Remarks by STL on law on seat belts at press conference on Transport Strategy Blueprint (with video)
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, on the law of seat belts at the press conference on Transport Strategy Blueprint today (February 6):
Reporter: By taking responsibility of the team, do you mean you are trying to apologise to the public on behalf of the team? Also, could you detail a bit in English—what do you mean by that you try to improve the communication between officials to further explain and better clarify the regulation to the public?
Secretary for Transport and Logistics: The objective of introducing the relevant subsidiary legislation on seat belt installation and wearing actually revolves our primary objective: to enhance passenger safety provision. We remain positive and we remain our view that we have to do everything at our best in order to enhance passenger safety in different aspects. At the present moment, we have received, collected and gathered different views, suggestions and concerns regarding the wearing of seat belts on buses, including franchised buses and non-franchised buses.
These views received so far can be classified into different areas. They are related to the design, the installation of seatbelts, the scope of applicability of seatbelt installation and wearing within a bus, as well as exemptions or the penalties. All these feedback or views will be classified and consolidated into various buckets.
At the same time, we are gearing up ourselves as soon as possible to consolidate these views, and to summarise them into different areas, so as to enable the Transport and Logistics Bureau to conduct a public consultation exercise, so that we can collect and gather more views in different aspects in a systematic way. We hope that, with public consultation and views collected, this will enable us to explore actively or examine different feasible options, including possible areas to further enhance the arrangement for installation and wearing of seatbelts by passengers on buses.
We also attach importance to the internal verification, monitoring and double-checking system safeguard arrangement. My team and I, of course, consider that we must be more careful and serious in examining and in taking forward important legislative exercises such as this seat belt legislation, so that we can make sure that, in future legislative exercises, we can be foolproof in our preparation and ensuring that the policy and legislative intent are fully reflected in the legislation, as well as to ensure that our explanation and various briefings made are consistent with the objective we would like to deliver. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Source: AI-found images
Government announces Transport Strategy Blueprint (with photos/video)
The Government announced the Transport Strategy Blueprint today (February 6), with the vision of "Implementing a people-centric approach, Strengthening connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, Promoting efficient travel, and Embracing green lifestyle". It establishes three major themes for future transport development, and proposes six strategies with a total of 25 recommendations to drive the sustainable development of Hong Kong's transport system.
The three major themes are "Enjoyable Journeys", "Well-connected City", and "Healthy Mobility". "Enjoyable Journeys" adheres to a public transport-oriented policy, enhancing local and cross-boundary transport infrastructure to connect the economic core areas of Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories, driving economic development and optimising passenger travel experiences. "Well-connected City" focuses on leveraging advanced technology to promote digitalised traffic management, improving transport efficiency, including more flexible scheduling of public transport services based on individual passenger needs, promoting autonomous driving, and sharing more transport data with the public for trip planning, fostering smart mobility. "Healthy Mobility" integrates the concept of sustainable communities into urban planning, actively promoting green travel modes such as walking, cycling, and electric mobility devices.
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said, "Transportation is a cornerstone of modern urban development, shaping economic growth, regional integration, and the daily lives of citizens. The Blueprint sets out future objectives, strategies, and directions, articulating short-, medium-, and long-term measures to advance Hong Kong's economic development and enhance the convenience for its people. This year, we have ten key measures, and the Blueprint also outlines transport strategies for the next two decades, allowing us to maintain our global leadership in public transport, consolidating Hong Kong's position as a regional and national transportation hub; at the same time, through actively embracing smart technology, providing more convenient and diverse transportation options for citizens and tourists, making Hong Kong a city ideal for living, working and travelling.
The Blueprint comprehensively considers Hong Kong's population trends, travel demands, urban and technological development, and other factors. Key contents include a new layout of "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" infrastructure projects, planning for a new generation of Transport Interchange Hubs, flexible "Smart Demand-responsive Public Transport Mode" services, enhancing the application of artificial intelligence in traffic management, promoting the development of autonomous vehicles, actively increasing parking spaces, developing low-altitude economy, and enhancing pedestrian environments. The implementation of the Blueprint will promote Hong Kong's economic growth and sustainable development, while facilitating the movement of people and goods within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.
The full text of the Blueprint has been uploaded to the Transport and Logistics Bureau website (www.tlb.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
Government announces Transport Strategy Blueprint (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces Transport Strategy Blueprint (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
