LC Paper No. CB(1) 866/98-99(05)
Legislative Council Panel on Transport
Park and Ride Scheme
Purpose
In the 1998 Transport Bureau Policy Objective, we undertook to conduct a review of the Park and Ride (PnR) trial scheme at Sheung Shui. This paper reports on the outcome of the review and sets out proposals for the future development of PnR scheme in Hong Kong.
Background
2. The Parking Demand Study, which was completed in December 1995, recommended the use of PnR as a traffic management measure. By providing parking facilities at public transport hubs strategically located on the fringe of busy business/urban areas, motorists can leave their cars behind and use public transport to complete their trips.
The Trial PnR Scheme at Sheung Shui
3. In December 1997, Transport Department in collaboration with Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) launched a trial PnR Scheme at Choi Yuen Road, Sheung Shui to test the reaction of motorists to this new concept. The trial site provides a parking capacity of 170 spaces where "Park and Riders" enjoy a concessionary parking fee of $3 per hour (as against the normal fee of $12 per hour).
4. An assessment of the trial scheme was made in December 1998, one year after the trial scheme was launched. Key observations were -
- the scheme has attracted a daily average of 122 users and helped reduce trips to and from the urban area;
- the most important incentive of the PnR scheme is the savings in journey costs which amounts to an average of $32 per trip;
- It is estimated that motorists with a one way journey time of 75 minutes or more would be likely to use and benefit from PnR; and
- the scheme is more popular with the middle income group having a household income of about $38,500 per month.
A note on the trial scheme is at Annex A.
Proposals for the Future Development of PnR Scheme
5. The above findings indicate that the motoring public can accept the PnR concept. However, it will take time for the PnR habit to build up. The findings of the trial scheme suggest that PnR schemes focusing on railway stations as hubs for PnR transfer would be worthwhile -
- it meets the needs of the travelling public : PnR can be developed as part of our inter-modal transfer strategy that could help users achieve savings in expenditure and time;
- it improves traffic management : locating PnR carparks at convenient and strategic railway stations at the urban fringe will encourage more motorists to use railways and reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and help car trips to the urban areas. This will also help relieve congestion and the demand for parking spaces in urban areas;
- This strategy is consistent with the Government's policy of providing an integrated public transport system with railways as the backbone; and
- PnR scheme brings environmental benefits as the reduction of cars on our roads will help reduce air and noise pollution.
Strategic Hubs for Future PnR Scheme(I) Using Existing Railway Stations as PnR hubs
6. Ongoing discussions are held between Government and the two Railway Corporations to plan and to provide PnR facilities using existing and new railway stations as hubs.
7. The current PnR site at Choi Yuen Road, Sheung Shui is let out under a short term tenancy, which will expire in December 1999 when the site is to be turned over to KCRC for West Rail Development. We have identified a replacement site close to the station and are planning to operate a replacement PnR Scheme on this site for the Sheung Shui area from 1999 to 2001. A permanent PnR facility is being considered in the KCRC Sheung Shui Station Development Project.
8. For residents in NT West, MTRC has introduced PnR schemes since October 1998 using the parking facility at Airport Railway Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations. These stations can serve the needs of motorists living in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. With a total of 640 parking spaces in these two stations, motorists are offered a concessionary rate of $5 per hour for PnR users who continue their journey with MTR. For those who continue their journey with the Airport Express Line (AEL), they are also offered a special rate of $5 per hour. A note on the MTR PnR schemes is at Annex B. Meanwhile, MTR is exploring the feasibility of developing a PnR facility around the Choi Hung area to serve the needs of residents of NT East.
(II) Using New Railway Stations as PnR hubs
9. We have included the provision of PnR facilities as one of the planning parameters in the new railway projects that are going to be built over the next five years. Six stations have been earmarked as suitable PnR hubs along West Rail, Ma On Shan Extension and Tseung Kwan O Extension (Details are at Annex C).
10. Details of PnR schemes to be operated from these new hubs are being discussed amongst Government Departments and the Railway Corporations as part of the ongoing planning process.
Advice Sought
11. Members are requested to note the proposals for future development of PnR Scheme as set out in paragraphs 6-10.
Transport Bureau
February 1999
