Of all the measures proposed to reduce roadside air pollution, a ban on idling engines is the easiest and cheapest to achieve. It also has community support. But two years after a public consultation backed it, we are yet to see the promised legislation. The objections of the transport industry, particularly taxi and minibus drivers, have so far prevailed over public health and environmental protection.
It is another example of a government without a popular mandate allowing interest groups to exercise disproportionate influence, whatever the public might think. In this case the government has gone the extra mile in response to the industry's concerns by funding research into on-board systems that maintain air conditioning while engines are turned off. The Innovation and Technology Commission received HK$2.5 million two years ago for a study that found taxis would need two extra batteries costing HK$2,000 and engine modifications for just 20 minutes of air conditioning. Now the Productivity Council has received HK$3 million to look into a different power system and a separate air-conditioning system.
Let's hope the council finds something more practical. After all, some of the industry's worries are legitimate. The inside of a stationary taxi or minibus without air conditioning during hot weather cannot be a good environment for the driver. Any innovative approach to this problem is praiseworthy and we hope it results in a breakthrough. But it is no reason the community should wait any longer for a ban on idling engines - a public health measure that has such strong support. The proposed ban has already been watered down absurdly with contrived rules that will make enforcement and the threat of a HK$320 fine less effective.
The government deserves credit for an improvement in pollution at rooftop level. But it has not got any better at the roadside, and vehicles are the second-largest source of air pollution after power generation. Instead of dragging its feet, the government should stand up to the industry and say a law banning idling is needed now in the interests of public health and protecting the environment.
