First published: February 24, 2010
Source: Hong Kong Government via 7th Space
Hong Kong (HKSAR) – Following is a question by Hon Audrey Eu and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (February 24): Question: It has been learnt that at present, quite a number of non-franchised buses carry foreign travellers via the Cross Harbour Tunnel (CHT) every day to areas with high air pollution index such as Central, Wai Chai and Causeway Bay for sightseeing.In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (a) whether it knows the average daily number of trips run by non-franchised buses carrying overseas visitors via CHT last year, and the average number of such trips run during peak hours; (b) of percentage of respirable suspended particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions from non-franchised buses in the total amount of the emissions concerned from all vehicles in Hong Kong last year; and (c) what new measures will be put in place by the authorities to reduce the air pollutants emitted by non-franchised buses? Reply: Mr. President, (a) A survey conducted by the Transport Department in October 2009 found that on average non-franchised buses providing tour service operated about 1,960 trips via the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel from 6 am to 10 pm daily.About 860 of these trips were made during the peak periods from 7 am to 10 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm.The survey did not differentiate whether or not the passengers on board were overseas visitors. (b) The compilation of the vehicle emission inventory for 2009 (including non-franchised buses) will be completed around end of this year.However, in 2008, the respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides emitted from non-franchised buses accounted for about 6% of the respective total vehicular emissions in Hong Kong.
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