Chief Executive John Lee announced Hong Kong's first five-year plan and delivered the 2026 Policy Address today (Sept. 16). On transport infrastructure, Lee said the Central Kowloon Route (Kowloon Bay section) will be completed within this year, marking the full opening of the entire Route 6 (including the Central Kowloon Route and the Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel). Travel time between Tseung Kwan O and Yau Ma Tei during peak hours is expected to be slashed from about 65 minutes before Route 6 opened to about 12 minutes.
Lee mentioned that the development targets for the Smart and Green Mass Transit System projects are:
(i) Award the Kai Tak project within this year, with completion in 2031.
(ii) Award the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area project next year, with the first phase completed in 2031.
(iii) Award the East Kowloon project next year, with completion by 2033 or earlier.
On the regulatory regime for ride-hailing services, Lee said the current-term government has successfully introduced a regulatory framework. With most of the relevant legal provisions taking effect on Aug. 3 this year, the government is openly inviting platforms to apply for ride-hailing service licences, and will begin issuing permits to drivers and vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year, providing compliant and safe ride-hailing services for the public. The Transport Department is building a ride-hailing data management system at full speed to monitor platform compliance and fully safeguard data security. The government will also monitor market developments and collect data to conduct dynamic supply-and-demand assessments in future, comprehensively enhancing personalised point-to-point transport services.
Related News:
HK's first five-year plan | John Lee: Focus on youth development
Comment