LCQ2: Testing of Ma On Shan Rail making good progress
Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Cheng and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council today (June 23):
Question :
The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation ("KCRC") is building the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link, and the Government is also conducting local consultation on the proposed public transport service plan in anticipation of the commissioning of this rail line. It is learnt that the relevant district councils and local communities strongly object to the reduction of franchised bus routes proposed in the plan. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether KCRC has adjusted the estimated ridership since the commencement of the planning for the line; if so, of the number of adjustments made and the estimated ridership concerned, as well as the current estimated daily ridership;
(b) of the number of test runs conducted on the trains which will serve this rail line; whether any of these trains has had failures; if so, of the number and the causes of the failures; and
(c) whether it will reduce the franchised bus routes according to the above proposal in the plan, particularly those between Ma On Shan and Hong Kong Island?
Reply :
Madam President,
In making patronage forecasts for new railway lines, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) makes use of a computer transport simulation model, which is based on the Government's published assumptions on economic growth, population growth and distribution, housing development, employment opportunities, bus route development etc.
The KCRC was invited by the Government to proceed with the detailed design and planning of Ma On Shan Rail (MOS Rail) in September 1998. According to KCRC's forecast at that time, the daily patronage of Ma On Shan Rail was estimated to be around 290 000 in 2011.
In end-1999, KCRC revised the patronage forecast for MOS Rail based on the latest planning figures released by the Government at that time and estimated that there would be 295 000 passengers per day in 2011.
KCRC's latest patronage forecast is based on the planning figures released by the Government in 2003. The projected population for 2004 was reduced from 7.4 million to 6.9 million. The Corporation therefore forecast that Ma On Shan Rail would have a daily patronage of about 200 000 by the end of the first year of operation, and about 100 000 during initial operation.
KCRC commenced a series of testing of the MOS Rail in early April this year. The testing mainly comprises three stages. The first stage focuses on the testing of individual functions and performance of the trains and individual systems with a view to ensuring that the performance of the trains and all the systems is up to the required standard. The second stage will focus on the interface and integration among different systems to ensure that they work well together. The final stage is known as "Trial Operation", during which the trains will run according to the actual operation timetables to ensure successful testing and to fully prepare for revenue operations.
The MOS Rail is currently undergoing the first stage of testing, in which repeated and vigorous testing of the train and individual systems is taking place. All the tests are making good progress. It is expected that the second stage of testing will commence in early July as scheduled and the final stage of testing (i.e. Trial Operation) will start in the fourth quarter this year.
As regards the adjustment to franchised bus services, since the commissioning of the MOS Rail will increase the external transport capacity of the area concerned by 34 per cent, it is necessary for us to rationalise the franchised bus services in order to reduce road congestion and improve air quality. On the other hand, our rationalisation proposals retain appropriate competition and provide choices to passengers.
Early this year, the Transport Department ("TD") started local consultation on the public transport plan to be implemented upon the commissioning of MOS Rail. Consultation work includes attending meetings of District Councils, conducting Area Consultative Forums, and holding meetings with local groups and representatives, etc. We understand that the local residents have reservation on or objection to some of the proposals to discontinue bus routes. Taking into account the above views, TD is considering modifying the controversial proposals. As regards the cancellation of bus routes plying between Ma On Shan and areas of Hong Kong Island, we will consider replacing the cancellation proposals by frequency reduction and relocation of the termini of the routes concerned from Central/Sheung Wan to Admiralty in order to improve the traffic conditions of the busy corridors in Central. We plan to launch the second round of local consultation on the revised proposal in July.
Ends/Wednesday, June 23, 2004