LCQ6: Constructing green smart mass transit system in Kai Tak
19.4.2023

Following is a question by the Hon Yang Wing-kit and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, in the Legislative Council today (April 19): Question: It is learnt that the Mainland's elevated mass transit system "SkyShuttle", which is powered by traction batteries and features a small turning radius, strong gradeability and little construction space, is suitable for various complex topographies. It is also equipped with fast escape routes, and the construction cost of "SkyShuttle" is low. There are views pointing out that "SkyShuttle" can provide new ideas for the construction of a green smart mass transit system (green smart system) in Kai Tak. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) whether it has conducted visits to any green smart systems of overseas countries or the Mainland, including "SkyShuttle"; if so, of the details, and which green smart systems are suitable for the former runway area of Kai Tak; if not, the reasons for that, and when such visits will be conducted; (2) whether it will conduct a feasibility study on the construction of a "SkyShuttle" transit system in Kowloon East (with the alignment starting from Kai Tak Station Square and extending along Muk Tai Street and Shing Fung Road to the end of the former runway area of Kai Tak, then crossing the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter to the Waterfront Promenade at Cha Kwo Ling, and further extending along Cha Kwo Ling Road to the MTR Yau Tong Station); if so, of the timetable and roadmap; if not, the reasons for that; and (3) whether it will bring in Mainland manufacturers and operators to construct a green smart system in Kai Tak to enhance cost-effectiveness; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply: President, The Government understands the concern raised by the Member about the need of public transport and introduction of green and smart mass transit system in the former Kai Tak Runway Area. Our reply to the question raised by the Member is as follows: (1) The Government reviews from time to time the latest development, system characteristic, operation environment and application as well as the economic and financial benefits of public transport services (including green and smart mass transit systems) in the Mainland and around the world. In recent years, the Government teams have visited many cities in the Mainland as well as overseas countries such as the United Kingdom and France to study their local transport systems, including green and smart mass transit systems like green bus system, modern tram, tracked and trackless trains, tracked bus, etc, so as to explore their applicability to Hong Kong with due consideration of the technical specifications, construction and operation costs of various systems. (2) and (3) Regarding the Kai Tak Development Area (KTDA), the Government has conducted an in-depth and detailed study on constructing a single elevated mode of Environmentally Friendly Linkage System (EFLS) in Kowloon East (including Kai Tak). The findings of the study revealed that the proposed EFLS would be technically constrained by the congested development in the vicinity. For instance, it would be difficult for the proposed EFLS to meet the statutory requirement of emergency vehicular access and to be efficiently constructed in the narrow road space and crowded environment of the area. The construction cost and recurrent costs would be very high, thus not a sustainable and pursuable option for the EFLS. As a result, the study recommended exploring options other than the single elevated mode of EFLS. At the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Development in January 2021, the Government reported that on the basis of the increasingly comprehensive road and railway infrastructure facilities as well as the convenient public transport services in Kowloon East, the implementation of a "multi-model" EFLS for Kowloon East could meet the travelling need of the local community to connect with various development hubs and major facilities in the area and shape the KTDA into a green community. The Government is actively taking forward various initiatives. Among them, the elevated landscaped pedestrian deck to enhance connectivity near the MTR Kwun Tong Station commenced construction in 2022. As regards the proposed facilities such as the pedestrian cum cyclist bridge with travelators across Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter that link up the former Kai Tak Runway Area, the Kowloon Bay Action Area and the Kwun Tong Action Area as well as the travelators at Wai Yip Street, etc, the Civil Engineering and Development Department commenced the study and detailed design for such facilities in June 2022, and consultations on these facilities are expected to be carried out in 2023. The study and detailed design for the proposed elevated travelators at Sheung Yee Road commenced in March 2021, the gazettal of the road works has been completed and the detailed design is now in progress. The GreenWay network for shared-use by pedestrians and cyclists will dovetail with the implementation programmes of the open space and infrastructure projects in the KTDA. The first phase of the GreenWay network, about 7.5km long, is expected to be commissioned progressively in 2023. The Government expects that the aforesaid "multi-modal" EFLS together with the public transport services will be sufficient to meet the transport need of the KTDA. Regarding the public transport services in the KTDA, there are currently 20 franchised bus routes and five green minibus routes, which take residents of the area to nearby railway stations and other districts. With the gradual completion of infrastructures and implementation of traffic improvement measures in the KTDA and its vicinity, we will continue to rationalise the bus service network, closely monitor the operation of various routes, and discuss with the operators to suitably adjust or strengthen the services to cater for the progress of developments and passenger demand in the KTDA with a view to enhancing the public transport services in the area. Also, in view of the development of Kowloon East (including Kai Tak), the Transport Department is planning to introduce Citybus Route No. 20X (Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Tsim Sha Tsui (Circular)) and extend the terminating point of Citybus Route No. 20A (Kai Tak (Muk On Street)-Express Rail West Kowloon Station) to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in the third and fourth quarters of this year respectively, and target to introduce Citybus Route No. 22S (Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Kai Tak (Muk Yuen Street)) in the third quarter of 2024 to further strengthen the internal and external public transport services of the KTDA. Regarding the concern on the public transport system in the KTDA, depending on the latest planning development as well as the traffic conditions after the successive implementation of the related pubic transport services, the Government, on top of "multi-modal" EFLS, will continue to consider the latest technology developments in green and smart mass transit systems in the Mainland and around the world and explore rooms to enhance the "multi-model" EFLS, so as to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the transport network in the area. We maintain an open mind for the introduction of green and smart mass transit system in the Mainland and around the world (including the manufacturers and operators). The major factors to be considered include the need for public transport in the development area and passenger carrying capacity of the system, space to be occupied for the construction of the system, sustainability of the system, cost-effectiveness of construction and operation as well as the impacts on the adjacent stakeholders and environment, etc. Thank you, President.