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Stubbs Road congestion can be eased
I have lived in Hong Kong for five years, around the area of The Peak and Mid-Levels.  I have to drive up Stubbs Road at least twice a day. 
Five years ago this was a fairly pleasant journey; you would encounter the occasional tour bus.  
 Now  when I drive  I am always trapped behind many of these large, petrol guzzlers that are incredibly slow. And  the drivers seem to think they are on a straight road.
Anyone who has driven there would probably agree that it  has more bends that any road in Hong Kong.
Double lines are found along almost  its entire length, but  as these incompetent bus drivers can't tell the difference between a single and a double line, or even no line at all, they find themselves constantly on the incorrect side of the road and this is a hazard for all road users.  I have lost count of the number of times one of their side mirrors has nearly swiped the side of my car.
These buses are usually occupied by mainland tourists who are understandably very excited to see the sparkling lights of our city. 
That means  every  tour bus must  make a pit stop on the way down  at a little tourist viewing point, which was clearly designed to fit a maximum two tour buses at a time. But they all line up to wait for their parking spot and this holds up all the traffic behind them.  And when  a police officer tells the driver to move on, then we find that  they don't appear to know how to reverse  or pass each other.
There is only one solution to this problem. The number of tour buses allowed on Stubbs Road must be regulated.  Otherwise Peak residents will continue to face a lengthy commute.
Isabella Strapp, Mid-Levels      
Better education a crucial factor
I refer to the letter by Karen Tsoi ('How to solve workforce shortage', February 19). I agree that the government should try to rectify this problem.
 According a study by 2018 'Hong Kong's workforce will be too small to power its economic growth' ('Wanted: more workers by 2018', February 10).  The predicted shortfall is 14,000. 
I think the biggest problem we will face with the structure of our future labour force is that there will be too many people who are poorly educated and not enough indviduals with the necessary qualifications. 
This could lead to Hong Kong having high levels of unemployment.  
 To raise the birth rate the government could introduce tax incentives targeting young couples so that they are encouraged to start a family. This would also help people on low incomes who might feel they could not afford a child.  
 To solve the imbalance in the workforce, the government has to take measures that ensure we have more people with the relevant professional qualifications.  
It must increase subsidies to students, for such things as textbooks, exam fees and travel allowances. 
Some students from low-income families often have difficulties continuing with their studies. 
If they have ability they must be given the help needed to further their studies.  
 Also, the number of university places must be increased so that more graduates join our workforce.  
 Hong Kong can continue to move towards a knowledge-based economy.
Suki Tong Shuk-wun Tseung Kwan O
Subsidies to raise skill levels
Hong Kong faces workforce shortfall of 14,000 in  six years. 
 The government can combat this problem by offering more subsidies and raising the retirement age. But this problem is not the same at all levels of the workforce. 
The main shortfall will be at the senior secondary school and associate degree level.  
 This is something that requires immediate action rather than the adoption of policies in six years. 
It is all very well talk about raising the birth rate, but we do not have time to wait for these babies to grow up to working age. Therefore, we need to look at raising education levels now.  
The government must provide employees of firms with more opportunities to pursue further education, especially for workers who have completed junior secondary level and would like to do more advanced courses. They could establish a scheme and encourage firms to join it.
 This could help us deal with shortage of skilled workers who have completed their senior secondary school studies.  
Tracy Chan, Tseung Kwan O
Gender imbalance is serious
Hong Kong's population is increasing at too slow pace. According to the Census and Statistics Department  there is a 'serious imbalance between men and women: there are 1,000 women for every 876 men' ('Rapidly greying HK needs new policies, experts say', February 22). 
Also many men and women of 'prime marriageable age' have not married.  
 If this gender imbalance is not solved then fewer women will have children. Also there are insufficient medical services to cope with the needs of the growing number of elderly people.  
 The government must try harder to encourage more young couples to start a family. Also it has to improve medical services for the elderly.  
Jacky Wong, Sham Tseng
Unimpressed by Ma Wan bus changes
Well over two months ago I complained to the Transport Department about its approval of what the Park Island Transport Company Limited claimed was an improvement in its services to the residents of Park Island and the residents of Ma Wan village.  
 Is reducing seating capacity by 10 an improvement and increasing standing capacity to 44 a step towards improving safety?  
Also passengers are reluctant to heed the pleas of the drivers 'to move inside please'.  
 Earlier this month I had to board one of the buses or wait  for another 30 minutes thanks to this  supposedly better service. 
On boarding  I saw that the only seat available was a fold-down one about 35 to 40cm from the floor. 
I felt distinctly uncomfortable and unsafe. 
Let me thank the Transport Department and the bus company for making my journey different and very unenjoyable. 
Bob Beadman, Ma Wan
No need for more ugly monstrosities
Jake van der Kamp's column ('Support our local exporters? But we've exported 'em all', February 12) puts everything into perspective.
 A must read every Sunday, he always hits the nail on the head, especially regarding the Trade Development Council and its persistance in building yet another 'empty shell' on the harbourfront. We already have Cyberport why do we need to bombard our beautiful harbour with more ugly monstrosities? 
 The present Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai is more than sufficient, any expansion plans should be shelved immediately and never resurrected. 
 The people of Hong Kong, need more greenery, dog parks, quiet areas, not more concrete. The quality of life here is deteriorating in front of our eyes - air and noise pollution, lack of space to  help us reduce stress.
The government must stop wasting taxpayers' money and wake up to the fact it can be better spent on more needy causes. 
Jean Afford, Causeway Bay  
Pilot scheme raises safety issues
 Having more cross-border cars will worsen our pollution problems.  Even with a limited number from the mainland we will see an increase in the overall number of vehicles here.  
 From a road safety point of view I am also concerned about the increased risks faced by Hong Kong motorists and pedestrians.  And if any mainland drivers are involved in accident they may try to escape back across the border.  
The government should have more public consultation over this pilot scheme.  
Angel Chan, Sha Tin
Junta's gestures still suspect
Those of us who have long admired Aung San Suu Kyi can gain from and enjoy The Lady showing in Hong Kong cinemas. Historians might quibble about some inaccurate sequences of events  in the film, but it's a great drama nevertheless featuring some very fine actors. Most noteworthy  are the Burmese  actors who made it all quite believable. 
The hope now is that the dictators running Burma will realise they cannot continue like before and will loosen their iron grip even more, since their few gestures towards freedom are still suspect. 
Renata Lopez, Wan Chai



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