Members endorsed that Ms WONG Wai-ling continue to serve on the Hospital Governing Committee of Pok Oi Hospital on behalf of the YLDC from 1 April 2019.

(ii) Change of date of the first YLDC meeting 180. The Chairman said the first YLDC meeting in 2019 was scheduled at the Spring Lantern Festival on 19 February. To allow Member to participate in activities in the district, it was proposed that the meeting be postponed to 20 February. The Chairman asked for Members’ views.

181. Members raised no objection.

182. The Chairman announced that Members endorsed the change of date of the first YLDC meeting in 2019 to 20 February.

183. The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. He thanked departmental representatives and Members for attending the meeting.

Yuen Long District Council Secretariat February 2019

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