Untitled - Civic Exchange

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG: DIRECTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The higher capital costs and longer capital life of electric trolley bus systems suggest that these systems
should not be managed in the same way as diesel buses. A longer franchise period than is common for
diesel buses would be appropriate. 147 In addition, higher capital costs mean that the route's financial
viability is highly sensitive to the level of competition, since high fixed costs make load factors even more
important. In our view, these considerations are not valid arguments for precluding electric trolley buses in
areas where improvements in air quality and noise levels are badly needed. 148 Nonetheless, an electric
trolley bus system must be managed somewhat differently from a diesel bus system.
Another potential concern with regard to tethered electric vehicles is visual intrusion from overhead wires.
While there are a variety of designs for poles and cables to fit into specific cityscapes, 149 Hong Kong's
narrow streets and overhanging signs present a unique challenge. Yet the very clutter of the Hong Kong
street scene may make the overhead lines less visible than in less dense cities. There seems to be no public
outcry about the overhead wires associated with Hong Kong's current tram system. Would a small increase
in overhead clutter be an acceptable price to pay for cleaner air along Hong Kong's streets
• The future of trolley buses
In the spring of 2001, Citybus Hong Kong Ltd. set up a trial in Hong Kong with a short off-street track to
test power consumption on the world's first double-decker, air-conditioned electric trolley bus. Initial
results are encouraging and side-by-side vehicle performance tests with a comparable diesel bus are also
being carried out. Interestingly, the Transport Department's feasibility study casually dismisses the value
of such a trial. 150 Nonetheless, Citybus hopes to obtain approval from the Transport Department to conduct
a commercial and technical demonstration. 151
Unlike other clean technologies, such as fuel cell, electric battery, or hybrid vehicles, electric trolley buses
and modern trams are already available and commercially viable. While we look forward to the day when
free-wheeling buses with zero local emissions are used on Hong Kong roads, the fact is that such vehicles
are not commercial today and it is unclear when they will become available. Electric trolley buses and
trams may offer the only realistic solution for attaining acceptable levels of air quality and noise in some
of Hong Kong's pollution black spots any time soon.
5.2 Private vehicles and goods vehicles
Private vehicles
While only about one in six Hong Kong families owns a car, the number of private cars continues to grow,
contributing to congestion and local air pollution. Private vehicle ownership is expected to increase about
50% by 2016, while peak period road speeds are projected to drop to as low as 14 km per hour. 152 In a
147 John Blay (2002).
148 However, we do suspect that the need to change financing mechanisms may explain (at least in part) the
negative attitude of the Transport Department with regard to Citybus interest in introducing trolley buses in Hong
Kong.
149 Wong Hong Chung (1999), Potential and Limitations for Trolley Bus Transport in Hong Kong.
150 Transport Department (2001), Feasibility Study on Introducing a Trolleybus System in Hong Kong, Executive
Summary, Hong Kong: HKSAR Government, section 6.2.
151 John Blay (2002).
152
CTS3 projects the number of private vehicles will increase faster than population, with about 1 in every 5.5
families owning a car in 2016, compared to 1 in 6 in 1997. Transport Department (1999), Third Comprehensive
Transport Study: Final Report and Technical Report.
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