Transport and Housing Bureau's response to media enquiries on the arrangements for the cross-boundary private cars ad hoc quota trial scheme
Hong Kong (HKSAR) - In response to media enquiries on the arrangements for the cross-boundary private cars ad hoc quota trial scheme, a spokesman for the Transport & Housing Bureau reiterated today (February 7) that the first phase of the trial scheme to be launched in March this year would only allow owners of qualified Hong Kong private cars with five seats or less to apply for an ad hoc quota to enter Guangdong Province from Hong Kong for short-term stay. The relevant arrangements and implementation details would be announced as soon as possible.
Regarding when the next phase, which would allow Mainland private cars to apply for ad hoc quotas to enter Hong Kong, would be implemented, the spokesman stressed that there was yet a concrete timetable in this respect and the detailed arrangements had to be further discussed by experts from Hong Kong and Guangdong. The implementation details and time table for the next phase would depend on the outcome of the first phase.
The spokesman said: "We understand the community's concern over the trial scheme.
We will, for sure, implement the scheme in a gradual manner, and will carefully consider the capacity of the control points and road networks of both sides, the air quality as well as other related factors, when deciding on the number of quotas. We will start from a small number, in order to ensure that our traffic, road safety and environment will not be adversely affected.
When approving applications for the ad hoc quotas, authorities of both sides will take into account applicants' traffic contravention record. We will only allow drivers with good driving records to make use of the trial scheme to travel between the two places for short-term stay.
We will remind drivers from both sides of things that they should take note of when driving in the other side through education and publicity, to avoid accidents."
The spokesman said: "In fact, both Hong Kong and Guangdong authorities have been discussing the cross-boundary private cars ad hoc quota trial scheme for a long time. Over the past few years, the scheme had been discussed by the Legco Panel on Transport and the Legislators had also raised questions about the progress of the scheme a number of times. The Legislators were generally in support of the scheme, which was also welcomed by members of the public.
In 2010, the Government announced the scheme had been included in the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation. The Chief Executive also announced at the 14th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in August 2011 that the first phase of the trial scheme would be implemented in March 2012. The Chief Secretary for Administration had also at the 17th Working Meeting of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in January this year reiterated the implementation timetable of the first phase of the scheme."
Source: HKSAR Government
Published on: 2012-02-07
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