Press Release
SETW
speaks on air quality, safety measures for mini buses, MTR incident
and public transport fare adjustment mechanism.
Following is a transcript
of a media session by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport
and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, after attending a radio programme this
morning (November 8):
Reporter: ... about securing
natural gas source?
Dr Liao: The use of Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG) for electricity production amounts to about one
third of what CLP now produces. However, there is apparently a shortage
in the supply from Hainan. So there is an urgent need to look for
more LNG supply from other sources. However, we will need a storage
provision to have gas coming in by tankers, rather than by pipes.
So we need to look for sites for storage and also import sources.
Reporter: What will be
the impact of air pollution if there is not enough LNG?
Dr Liao: The current
situation is we have emission control standards for the power companies.
We are talking to them in imposing emission caps for the future
which will reflect the current situation with regards to air quality
objectives. That means we have a very progressive programme to reduce
emissions such that we can target at better air quality in the end.
Reporter: ... Why is
now burning more coal...
Dr Liao: There is always
a balance if we cannot find LNG and if we do not get more nuclear
energy. We have to resolve to the fuel that is available for the
time being. But for long term planning, we have to secure constant
supply of LNG.
Reporter : Why do you
think the implementation of safety measures for mini buses is necessary?
Dr Liao : We have accidents
statistics to show that mini buses have the exceptionally high rate
compared to the average accident rate of all vehicles in Hong Kong.
And there is a need to tighten up the safety measures. Both in terms
of monitoring the safety of mini buses as well as educating the
drivers and increasing the penalty for those who break the law.
Reporter : How's the
progress of the discussion?
Dr Liao : The Transport
Department is taking forward in collaboration with the Road Safety
Committee under the Transport Advisory Committee.
Reporter : Is there any
specific time line for using the fare "adjustment" mechanism?
Dr Liao : We have a number
of time lines but we are not disclosing it at the moment. But for
the two railways, certainly when the merger discussion is completed,
that would be the time. For the buses, it would be sometime in 2005.
(Please also refer to
the Chinese portion)
Ends/Monday, November
8, 2004
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