Ancillary transport facilities for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (2014/11/20)

MR YIU SI-WING: President, as the Terminal was completed last year, many members of the public and residents of the area want to pay a visit or spend money there, but transport services is really a big problem. At present, the Terminal is accessible by one green minibus route on weekdays and one other bus route during holidays. Such arrangements have restricted tourists and members of the public from visiting the Terminal and created a vicious circle.

As stated by Mr Tommy CHEUNG, we hope that the Government will implement some short-term measures to help the business operators at the Terminal and facilitate members of the public to visit the Terminal. What can be done? I think it is most important for the authorities to conduct a survey. Will they consider conducting a survey at the Terminal, as well as in Kwun Tong and North Point and ask members of the public what transport facilities can help them go to the Terminal, and then discuss with stakeholders of green minibus company whether additional routes can be provided to enable more people to go there? I think if the Secretary keeps on waiting, nothing will be achieved after two or three years. The Government has also rejected every suggestion put forward by Members just now. Will the Government conduct a survey as a short-term measure and submit a report expeditiously?

SECRETARY FOR DEVELOPMENT: President, I thank Mr YIU Si-wing for his suggestion. I will relay his suggestion of conducting a survey to the Policy Bureau concerned for serious consideration. In fact, after the Terminal has operated for a year, the transport arrangements have improved slightly. For example, minibus No. 86 used to operate a short period of time from 7 am to 8 pm, but the service hours have now been extended from 6.40 am to 11 pm. During rush hours, the service frequency has also improved to an interval of eight or 10 minutes.

As for bus service, the route that used to run only on Sundays and public holidays is now available on Saturdays as well, operating from 11 am to 7 pm. In addition, the service frequency has also improved from one hour interval to that of half an hour.

As I said, the operator of the Terminal is also exploring the possibility of deploying a pontoon. The relevant government departments will pay close attention to the matter, make suitable adjustments according to the traffic flow and enhance the services concerned.