TAC Chairman welcomes "The Chief Executive's 2021 Policy Address"

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, welcomed the initiatives on smart mobility and improvement on road traffic announced in "The Chief Executive's 2021 Policy Address" delivered today (October 6) by the Chief Executive.

Professor Cheung said, "The Chief Executive mentioned in her Policy Address that the Government will take forward a series of smart mobility initiatives, including:

• implementing the Free-flow Tolling System progressively at government tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area from the end of next year;
• automated parking system projects in Tsuen Wan and Tai Po, among those seven projects, being commissioned this year and next year respectively;
• promoting autonomous vehicles with a bill submission to the next term of the Legislative Council by the Transport and Housing Bureau on the establishment of a new regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles; and
• providing funding support to projects that enhance commuting convenience for motorists, increase transport efficiency and improve driving safety through the Smart Traffic Fund launched in March this year.

"Furthermore, the Government will amend the relevant legislation to enable the serving of electronic fixed penalty notices against traffic contraventions to enhance efficiency of traffic enforcement. The Government will also amend the Road Traffic Ordinance to accept electronic driving licences presented by mobile applications to bring greater convenience to driving licence holders.

"I welcome the aforesaid proposals, many of which have been discussed in the TAC meetings. These initiatives are not only continuous efforts in the Government's smart city development, but will also help alleviate traffic congestion and further facilitate commuting by the public."

Ends/Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Issued at HKT 20:34