Latest news with #MableChan
RTHK
14 hours ago
- Business
- RTHK
$10 toll for Central Kowloon Route 'the best option'
$10 toll for Central Kowloon Route 'the best option' A number of lawmakers said they feel the proposed HK$10 fee for the Central Kowloon Route is too high. Photo courtesy of the Highways Department The transport chief has defended a plan to charge motorists HK$10 for using a brand-new arterial road connecting East and West Kowloon, after several lawmakers called on the government to consider adjusting the across-the-board fee. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Friday said the authorities are trying to strike a balance between striving to recover costs and ensuring public usage in coming up with a suitable toll level. The administration had considered various options for the Central Kowloon Route, including toll-free access as well as fees of HK$10 or HK$17. A 4.7-kilometre-long stretch of the route, named the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass, is expected to open this year. A number of lawmakers complained that the proposed fee level was too high, with one of them, Chau Siu-chung, raising the possibility of halving the charge to HK$5. Fellow legislator Bill Tang urged the government not to rush into charging motorists but to instead let them use the route for free initially. "How about we wait until it has been opened at the end of this year and monitor actual traffic flows before deciding on the toll?" he said. "And if the government is setting a fee level, depending on whether the community accepts it, how does HK$8 sound?" Mable Chan, in reply, said a cheaper toll fee might not be the best option. "We need to spare some capacity for when the traffic load increases," she said. "We need to be prepared. "In terms of diverting traffic and sparing capacity, charging HK$8 is definitely not as ideal as a HK$10 fee... But of course, it's most important that residents will use the route. "Otherwise, it's not worth it to simply charge tolls to the point where residents will not use the route." If lawmakers approve the proposal, the government plans to charge road users in the middle of next year, when the entire route is scheduled to be completed. Officials also plan to raise tolls at Aberdeen and Shing Mun tunnels from HK$5 to HK$8, citing the fact that the fees have not been increased in 34 years. The new charges for the two existing tunnels could take effect within a month upon approval by the legislature. Separately, the government said time-varying tolls implemented in late 2023 at the city's three harbour crossings would remain unchanged for now amid further monitoring of the situation. Since the tolls shake-up at the tunnels, traffic flows at Western Harbour Crossing have increased by 19 percent to around 104,000 vehicles per day, according to official figures. To handle the increased traffic load, transport authorities plan to construct an additional lane at the tunnel's exit on the Hong Kong Island side. The work is to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cathay Pacific, HK Express surpass 100 global passenger destinations, investing over HKD100B in upgrades
Cathay Group hits 100 passenger destinations milestone Cathay Pacific and HK Express have collectively achieved a milestone of 100 global passenger destinations , according to the Cathay Group. The announcement was made during a cocktail reception at Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong, celebrating the network expansion reached earlier than expected. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, noted that this achievement reinforces Hong Kong's status as a global aviation hub. 'As Cathay hits the magic 100, so too does Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong as an international aviation hub reach unprecedented heights,' she said. Also read: World's safest airlines for 2025 The growth is supported by the implementation of the Three-Runway System , commissioned in late 2024, which has enabled a significant rise in passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport. Live Events Cathay Pacific Chairman Patrick Healy stated that the group has expanded rapidly in the past two years, adding 30 new destinations, 18 of which were introduced in 2025. 'That rate of network expansion is at an unprecedented level for Cathay, and that has allowed it to reach this milestone of 100 destinations ahead of schedule,' Healy said. Cathay invests HKD100 billion in fleet and services The Cathay Group is currently undertaking its largest investment initiative, valued at over HKD100 billion. This program covers upgrades to its fleet, cabin interiors, airport lounges, and digital platforms. Healy emphasized the importance of this investment in aligning with the infrastructure improvements at Hong Kong International Airport. 'Cathay has to continue to invest and it is important that it takes full advantage of the new Three-Runway System,' Healy said during the event. The investment supports Cathay's long-term strategic goal of maintaining its competitiveness and enhancing passenger experience as it grows its global footprint. The current expansion is one of the most rapid in the airline's nearly 80-year history. Also read: Cathay Pacific places order for 100 new aircraft, deliveries commence this year: Official Cathay Pacific ( closed down 0.971 per cent in recent trading. The airline recorded a short-selling volume of HKD52.32 million, with a short-selling ratio of 34.825 per cent as of June 13, 2025. Cathay Pacific's continued network and service expansion reflects broader momentum in Hong Kong's aviation industry, as passenger and cargo movements rise in tandem with infrastructure development.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong passes bill to launch electronic driving licences in September
Hong Kong will introduce electronic driving licences in mid-September following the passage of a bill by the legislature, but lawmakers have questioned the need to spend HK$12.5 million (US$1.59 million) to fund a related mobile application. Some legislators also urged authorities to take a flexible approach to enforcement, especially in cases in which drivers had trouble displaying their documents on smartphones, thereby giving them time to adapt to the new system. The legislative amendment, passed by lawmakers on Thursday, allows authorities to implement an electronic licence system in which motorists can display or access their documents through a new smartphone application. Motorists will still be able to use their existing paper licences. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said that the new measure would come into effect in mid-September. 'With the tight timing, the Transport Department will conduct extensive promotion to the public, especially for driving licence holders,' she said. While most lawmakers supported the measure, many questioned the need for another mobile application to display licences, pointing to the government's numerous existing transport-related apps.
South China Morning Post
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong shouldn't let lack of space hold up Guangdong driver scheme: minister
Hong Kong should not be held back by a lack of land or parking spaces in pushing ahead with a plan to let Guangdong province residents drive to the city , the transport minister has said, as she reiterated that the scheme would be rolled out with strict controls. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told lawmakers on Wednesday that the government was working with mainland Chinese authorities to implement the scheme and had ruled out the need to establish separate restricted zones or roads for the vehicles. 'Preparations also include evaluating traffic and road capacity at border crossings to manage vehicle flow and avoid peak congestion, as well as strengthening immigration procedures, transport infrastructure and contingency plans,' she said. The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme has been the subject of discussion for years and was originally expected to start at the end of 2024 or early this year. Chan said authorities would develop strict risk protocols such as requiring vehicles arriving in Hong Kong to comply with safety regulations and be covered by third-party insurance. The government would also prepare clear information on application procedures, driving rules and available amenities to provide convenience while maintaining strict controls, she noted.
RTHK
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- RTHK
AI to help tackle illegal occupation of parking spaces
AI to help tackle illegal occupation of parking spaces The government says it will use technology to improve the management of parking spaces. File photo: RTHK Transport minister Mable Chan on Wednesday said the government will use artificial intelligence to help tackle the illegal occupation of parking spaces. She told lawmakers that a two-month trial by the end of the year will involve using AI image sensors on parking meters at spaces considered to be blackspots for occupation problems. The minister said the sensors will help the authorities manage the parking spaces better. Financial services lawmaker Robert Lee asked whether the government could follow the mainland's example in installing surveillance cameras to see who is occupying spaces. Chan said transport officials and the police will look at whether cameras could be installed. "In mainland cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, they have installed CCTV cameras above street parking meters. That helps with identifying licence plates," the minister said. "If we were to install cameras, we would have to look into the benefits and effectiveness of doing so." Chan said the government is also open to increasing fines for those repeatedly caught occupying parking spaces illegally. The minister also said that 15,000 new public and private parking spaces have been created in the past three years. Another 12,000 to be introduced in the next couple of years will bring the total across the city to more than 870,000, she said.
