Opinion | Hong Kong’s biggest traffic problem is too many private cars. So why can’t we do like Singapore and limit their numbers?
- Mike Rowse says the new Central-Wan Chai Bypass won’t solve Hong Kong’s long-term traffic issues. We need a revamp of transport policies with a focus on stricter licensing for private cars, electronic road pricing and legalising ride-hailing services
Anyone doubting this assessment would do well to look at the experience of London’s M25 orbital motorway, which was touted as the solution to the capital’s congestion issues, but now, despite repeated widening exercises, resembles a giant car park for much of the day.
We now have our new road, two years late and at a cost of HK$36 billion (US$4.6 billion) compared to an original estimate of HK$28 billion, but what have we got for our money? Essentially, private cars will now be able to move along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island a few minutes faster. Is that really good use of so much public money?
The root cause of our traffic problems is that Hong Kong is a small place with a large number of people who need to move around a lot. The shortage of land means there are limits to how much can or should be spared for transport infrastructure. Which means any sensible transport policy needs to begin with a fairly ruthless assessment of relative priorities.
Priority must be given to two categories of road user: bona fide commercial vehicles, because free movement is essential to keep the economy ticking over, and public transport for the millions who commute daily. Our mass transit railway system is among the best in the world but it needs to be backed by surface-based transport modes, both as a supplement to cope with normal volume, and as an emergency fallback in the event of disruption to rail services.