comment Rail Bill

LC Paper No. CB(1)2266/05-06(04) Submission to Legislative Council regarding the Rail Merger Bill Dr. HUNG Wing-tat Associate Professor The Hong Kong Polytechnic University 25 September 2006 INTRODUCTION 1. This is a submission of my personal comments on the proposed Rail Merger Bill proposed by Government on 20 June 2006. The Bill is being considered at the Legislative Council (Legco) Bill committee. 2. Commenting on this Bill is necessary as it affects the welfare of the public, in particular, it affects the re-distribution of social responsibility of Government as well as the accessibility of the public to railway and connecting services. GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBLITIES ON RAILWAY 3. It is the public expectation that the Government has an unsheltered responsibility on transport provision. Transportation in itself is a commodity and contributes to the economy of Hong Kong. Most importantly, it has a major social role to play. It provides mobility and accessibility to enable the community to function. 4. Provision of an efficient public transportation system is vital because i) it is fair to all in resources allocation, no distinction of the poor and the rich; b) it is more efficient in land consumption especially the case of limited road resources in urban city like Hong Kong; c) it enables the majority of people who have no choice of private transport to access jobs, schools and government facilities. 5. Equal accessibility to ...