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More Efficient Bus Operation Proposed for Better Environment in HK
More efficient bus operation such as reducing the number of bus trips and stopping activities in the busy areas can alleviate traffic congestion and reduce vehicle emission, a Hong Kong official said Wednesday.
Speaking at a better air quality workshop, Assistant Commissioner for Transport S. M. Li said the air pollution problem at street level in Hong Kong is largely caused by vehicle emission.
Traffic and transport professionals could play an active role in combating roadside air pollution through transport planning and traffic management measures, he said.
Enhancing the efficiency of bus operation is one of the traffic management measures, Li said, referring to measures such controlling the deployment of buses in busy areas; promotion of bus-bus and bus-rail interchanges, adjustments to bus routings and frequency and bus stop rationalization.
Regarding rationalization of bus routes and stops, Li pointed out that since late 1998, the number of operating trips passing through Central District has been reduced through various measures.
In addition to reduction in bus trips in Central, the routings of 24 bus routes, involving about 160 bus trips per peak hour, were diverted to avoid the congested traffic spots in Central and Causeway Bay, Li said.
To further enhance bus efficiency, bus stops located on major traffic corridors were rationalized to reduce stopping and weaving movements of buses, Li said.
The Transport Department would review the operation of bus stops on major corridors regularly and initiate measures to improve the situation whenever necessary, Li said.
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