Minutes of the 8th Meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee Eastern District Council

Date: 19 March 2019 (Tuesday) Time: 2:30 pm Venue: Eastern District Council Conference Room

Present Time of Arrival Time of Departure (pm) (pm) Mr WONG Chi-chung, Dominic 2:30 end of meeting Mr WONG Chun-sing, Patrick 2:30 end of meeting Mr WONG Kwok-hing, BBS, MH 2:30 3:30 Mr KU Kwai-yiu 2:30 end of meeting Mr HO Ngai-kam, Stanley (Vice-chairman) 2:30 end of meeting Ms LI Chun-chau 2:30 end of meeting Mr LEE Chun-keung 2:30 end of meeting Mr LAM Sum-lim 2:30 end of meeting Mr LAM Kei-tung, George 2:30 4:00 Mr SHIU Ka-fai 2:30 end of meeting Mr HUNG Lin-cham, MH 2:30 end of meeting Mr CHUI Chi-kin 3:35 end of meeting Mr CHEUNG Kwok-cheong, Howard 3:05 end of meeting Mr LEUNG Siu-sun, Patrick 2:30 end of meeting Mr LEUNG Kwok-hung, David, MH 2:30 end of meeting Ms LEUNG Wing-man, Bonnie 2:30 end of meeting Mr HUI Ching-on 2:30 end of meeting Mr KWOK Wai-keung, JP 3:00 3:20 Mr MAK Tak-ching 2:30 4:20 Ms CHIK Kit-ling, Elaine 2:30 end of meeting Mr WONG Kin-pan, BBS, MH, JP 2:30 4:30 Mr WONG Kin-hing 2:30 end of meeting Dr CHIU Ka-yin, Andrew 2:30 end of meeting Mr CHIU Chi-keung, BBS 2:30 end of meeting Mr LAU Hing-yeung 2:30 end of meeting Ms CHOY So-yuk, BBS, JP 3:15 4:40 Mr CHENG Chi-sing 2:30 end of meeting Mr CHENG Tat-hung 2:30 end of meeting

Mr LAI Chi-keong, Joseph 2:35 end of meeting Mr NGAN Chun-lim, BBS, MH (Chairman) 2:30 end of meeting Mr LO Wing-kwan, Frankie, MH 3:15 end of meeting Mr KUNG Pak-cheung, BBS, MH 2:30 end of meeting Mr HUI Ka-hoo, BBS, MH (co-opted member) 2:30 end of meeting Ms TSANG Cheuk-yi (co-opted 2:30 end of meeting member)

Absent with Apologies

Mr TING Kong-ho, Eddie Mr HUI Lam-hing Mr YEUNG Sze-chun

In Regular Attendance (Government Representatives)

Mr LO Cheuk-lun, Rayson Assistant District Officer (Eastern) 2, Eastern District Office Ms NG Yan-mei, Monie Senior Executive Officer (District Council), Eastern District Office Mr CHAO Ka-man, Stanley Senior Liaison Officer (1), Eastern District Office Mr LI Yiu-man, Louis Senior Transport Officer/Eastern, Transport Department Mr LAI Hiu-ping, Rex Engineer/Eastern 1, Transport Department Mr KWAN Wing-yip Engineer/Eastern 2, Transport Department Ms WAN Yuen-lam, Vivian Engineer/Eastern 3 and General, Transport Department

Mr YAN Ki-kit District Engineer/, Highways Department Mr CHAN Chi-shing OC District Traffic Team (Eastern District), Police Force Ms CHAN Yu-shan, Sandy Executive Officer I (District Council) 3, (Secretary) Eastern District Office

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

Ms TSUI Shuk Ting, Yvonne Senior Transport Officer/Bus Development (Hong Kong)2, Transport Department Mr MAK Hin Shun, Thomas Transport Officer/Bus Development (Hong Kong)2, Transport Department Mr SIN Chi-yin, Mistral Manager (Planning), New World First Bus Services Limited/Citybus Limited Mr Brian NG Chief Planning Officer, New World First Bus Services Limited/Citybus Limited Mr YUEN Chi-wai Assistant Operations Manager, New World First Bus Services Limited/Citybus Limited Miss Rosa HO Manager (Operations Department One - Traffic), New World First Bus Services Limited/Citybus Limited Mr Kevin LI Public Affairs Manager, New World First Bus Services Limited/Citybus Limited Ms Peggy WONG Assistant Manager (Planning and Development), The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited Mr Jeff TAM Manager (Public Affairs), The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited Mr LEUNG Ka-yin, Tommy Project Supervisor/Universal Accessibility, Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr YIP Wai-fu Senior Resident Engineer, WSP (Asia) Limited Mr LAW Man-chor Engineer/Projects 1, Transport Department

Opening Remarks

Action The Chairman welcomed all Members, government representatives and organisation representatives to the meeting.

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Action I. Confirmation of the Draft Minutes of the 7th Meeting of TTC

2. Mr KU Kwai-yiu suggested to revise the phrase “to safeguard road safety” in the paragraph 12(b) to “to safeguard passenger safety”.

3. The Secretariat noted Member’s suggestion and would make the revision accordingly.

4. After the aforesaid revision, the TTC confirmed the minutes.

II. Bus Route Planning Programme 2019 - 2020 for Eastern District (TTC Paper No. 8/19)

5. The Chairman welcomed Ms Yvonne TSUI, Senior Transport Officer/Bus Development (Hong Kong)2 and Mr Thomas MAK, Transport Officer/Bus Development (Hong Kong)2 of the Transport Department (TD), Mr Mistral SIN, Manager (Planning), Mr Brian NG, Chief Planning Officer, Mr YUEN Chi-wai, Assistant Operations Manager, Miss Rosa HO, Manager, Operations Department One (Traffic) and Mr Kevin LI, Public Affairs Manager of New World First Bus Services Limited/Citybus Limited (Citybus & NWFB), and Ms Peggy WONG, Assistant Manager (Planning and Development) and Mr Jeff TAM, Manager (Public Affairs) of Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) to the meeting. Ms Yvonne TSUI of the TD briefed Members on Paper No 8/19.

6. The views and enquiries of 25 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr CHENG Tat-hung pointed out that the Eastern District Council (EDC) has been making proactive efforts to resume the service frequency of Route No. 18 since four years ago and yet it took the TD four years to complete the review. He hoped the TD would make improvement when conducting bus route review in future. He supported the enhancement in the service quality of Route No. 18 and hoped that the TD could implement the proposals as soon as practicable. He suggested that the TD should carry out a timely review after the extension of service hours of Route No. 18 during weekdays and also should consider resuming the service of Route No. 18 during weekends. In addition, he requested the TD to further elaborate on the details of the enhancement plan of Route No. 720X. He suggested the TTC to

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Action discuss first the TD’s proposal for the bus services to be introduced and leave the proposal for other routes till the next meeting.

(b) Mr Patrick LEUNG said that North Point residents had keen demand for bus services to Central and Sheung Wan and he supported the service enhancement of Route No. 18 during weekdays. He also hoped that the TD would consider providing the service during weekends. Besides, he pointed out that currently there were already enormous pedestrian and vehicular flows on King’s Road. Therefore, he did not agree with the provision of bus stops at Bo Fung Gardens and Sunway Gardens upon the introduction of new bus routes.

(c) Mr CHENG Chi-sing commended the TD for continuously improving the service quality of Route No. 18 and he supported the TD’s proposal. He also hoped that the TD would endorse the provision of service by Route No. 18 during weekends and public holidays. In addition, he expressed regret over the TD’s failure to consider the long-standing requests of Members on bus services in the Bus Route Planning Programme (BRPP) for the current year. He hoped that Route No. 8H could maintain its normal frequency after its first trip at 7:30 a.m. in order to serve members of the public for their visit to the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital for follow-up medical appointments in the morning. He also urged the bus company to erect shelters and provide chairs for the bus stop of Route No. 8H at Hong Kong Stadium, Eastern Hospital Road.

(d) Ms TSANG Cheuk-yi supported the service enhancement of Route No. 18 by the bus company. In addition, she hoped that the bus company would enhance the services of the real-time arrival information system.

(e) Mr David LEUNG had no comment on the service enhancement of Route No. 18. However, he expressed concern that the service coverage of the route might overlap with that of the current railway network, hence the bus route lacked competitiveness. He criticised that most bus routes in the BRPP for the current year ran from the New Territories and that there had not been proposals focusing on the bus service improvement in Eastern District. He requested the TD to withdraw the Paper and make amendments before submission to the TTC for discussion again.

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Action (f) Mr WONG Kwok-hing was disappointed that the BRPP for the current year had failed to address Members’ requests in the past on bus service enhancement. He pointed out that bus companies should introduce routes plying between and Sai Wan upon the commissioning of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (the CWB). He also urged bus companies to address the inconvenience for Eastern District residents who currently had to make excessive number of interchanges for accessing Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of High Speed Rail.

(g) Ms LI Chun-chau was disappointed that the BRPP for the current year failed to address the requests of residents and she strongly requested the TD to scrutinise the demand for bus services by Chai Wan residents.

(h) Mr KU Kwai-yiu pointed out that in the BRPP for the current year, only the proposal for Route No. 682A involved bus services of Chai Wan area. He was disappointed that the TD and bus companies had not responded to the requests of Chai Wan residents about bus services. He requested the TD to withdraw the Paper and make amendments before submission to the TTC for discussion again.

(i) Mr Andrew CHIU supported the TD’s proposal on service enhancement of Route No. 18. He also suggested the TD to continue to review the bus route and continuously enhance the service quality for the benefit of North Point residents. Besides, he suggested the Chairman to adjust the direction of the discussion to make full use of the TTC meeting time.

(j) Mr Patrick WONG supported the TD’s service enhancement proposal of Route No. 18. He said that most proposals in the BRPP for the current year had little relevance to Eastern District and he urged the TD and bus companies to seriously respond to the long-standing requests of Members for bus services. He took the example of Route No. 720X and pointed out that Members were not against the introduction of Route No. 720X. Instead, they opposed to the sourcing of vehicles by the bus company from Route No. 720 for the introduction of the route. In the past two months, the problem of lost trips by the bus route in the vicinity of and was serious. However, the TD had not yet put forward any improvement proposal accordingly. He hoped that the TD would review and improve on bus service quality under the BRPP and also strengthen the monitoring of bus companies effectively.

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Action

(k) Mr SHIU Ka-fai said that the TD should impose more comprehensive and effective monitoring from different perspectives on the bus companies for the improvement of bus service quality in Hong Kong. He pointed out that as the Global Positioning System had been well established, bus companies should have installed the real-time arrival information system in all bus stops. He queried that bus companies might have delayed the installation of the system for avoiding the exposure of the lost trip problem. Besides, he said that residents mainly relied on bus services for transportation. Therefore, he would actively monitor the bus service quality in that area.

(l) Ms Bonnie LEUNG supported the TD’s service enhancement proposal of Route No. 18. She said that the lost trip problem of Route No. 720X had been serious, and she requested the TD to actively respond to public views. She said that Members had always been voicing views on bus service enhancement. She had no idea why the BRPP for the current year only focused on the long-haul bus routes running from the New Territories but failed to mention any improvement proposals involving bus routes in Eastern District. Besides, she hoped that the TD would review the traffic condition after the commissioning of the CWB and proactively make use of the CWB for enhancement of bus service quality. She suggested the TD to consolidate Members’ views before attending the TTC meeting for discussion again.

(m) Mr MAK Tak-ching was not against the introduction of Route No. 720X but had always been against the sourcing of vehicles from Route No. 720 for the introduction of the bus route. He requested the TD and bus company to provide passenger statistics for both Route Nos. 720 and 720X so that Members could have more comprehensive discussion on the two bus routes.

(n) Ms Elaine Chik was disappointed that the BRPP had not taken into consideration Members’ views on the inadequacy of bus services voiced to the TD and bus companies in the past. She requested both the TD and bus companies to give a positive response to Members’ requests.

(o) Mr WONG Kin-hing said that most proposals in the BRPP for the current year only involved the enhancement of bus services in other districts but failed to put forward any enhancement proposals in

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Action response to Members’ views on bus services in Eastern District. He said that there was no railway network service to Siu Sai Wan. Therefore, he was disappointed that the BRPP failed to put forward any proposals to enhance the bus services in Siu Sai Wan area. He also pointed out that the TD and bus companies should enhance the bus services between Siu Sai Wan and Central and Western District with the commissioning of the CWB.

(p) Mr LAU Hing-yeung supported the TD’s service enhancement proposal of Route No. 18. He queried that the BRPP for the current year had not enhanced the bus service quality of Eastern District. He was also disappointed that the TD failed to give a positive response to his long-standing request for enhancement of bus services between Chai Wan West and Central and Western District.

(q) Mr Joseph LAI pointed out that the TD should review the overall transport planning of Hong Kong, specifically identify the different roles of buses and railway, and subsequently consult individual districts regarding their particular needs. He had repeatedly raised the issue of inadequacy in the frequency of Route No. 606X during the evening peak hours and he requested the TD to actively follow up on the issue.

(r) Mr KUNG Pak-cheung said that most cross-harbour bus routes in the BRPP for the current year would run via King’s Road. Therefore, he was concerned that it might aggravate the traffic congestion in King’s Road. He also reflected that the problem of lost trips of Route No. 780 for Chai Wan was serious from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day. Besides, he said that he had been making incessant demand for Route Nos. 694 and 682 to call at the bus stop at Wan Tsui Road over the years, but his efforts were of no avail. He hoped that both the TD and bus company would actively follow up on the issue.

(s) Mr LEE Chun-keung reflected that the frequency and service arrangement of Route Nos. 88X and 18X had caused great distress to Chai Wan residents and he requested the bus company to conduct a review accordingly. He was disappointed that the TD had long neglected the needs of Chai Wan East residents for bus services and the BRPP for the current year had failed to put forward any enhancement proposals on the inadequacy of bus service serving Chai Wan East. He requested the TD to give a response accordingly.

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Action

(t) Mr CHIU Chi-keung requested the TD to consult stakeholders’ views before formulating the BRPP so as to formulate bus route proposals involving less contention. He had no comment on the route to be introduced by the TD which would depart directly from the New Territories to Eastern District but requested the TD to simultaneously introduce bus routes departing directly from Eastern District to the New Territories for the convenience of Eastern District residents.

(u) Mr HUI Ka-hoo urged the TD to seriously heed Members’ views on bus services provided in the past. He suggested that the TTC endorse the BRPP for the current year in the first place so that the bus companies could implement the proposals for benefitting the public in the BRPP. On the other hand, he requested bus companies to consolidate Members’ views on other bus routes before submitting the enhancement proposals to the TTC for discussion.

(v) Mr CHUI Chi-kin remarked that the TTC had been requesting bus companies to either introduce new bus routes or enhance the frequency of existing bus routes from Chai Wan area to other districts, but the bus companies failed to give the TTC a positive response for the lack of resources. However, a number of new bus routes reaching Eastern District from other districts would be introduced under the BRPP for the current year. He requested the bus companies to give an account in this regard. He also asked why the BRPP for the current year had failed to respond to Chai Wan residents’ needs.

(w) Mr Dominic WONG was worried that the progress of the territory-wide bus routing adjustment would be hindered if the discussion on the BRPP for the current year was to be shelved at this meeting.

(x) The Vice-chairman remarked that Members had been reflecting their views on bus services to the TD and bus companies for years. However, the TD failed to take into consideration local needs in their formulation of the BRPP. He was extremely disappointed about such failure and he requested the TD to consolidate Members’ views before submitting the revised BRPP for the current year to the TTC for consultation.

(y) The Chairman was disappointed that the bus routes in Eastern District

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Action had been far from sufficient to meet local needs. He requested the TD to give a response accordingly.

7. Ms Yvonne TSUI and Mr Louis LI of the TD, Mr Mistral SIN and Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB, and Ms Peggy WONG of KMB responded to the views and enquiries of Members as follows:

TD

(a) The TD noted Members’ views on Route No. 18 and would review the need to provide services during weekends and public holidays after the review upon the extension of service hours of the route during weekdays.

(b) The TD explained that the proposed introduction of the four bus routes (i.e. routes plying between Fo Tan/Tsuen Wan West Station/Yuen Long Sun Tin/Tuen Mun (Area 54) and Sai Wan Ho) was for tying in with the increase in population and demand for bus services in newly developed areas. The TD noted Members’ requests to provide bi-directional instead of uni-directional bus services during peak hours. As the proposed introduction of the four bus routes were still in the consultation stage, the TD would consolidate the views of district councils before finalising the routing arrangements.

(c) The TD noted Members’ concern over the location of bus stops for the cross-harbour bus routes to be introduced. Before the bus routes come into operation, the TD would take into consideration the traffic conditions of the routings, for instance, whether the proposed locations of bus stops would be able to accommodate the additional traffic and passengers generated, before finalising the locations for the bus stops.

(d) Apart from formulating the long-term plans under the BRPP every year, the TD would also gauge local views and review and discuss with franchised bus operators on enhancement of bus service. For example, the bus company had operated an additional departure for Route No. 8H from Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) to Tung Wah East Hospital at 7:30 a.m. every day since 19 March 2018. It had also operated Route No. 606X to Siu Sai Wan during evening peak hours since 25 June 2018 to meet passenger demand.

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Action (e) The TD noted Members’ views on bus route in Eastern District and would monitor the service performance and changes in the volume of passengers of the bus routes. Service surveys would also be conducted from time to time. The TD would also explore adjustment measures on services with bus companies when necessary so as to meet passengers demand. Regarding Members’ views on erecting shelters for bus stops of Route No. 8H, the TD would liaise with the bus company and follow up accordingly. In addition, the TD had already carried out an investigation into the lost trip situation of Route No. 720 and would provide Members with the outcome after this meeting.

(f) The CWB had been fully commissioned since 24 February 2019. The TD had already arranged for Route Nos. 18X and 33X to run via the CWB, pending the finalised implementation schedule from the bus company. In addition, the BRPP 2019-2020 for Eastern District also suggested Route Nos. 960B, 960X and 968X to run via the CWB. The TD would continue to review the utilisation of the CWB and passenger demand for bus routes running via the CWB. The TD would also discuss with the bus companies and consider arranging more bus routes to run via the CWB.

Citybus & NWFB

(g) Citybus & NWFB highly regarded Members’ views and would assess them after meetings and further consider them subject to operational and financial conditions. In response to the commissioning of the CWB, Citybus & NWFB had already arranged for Route No. 962C and other bus routes to run via the CWB and would also arrange for Route No. 18X to use the CWB from 31 March 2019 onwards. Currently, Route No. 33X was in the trial run stage and Citybus & NWFB would report to Members when further information is available.

(h) Citybus & NWFB had conducted investigations into the lost trip situation of Route No. 720 and would propose an improvement plan to the TD once the findings were consolidated.

(i) Citybus & NWFB had conducted a feasibility study of erecting a bus shelter for the bus stop of Routh No. 8H at Hong Kong Stadium, Eastern Hospital Road. However, there were trees in the vicinity of the site. Approval for erection works was not granted as the site was located

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Action within the tree protection zone. Therefore, Citybus & NWFB could not erect a shelter thereat.

KMB

(j) KMB noted and would follow up on Members’ views regarding bus Route No. 606X.

Citybus & NWFB 8. After discussion, the TTC endorsed the TD’s proposal for Route No. 18. /TD/KMB The TTC voted to decide whether to continue the discussion about the remaining routes in the BRPP 2019-2020 for Eastern District. After voting, further discussion was vetoed with 3 votes in favour, 15 against and 1 abstention. The Chairman urged the TD to consolidate Members’ views and revise the BRPP for the current year before submission to the TTC for consultation again.

(Post-meeting notes: (1) Starting from 7 April 2019, Route No. 18X heading for Kennedy Town had been arranged to run via the CWB; and starting from 15 April 2019, Route No. 33X (plying between Cyber Port and Sai Wan Ho (Tai Hong House) would run via the CWB during the morning peak hours.

(2) The TD had conducted a survey in early March at the Tai Hong Street stop (towards Central) and the findings revealed that there were three departures less for Citybus & NWFB Route No. 720 than scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The TD had written to Citybus & NWFB to request their follow-up and improvement accordingly. After that, the TD had another site inspection at the Tai Hong Street stop together with Members in order to monitor the services of the bus route.

(3) Citybus & NWFB supplemented that there might be drainage facilities beneath the bus stop at the Eastern Hospital Road near the Hong Kong Stadium.)

III. Request to Strengthen the Supervision of the Stability of Various Systems and the Crisis Management Mechanism of Bus Companies (TTC Paper No. 9/19)

9. The Chairman welcomed Mr Louis LI, Senior Transport Officer/Eastern of

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Action the TD, Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB and Mr Jeff TAM, Manager (Public Affairs) of KMB to the meeting. Mr David LEUNG briefed Members on Paper No. 9/19.

10. The views and enquiries of 4 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr David LEUNG deemed it unacceptable for the normal operation of the bus company being affected by failure in the computerised duty despatch systems. He also pointed out that the practice of manual duty dispatch arrangement was too reliant on the bus captains responsible for the arrangement and hence worried that it would give rise to service chaos.

(b) Mr CHIU Chi-keung asked bus companies about their contingency plans in case of breakdown in the computer system.

(c) Ms Elaine CHIK opined that bus companies should back up their computer systems for providing support to any sudden breakdown of the systems so that adverse impacts to passengers would be minimised.

(d) The Vice-chairman asked KMB to give an account for the current breakdown in the computer system. He pointed out that the prevailing transport policy emphasised railway as the backbone of Hong Kong’s public transportation system and hoped that the Government would allocate more resources to the development of roads and bus services to provide a better travel mode option for the public.

11. Mr Louis LI of the TD, Mr Kevin LI of Citybus & NWFB and Mr Jeff TAM of KMB responded to the views and enquiries of Members as follows:

TD

(a) The TD noted that the public expectations and demand for bus services and would review bus service policies further.

KMB

(b) KMB considered that deploying computer systems for duty despatch arrangement was more reliable and stable. On 18 February 2019, a

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Action breakdown in the computer system led to a delay in the duty despatch arrangement. Subsequently, KMB immediately switched to manual duty despatch arrangement. Currently, KMB was reviewing the internal systems and the notification procedures to prevent similar incidents in future.

Citybus & NWFB

(c) Citybus & NWFB had been using computer systems for duty despatch arrangement and bus captain’s job records, etc. Citybus & NWFB had also been equipped with a back-up system to prevent bus service disruption in case of computer system failures. In case of emergency, Citybus & NWFB would inform the TD immediately in accordance with the alert system.

12. After discussion, the TTC urged the TD and the organisations to note Members’ views.

IV. Review the Need to Introduce Competition to Solve the Problem of Insufficient Bus Routes in Eastern District (TTC Paper No. 10/19)

13. The Chairman welcomed Mr Louis LI, Senior Transport Officer/Eastern of the TD to the meeting. Mr LEE Chun-keung briefed Members on Paper No. 10/19.

14. The views and enquiries of 3 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr KU Kwai-yiu said that there had been overlapping of service coverage for Route Nos. 8X and 19 since the trial phase. As there was quite a number of elderly people living in the vicinity of Koway Court, he suggested that the bus company deploy one of the routes to call at the bus stops at Koway Court and Neptune Terrace on trial basis, and also to formulate a long-term solution after reviewing the passenger volume. In addition, he highlighted that Members had always been requesting the bus company to operate direct bus services departing from Siu Sai Wan and Chai Wan to Aberdeen, but no positive response had received so far. He urged the bus company to take follow-up actions. He agreed to

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Action introduce competition into franchised bus services in order to enhance the current service quality.

(b) Mr LEE Chun-keung said that Members had been making suggestions on bus service quality improvement in the past, and residents in some areas of Hong Kong still relied on buses as the major means of transport, but the franchised bus operators failed to fully meet the public demand for quality bus services. He urged the TD to review the current franchised bus services and consider introducing more franchised bus operators to optimise the bus network.

(c) Mr CHUI Chi-kin said that at present, bus service quality was far from satisfactory but the bus companies had failed to improve the service quality in response to the public aspirations. Therefore, he queried whether they had fully discharged their corporate responsibility. He supported the TD’s introduction of more franchised bus operators to serve the public.

15. Mr Louis LI of the TD said in response to Members’ views that the TD noted Members’ views and would continue to pay attention to the public demand for introduction of new bus routes. The TD would then make timely invitation to the bus companies to make assessment and consider introducing new routes. The TD also encouraged the public to make effective use of the resources and concessions of the current bus network.

16. After discussion, the TTC requested the TD to note Members’ views.

V. Report on the 6th Meeting of the Working Group on Public Transport and Road Safety (TTC Paper No. 11/19)

17. Mr David LEUNG, Chairman of the Working Group, briefed Members on the Paper.

18. The TTC noted the Paper.

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Action VI. Progress Report on Matters Arising from Previous TTC Meetings (TTC Paper No. 12/19)

(i) (1) Motion: Request the Government to Install Lifts at Park (2) Universal Accessibility Programme - Provision of Lift Facilities at Three Footbridges in Eastern District (i) Footbridge across Island Eastern Corridor near (HF92 & 92A) (3) Provision of Barrier-free Access Facilities at Public Walkways in Eastern District under the Universal Accessibility Programme

19. The Chairman welcomed Mr Tommy LEUNG, Project Supervisor/Universal Accessibility of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and Mr YIP Wai-fu, Senior Resident Engineer of the WSP (Asia) Limited to the meeting.

20. The views and enquiries of 2 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr Patrick WONG said that the public welcomed the successive completion of lift retrofitting for footbridges Structure Nos. HF92 and 92A. He requested the department to take follow-up actions for the park restoration works and re-open the park areas for public use as soon as possible.

(b) Mr Howard CHEUNG said on behalf of Mr Andrew CHIU that the department had struck a balance in the installation of ventilation and daylight systems for the lifts at footbridges Structure Nos. HF92 and 92A and thanked them for taking heed of his views during the construction stage.

21. Mr Tommy LEUNG of the CEDD and Mr YIP Wai-fu of WSP (Asia) Limited responded to Members’ views that the CEDD had completed the reprovisioning of street lights inside Quarry Bay Park and the jogging track had been open for public use. The CEDD would continue to take follow-up actions on railing installation and traffic diversion and also to liaise with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on the arrangement for replanting.

HyD 22. After discussion, as the lifts for the footbridge across Island Eastern Corridor near Quarry Bay Park had already been open for public use, the TTC agreed not to

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Action follow up on the agenda item. According to the progress report by the Highways Department (HyD) at the 4th meeting of the TTC on 26 June 2018, the matters arising item 1(3) on the Universal Accessibility Programme (UA Programme), i.e. the construction works for the footbridge (HF90A) across King’s Road and , would be implemented under the works contract in the next phase of the UA Programme. Therefore, the TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(ii) Strongly Requesting the Government to Study and Review the Issue of Operational Safety of Non-franchised Buses

23. The Chairman welcomed Mr Rex LAI, Engineer/Eastern 1 of the TD to the meeting.

24. The TTC noted the written replies from the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB).

25. After discussion, as the industry had agreed to install the safety devices and conduct testing as soon as practicable in some of the non-franchised buses, the TTC agreed not to follow up on the agenda item.

(iii) Request for Studying the Provision of Real-time Road Traffic Information Display Panels along the Island Eastern Corridor

26. The Chairman welcomed Mr LAW Man-chor, Engineer/Projects 1 of the TD to the meeting.

27. The views and enquiries of 2 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr LEE Chun-keung said that no journey time indicator had been installed at the road sections at Island Eastern Corridor towards Chai Wan near the Cross-Harbour Tunnel entrance and there were insufficient journey time indicators westbound. He was disappointed that the TD had not actively listened to the views of the public and Members.

(b) The Vice-chairman said that as the TD opined that there was no need to install additional journey time indicators at Island Eastern Corridor after assessment, he suggested not to follow up on the agenda item.

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Action 28. Mr LAW Man-chor of the TD replied in response to Members’ views and enquiries that the TD had already installed journey time indicators at the major approach roads of Island Eastern Corridor eastbound and would also install additional indicators one set each at Hing Fat Street and Wong Nei Chong Road. Installation works was expected to be completed in 2020.

29. After discussion, the TTC agreed not to follow up on the agenda item.

(iv) Requesting MTR to Improve the Ventilation System of Passenger Lifts in

30. The agenda item was to be discussed at alternate meetings and would be discussed at the next meeting.

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

31. The TTC noted the written replies from the CEDD and the TD.

32. As the repairs and maintenance works of North Point Vehicular Ferry Pier had been completed, after discussion, the TTC agreed not to follow up on the agenda item.

(vi) Concern about Speeding of Night-shift Taxi Drivers

33. The Chairman welcomed Mr Louis LI, Senior Transport Officer/Eastern of the TD and Mr CHAN Chi-shing, OC District Traffic Team (Eastern District) of the HKPF to the meeting.

34. The views and enquiries of 4 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr KU Kwai-yiu pointed out that speeding by taxi drivers during night-time remained serious and he hoped that the HKPF would adopt effective measures to eradicate the problem.

(b) Mr LEE Chun-keung said that speeding in the vicinity of Chai Wan was serious and he suggested to install speed detector thereat.

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Action

(c) Mr Patrick LEUNG said that the Legislative Council (LegCo) was currently studying the feasibility of introducing legislation to cope with the serious speeding problem of night-time taxi drivers. He urged the HKPF to step up enforcement by deploying mobile speed detector and he also urged the TD to enhance promotion and education to drivers, reminding them of the danger of speeding. In addition, he requested the TD to provide statistics on accidents occurred on Island Eastern Corridor in 2018 and those involving taxis.

(d) The Vice-chairman said that there were speeding and non-compliance with traffic signals in which was prone to causing traffic accidents. He urged the department to install speed detector thereat.

35. Mr Louis LI of the TD and Mr CHAN Chi-shing of the HKPF responded to the views and enquiries of Members as follows:

TD

(a) The TD would liaise with the taxi and minibus industries through regular meetings to warn drivers against speeding and would also take follow-up actions on the suggested locations for installation of speed detectors. The TD would also provide Members with the statistics on accidents occurred on Island Eastern Corridor.

HKPF

(b) If members of the public noticed unsatisfactory driving attitude of drivers (including taxi drivers), they could report to the Transport Complaints Unit of the Transport Advisory Committee apart from contacting the HKPF. If the members of the public were willing to come forward as witnesses with the dates, time and locations of the incidents recorded and photos or video footage provided, it would be more likely that the HKPF could institute prosecution. The HKPF hoped that apart from deploying technology in assisting enforcement, they could also change drivers’ mindset so that drivers would be aware that there were always members of the public who could monitor their driving wherever and whenever they were and deterrent effect would be achieved.

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Action HKPF/TD 36. After discussion, the TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(Post-meeting notes: According to the TD’s records, there were 123 traffic accidents occurred on Island Eastern Corridor in 2018, among which 46 involved taxis.)

(vii) (1) Requesting the Transport Department and Hong Kong Police Force to review the Causes of North Point Crash and Propose Improvement Measures to Reduce the Occurrence of Similar Traffic Incidents (2) Urging the Department Concerned to Actively Improve the Traffic Conditions and Parking Situation at Cheung Hong Street

37. The Chairman welcomed Mr Rex LAI, Engineer/Eastern 1 of the TD, Mr CHAN Chi-shing, OC District Traffic Team (Eastern District) of the HKPF and Mr YAN Ki-kit, District Engineer/North Point of the HyD to the meeting.

38. Mr Rex LAI of the TD supplemented that the TD was designating a 24-hour No-stopping Restriction Zone (i.e. double yellow lines) at Cheung Hong Street.

39. The views and enquiries of 2 Members were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr Frankie LO suggested the additional provision of either single or double yellow lines at the road section outside the ex-premises of North Point Methodist Primary School in order to restrict vehicles from parking thereat.

(b) Mr CHENG Tat-hung asked the TD about the follow-up work at the upper and lower sections of Cheung Hong Street after the traffic accident in North Point and also the exact location of the 24-hour No-stopping Restriction Zone.

40. Mr Rex LAI of the TD responded to the views and enquiries of Members that the TD would designate an additional 24-hour No-stopping Restricted Zone (i.e. double yellow lines) on the offside lane of Cheung Hong Street (the section between Fort Street and King’s Road) and was also studying the feasibility of providing a lay-by at the road section outside the ex-premises of North Point Methodist Primary School.

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Action HKPF/TD/HyD 41. After discussion, the TTC agreed to follow up the agenda item upon further progress.

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

42. The Chairman welcomed Ms Vivian WAN, Engineer/Eastern 3 and General of the TD to the meeting.

43. The TTC noted the written replies from the Lands Department (LandsD) and the Planning Department (PlanD).

44. The views and enquiries of 4 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr LAM Sum-lim requested the TD to actively liaise with local district council members when construction works commenced so that members could effectively report to local residents on the works progress. He also asked about the completion date of the works.

(b) Mr CHIU Chi-keung hoped that the works could be commenced as soon as possible. He requested the TD to pay attention to the location of the carpark’s access point and submit the layout plan to Members for consultation before finalising the design option.

(c) Mr Frankie LO hoped the department would explore the feasibility of designating the space beneath other footbridges in Eastern District into carparks.

(d) The Chairman requested the TD to pay attention to the location of the carpark’s access point in order to ensure smooth traffic flow.

45. Ms Vivian WAN of the TD and Mr YAN Ki-kit of the HyD responded to the views and enquiries of Members as follows:

TD

(a) At present, there was already a turnaround at the junction of Tung Hei Road and Village Road before accessing Island Eastern

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Action Corridor. After leaving the metered parking spaces beneath Island Eastern Corridor, westbound vehicles could make U-turns at the location. The construction works would be carried out in two phases and the first phase was expected to be completed in July this year.

HyD

(b) The HyD had already received the Works Request Form from the TD and was applying for funding. The first phase of the construction works would commence by April this year and it would take three to four months to complete.

TD/HyD 46. After discussion, the TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

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

47. The Chairman welcomed Mr Rex LAI, Engineer/Eastern 1 of the TD to the meeting.

48. The TTC noted the written reply from the Eastern District Office.

49. The views and enquiries of 5 Members about the subject were summarised as follows:

(a) Mr Patrick WONG asked whether the temporary coach parking place at Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay had ceased operation. He pointed out that illegal parking outside that location was becoming more serious and vehicles tended to drive at higher speed on that road section. He was worried that it would pose dangers to pedestrians. He urged the HKPF to step up enforcement on the road section.

(b) Mr CHENG Chi-sing asked about other development purposes of the temporary coach parking place at Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay after the cessation of operation. He said that illegal parking outside the roundabout at Hoi Yu Street was serious and some drivers parked their cars for washing thereat. He urged the HKPF to step up enforcement.

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Action (c) Mr CHENG Tat-hung pointed out that the public parking spaces for coaches at the ex-North Point Estate development project had not resolved the serious illegal parking of coaches at Java Road, Wharf Road and Road. He queried that the TD and developers had failed to provide incentives to attract coach drivers to park their vehicles thereat. He asked about the utilisation of the newly provided public parking spaces for coaches and also the TD’s follow-up work regarding illegal parking of coaches which remained a serious problem in North Point area.

(d) Ms TSANG Cheuk-yi said that the temporary coach parking place at Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay used to effectively alleviate the illegal parking problem of coaches in North Point area and hence the same problem recurred when the temporary coach parking place ceased operation. She pointed out that the newly provided public parking spaces for coaches were insufficient to meet the current needs and she urged the TD to identify another site for coaches to park.

(e) Mr CHIU Chi-keung said that it was commonly observed that coaches waited temporarily in the vicinity of Java Road for picking up passengers. There was also illegal parking of private vehicles at that road section. He urged the HKPF to step up enforcement at the location during peak hours.

50. Mr Rex LAI of the TD and Mr CHAN Chi-shing of the HKPF responded to the views and enquiries of Members as follows:

TD

(a) The TD had already returned the site of the temporary coach parking place at Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay to the LandsD for future planning and development. The newly provided public parking spaces for coaches would be sufficient to meet community needs. However, the parking fees charged by private carparks were to be determined by the private market and in general, the government would not intervene in the pricing.

HKPF

(b) The HKPF would take follow-up actions against illegal parking at the roundabout at Hoi Yu Street and would step up enforcement when necessary. In addition, the HKPF had been paying close attention to

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Action the illegal parking problem of coaches along Java Road to Shu Kuk Street and would station staff at the location during the evening peak hours every day for traffic control to ensure smooth traffic flow. In addition, the HKPF would take enforcement actions against illegal parking at Marble Road and Tsat Tsz Mui Road. The HKPF would closely monitor the illegal parking situations and the effectiveness of enforcement actions and would flexibly redeploy resources where necessary in order to enhance enforcement actions.

51. After discussion, as the thirty public parking spaces for coaches at the ex-North Point Estate development project had been open for public use, the TTC agreed not to follow up on the agenda item.

(x) (1) Request for Solving the Serious Congestion during Peak Hours at a Pedestrian Crossing outside the Exit of MTR (2) Urging the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited to Build a Pedestrian Subway Connecting to Tong Chong Street at MTR Quarry Bay Station in order to Alleviate Congestion (3) Request for Provision of an MTR Exit at the North of Tai Hong Street (4) Strong Request for Lift Installation at MTR Station for Access to Ground Level (5) Strong Request for Building a Lift at Tai Koo MTR Station Concourse to Ground Level (6) Providing Convenience for the Elderly to Take the MTR at Tai Koo Station (7) Request for Escalator Installation at Exit A3 of MTR Shai Kei Wan Station (8) Installation of Paid Passageway Validators at MTR Quarry Bay Station (9) Suggestion to Install Escalator at Exit B1 of MTR (10) Request for Escalator Installation at Exit A of MTR (11) Request for Provision of Air-conditioning at the Concourse of MTR Chai Wan Station (12) Request for Replacement of Turnstiles from MTR to MTR Chai Wan Station along the Island Line (13) Requesting MTRCL to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on the Provision of Lifts Connecting Street Level and Station Concourse at Tai Koo Station

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Action

MTR/ 52. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. Properties/TD/HyD

(xi) Strong Request for Increase in the Number of Seats and Introduction of Low-floor Public Light Buses Serving as Soon as Possible

TD 53. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xii) Request for Offer of Green Public Light Bus Service Connecting , A Kung Ngam and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

TD 54. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xiii)Request for Launching Additional Green Minibus Routes

TD/HyD 55. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xiv) Improving Traffic Arrangements for the Westbound Carriageway from the East Pier under the Island Eastern Corridor at Sai Wan Ho to the Island Eastern Corridor

TD/HyD 56. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xv) Request for Commencement of the Improvement Works on the Pedestrian Stairs from Ming Yuen Western Street to Fort Street as Soon as Possible

HyD/Buildings 57. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. Department

(xvi) (1) Request for Review on the Current Guidelines on Working Hours of Bus Drivers (2) Request for Conduction of a Comprehensive Review of the Safety of Franchised Buses (3) Concern about the Safety of Bus Passengers and Pedestrians (4) Discussion on the Problems Arising from the Proposed Amendments of the “Guidelines on Bus Captain Working Hours, Rest Times and Meal Breaks”

TD/Citybus & 58. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

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Action NWFB/KMB

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

TD/Citybus & 59. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

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

TD/Citybus & 60. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

(xix) Requesting the Bus Companies to Provide Monthly Pass Concessions

TD/Citybus & 61. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

(xx) Concern about the Lack of Cross-boundary Bus Services in the Eastern District

TD/Citybus & 62. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

(xxi) Requesting the Bus Companies to Launch More Routes Connecting the Eastern District to West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link

TD/Citybus & 63. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

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Action (xxii) Request for Launching a New Bus Route Directly Connecting Chai Wan to Aberdeen

TD/Citybus & 64. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

(xxiii) Request for Launching a New Overnight Bus Route Connecting Kowloon East to Island East

TD/Citybus & 65. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB

(xxiv) Concern about the Traffic Conditions after the Return of the Eastern Harbour Crossing Franchise to the Government in 2016 and Urging Adoption of Practical Measures to Prevent Traffic Congestion in the Eastern District

TD 66. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xxv) (1) Strong Request for More Car Parks for Large Vehicles in the Eastern District (2) Urging the Government to Build Multi-storey Car Parks or Allocate More Sites for Parking (3) Strong Request for Multi-storey Car Parks in the Eastern District (4) Requesting the Government to Investigate the Total Number of Shortfall in Parking Spaces in the Eastern District to Facilitate the Formulation and Planning of Policies on Car Parks and Parking Spaces in the Eastern District

TD/Citybus & 67. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. NWFB/KMB (xxvi) Request to Review Pedestrian Walkway Width Standards and Guidelines and to Implement Pedestrian Schemes

TD/HyD 68. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xxvii) Strongly Demanding that the Transport Department Face Squarely to Hong Kong’s Road Safety Problems Request for the Department to Introduce New Equipment to Enhance Road Safety

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Action

TD/HyD 69. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xxviii) Will the Half-baked Idea of “Franchised Taxi” Meet the Same Fate as Food Trucks? Why Does the Government Still Not Allow the Legislation of the Sharing Economy Model for Passenger Carriage Service?

THB/TD 70. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress.

(xxix) Request for Comprehensive Transportation Facilities in Nearby Areas when Providing a New Columbaria

Food and Health 71. The TTC agreed to follow up on this agenda item upon further progress. Bureau/Food and Environmental Hygiene Department/TD/ Housing Department/ LandsD/HKPF/ HyD/Architectural Services Department (xxx) Progress Report on Major Traffic Enhancement Projects by the Transport Department/Highways Department, including Works Completed, Ongoing or Planned in the Past Two Months with Related Timetables (as in February 2019)

HyD 72. The departments had no projects to report.

VII. Any Other Business

73. The TTC had no other issue for discussion.

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Action VIII. Date of the Next Meeting

74. The meeting ended at 5:20 pm. The next meeting would be held at 2:30 pm on 21 May 2019 (Tuesday).

Eastern District Council Secretariat May 2019

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