Lawmakers slam ‘unnecessary’ HK$2 million driverless car that can carry 11 people around the West Kowloon Cultural District

French-designed and manufactured self-driving vehicle expected to carry up to 11 passengers at capped speed of 15km/h around 40-hectare site in future – if approved by Transport Department

Reading Time:2 minutes

The vehicle was designed and built in France. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:09pm, 6 Jul 2017Updated: 11:47pm, 6 Jul 2017

The operator of Hong Kong’s multibillion dollar arts and culture hub in West Kowloon has bought a HK$2 million autonomous car and proposes buying more as its official ground transportation vehicle, but lawmakers have criticised the idea as “unnecessary” and “expensive”.

The French-designed and manufactured self-driving vehicle is expected to carry up to 11 passengers at a capped speed of 15km/h around the 40-hectare site in future – if it is approved by the Transport Department and passes road tests.

The car can carry up to 11 passengers and goes as fast as 15km per hour. Photo: Handout

The announcement came hot on the heels of Tuesday’s news that the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority removed a hurdle at the Legislative Council to seek an extra HK$3.6 billion to build part of an integrated basement, bringing the arts hub’s estimated total price tag to more than HK$63 billion.

Authority CEO Duncan Pescod said all the district’s normal vehicular traffic would be directed underground in the future.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x