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1. New transport boss to launch a fresh study into electronic tolls

1. New transport boss to launch a fresh study into electronic tolls
ELAINE WU, SCMP 30 June 2005

The new transport commissioner plans to launch another study into the need for electronic tolls as part of measures to ease traffic congestion after the Central-Wan Chai bypass is finished.

Alan Wong Chi-kong, who took over the job on Monday, said yesterday the bypass was still key to easing congestion in the business district. But he also wants electronic road pricing (ERP) to help clear gridlock after motorists leave the bypass.

"Many people feel that electronic road pricing is a silver bullet, but it's not," he said. "We need to have both [the bypass and electronic road pricing]."

Mr Wong said the government would hire a consultant to examine new technology to better manage road usage, since the last study was conducted in 2001. Reclamation has begun in Central to make way for the bypass to ease traffic on Gloucester Road.

But it is unclear whether the bypass will be built, as the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee is still conducting a public consultant on the plans. Polytechnic University Professor Hung Wing-tat, who specialises in transportation management and engineering, welcomed the new study. "It's a good thing," he said. "The bypass alone would not solve congestion. Both should be done together."

Bill Barron, associate professor of the University of Hong Kong's Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management, said the bypass would not be necessary had the government done a better job in planning business development in the Central area and implemented other traffic measures along with electronic road pricing, like limiting goods vehicles in Central during peak hours.