Latest news with #MableChan
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's MTR Corp to carry out one-off inspection of critical rail assets
Hong Kong's rail operator will carry out a one-off inspection of all its overhead lines and signalling points, and is considering offering a free cross-harbour shuttle bus in the event of service suspensions as part of efforts to follow up on a series of recent blunders. The MTR Corporation on Friday rolled out an eight-point plan that falls under an existing HK$65 billion (US$8.3 million) five-year asset and maintenance upgrade announced in 2023. The move follows calls from Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu last month for the transport provider to improve on its 'inadequacies' in emergency response and contingency planning after three service disruptions occurred within a four-month period. In two incidents, engineering trains were stranded on a section of the East Rail line, while in another, services along the Tseung Kwan O line were suspended for five-hours last month. Transport minister Mable Chan said the government would continue to supervise and guide the MTR Corp in learning from its past failures and strengthening its risk prediction and mitigation capabilities. 'The MTR Corp must proactively address potential issues before they arise, enhance the safety of its railway systems and accelerate the application of innovative technologies to realise predictive maintenance for fortifying the overall resilience of the railway system,' she said. 'Its management should also leverage the wisdom of frontline staff and strengthen the sense of accountability among staff from different ranks.'
RTHK
5 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Bigger Terminal 2 'to boost passenger, cargo flights'
Bigger Terminal 2 'to boost passenger, cargo flights' Mable Chan says the government is actively attracting non-local and newer airlines as Hong Kong's younger generations like seeking fresh experiences. File photo: Reuters Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said newer and non-local airlines can operate in the expanded Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport, which is slated to open in March. Speaking to RTHK to mark the third year of Chief Executive John Lee's administration, Chan said the airport's capacity has been expanded after the third runway opened and that the government would like to further increase passenger and cargo volume. She said it will further expand markets, both long-haul and emerging markets. 'In recent years, travel trends have been shifting towards emerging markets, and younger generations like seeking fresh experiences,' Chan said. "Therefore, we are actively attracting some non-local and newer airlines to cater to this demand." She said some designs and facilities of Terminal 2 would cater to future development trends and that some newer non-local airlines can operate in Terminal 2. 'I hope the overall positioning of the terminal can provide a youthful, energetic and vibrant environment for citizens and travelers,' Chan said. The coach hall at Terminal 2 is set to open in September, while other facilities will commence operations in phases. Chan also said authorities would like to sign air services agreements with more places and attract more airlines to Hong Kong. The transport chief also said the toll for the Central Kowloon Route has been set at HK$10 after taking into consideration a number of factors including efficiency and maintenance costs. In regard to online ride-hailing services, Chan said the government aims to announce a regulatory framework by the end of the year.
RTHK
5 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
HK 'to expand mainland, S America cargo sources'
HK 'to expand mainland, S America cargo sources' Mable Chan says Hong Kong has fast custom clearance, high efficiency and the most cold chain charging facilities in Asia. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the government is actively exploring new cargo sources and opportunities in the mainland and South America. Speaking to RTHK to mark the third year of Chief Executive John Lee's administration, Chan said her bureau has been promoting the SAR as an aviation and logistics hub to mainland enterprises. Chan said she had visited Guangxi, Chongqing and Chengdu since she took office, as these western mainland provinces and cities connect to Central Asia and Central Europe. 'One of the key goals for us to go directly to the source of goods in the mainland is to establish new logistics channels,' she said. "This way, we can promote the services that Hong Kong can provide as an aviation and logistic hub to these mainland manufacturing bases." Although some may think it'll be more straightforward to ship from mainland ports or airports, Chan said, the SAR possesses advantages such as fast custom clearance, high efficiency and the most cold chain charging facilities in Asia. The logistics chief also said Hong Kong can act as a gateway for South America to ship goods to the mainland and vice versa, given that more transshipments have been coming and going through Hong Kong ports in recent years. Chan said transshipments from the mainland to South America through Hong Kong ports have grown by 14 percent between 2018 and last year, while goods from South America transshipped via Hong Kong to the mainland saw a significant increase of 48 percent. The South American goods, she added, were shipped to key mainland ports such as Guangxi, Zhejiang and Shanghai. 'In recent years, we have emphasised on developing the South American market," Chan said. "We are also promoting Hong Kong as 'the Gateway to South America' because of our extensive flight network and frequent services. "This allows us to achieve synergy with some airports or ports in mainland. "Even though our costs may not be the cheapest, we can stand out with our high-quality services.' Chan said her bureau will also study the possibility of using high-speed trains for cargo shipments after she had been shown a passenger train being converted in short order into a cargo train in Chongqing.
RTHK
20-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
$10 toll for Central Kowloon Route 'the best option'
$10 toll for Central Kowloon Route 'the best option' A number of lawmakers said they feel the proposed HK$10 fee for the Central Kowloon Route is too high. Photo courtesy of the Highways Department The transport chief has defended a plan to charge motorists HK$10 for using a brand-new arterial road connecting East and West Kowloon, after several lawmakers called on the government to consider adjusting the across-the-board fee. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Friday said the authorities are trying to strike a balance between striving to recover costs and ensuring public usage in coming up with a suitable toll level. The administration had considered various options for the Central Kowloon Route, including toll-free access as well as fees of HK$10 or HK$17. A 4.7-kilometre-long stretch of the route, named the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass, is expected to open this year. A number of lawmakers complained that the proposed fee level was too high, with one of them, Chau Siu-chung, raising the possibility of halving the charge to HK$5. Fellow legislator Bill Tang urged the government not to rush into charging motorists but to instead let them use the route for free initially. "How about we wait until it has been opened at the end of this year and monitor actual traffic flows before deciding on the toll?" he said. "And if the government is setting a fee level, depending on whether the community accepts it, how does HK$8 sound?" Mable Chan, in reply, said a cheaper toll fee might not be the best option. "We need to spare some capacity for when the traffic load increases," she said. "We need to be prepared. "In terms of diverting traffic and sparing capacity, charging HK$8 is definitely not as ideal as a HK$10 fee... But of course, it's most important that residents will use the route. "Otherwise, it's not worth it to simply charge tolls to the point where residents will not use the route." If lawmakers approve the proposal, the government plans to charge road users in the middle of next year, when the entire route is scheduled to be completed. Officials also plan to raise tolls at Aberdeen and Shing Mun tunnels from HK$5 to HK$8, citing the fact that the fees have not been increased in 34 years. The new charges for the two existing tunnels could take effect within a month upon approval by the legislature. Separately, the government said time-varying tolls implemented in late 2023 at the city's three harbour crossings would remain unchanged for now amid further monitoring of the situation. Since the tolls shake-up at the tunnels, traffic flows at Western Harbour Crossing have increased by 19 percent to around 104,000 vehicles per day, according to official figures. To handle the increased traffic load, transport authorities plan to construct an additional lane at the tunnel's exit on the Hong Kong Island side. The work is to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cathay Pacific, HK Express surpass 100 global passenger destinations, investing over HKD100B in upgrades
Cathay Group hits 100 passenger destinations milestone Cathay Pacific and HK Express have collectively achieved a milestone of 100 global passenger destinations , according to the Cathay Group. The announcement was made during a cocktail reception at Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong, celebrating the network expansion reached earlier than expected. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, noted that this achievement reinforces Hong Kong's status as a global aviation hub. 'As Cathay hits the magic 100, so too does Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong as an international aviation hub reach unprecedented heights,' she said. Also read: World's safest airlines for 2025 The growth is supported by the implementation of the Three-Runway System , commissioned in late 2024, which has enabled a significant rise in passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport. Live Events Cathay Pacific Chairman Patrick Healy stated that the group has expanded rapidly in the past two years, adding 30 new destinations, 18 of which were introduced in 2025. 'That rate of network expansion is at an unprecedented level for Cathay, and that has allowed it to reach this milestone of 100 destinations ahead of schedule,' Healy said. Cathay invests HKD100 billion in fleet and services The Cathay Group is currently undertaking its largest investment initiative, valued at over HKD100 billion. This program covers upgrades to its fleet, cabin interiors, airport lounges, and digital platforms. Healy emphasized the importance of this investment in aligning with the infrastructure improvements at Hong Kong International Airport. 'Cathay has to continue to invest and it is important that it takes full advantage of the new Three-Runway System,' Healy said during the event. The investment supports Cathay's long-term strategic goal of maintaining its competitiveness and enhancing passenger experience as it grows its global footprint. The current expansion is one of the most rapid in the airline's nearly 80-year history. Also read: Cathay Pacific places order for 100 new aircraft, deliveries commence this year: Official Cathay Pacific ( closed down 0.971 per cent in recent trading. The airline recorded a short-selling volume of HKD52.32 million, with a short-selling ratio of 34.825 per cent as of June 13, 2025. Cathay Pacific's continued network and service expansion reflects broader momentum in Hong Kong's aviation industry, as passenger and cargo movements rise in tandem with infrastructure development.
