We need to regularly review the implementation programme of these projects before substantial funds are committed to have them built. Cross-boundary traffic Cross boundary passenger and freight traffic is forecast to increase significantly in the years ahead as Hong Kong's economy becomes even more closely interconnected with that of the Mainland, particularly the adjoining Guangdong Province. The planning of infrastructure must take into account future demands in cross boundary passenger and freight movements. We need to provide new rail and road crossings and examine the feasibility of a port rail line for longer distance travel. At the same time, a number of measures will be introduced to increase efficiency at the existing cross-boundary vehicle checkpoints.
Railways are environmentally friendly and efficient mass carriers.
Locating future strategic developments along rail alignments will reduce reliance on road-based transport, enhance the efficiency of the rail network, and ensure affordable fare levels. Railway 'trunk lines' will be supplemented by 'feeder' services using other public transport modes. The existing railway network will be expanded over the next five years by about 40 per cent to more than 200 kilometres. And planning has already begun for the next generation of railway projects to meet Hong Kong's needs up to 2016. By that time it is expected that 40 to 50 per cent of all public transport journeys will be made on the environmentally-friendly railway system, compared to 33 per cent at present.