CEDD studying light rail link to Tai O

The government is exploring the feasibility of building a light rail to Tai O, part of a wider study into Lantau transport networks.

Development Secretary Michael Wong told reporters yesterday that CEDD had hired a consultant to review Lantau’s internal transport links and its connections to the rest of Hong Kong.

He said the consultant was examining the potential for a light rail along the coastal route from Tung Chung to Tai O.

The seaside village currently has just a single road connection, parts of which are barely wide enough for buses to pass. The journey to Tung Chung takes 45 minutes.

Local rural leaders have repeatedly called for an upgrade of the existing road and for a direct road connection to Tung Chung. The coastal road has been rejected on environmental and heritage grounds.

 

MTR light rail, Tuen Mun (Wiki Commons)

Transport panel chairman and former Kowloon-Canton Railway chairman Michael Tien last year proposed the idea of a light rail around Tung Chung, the airport and the Macau bridge, arguing it would take just 15 minutes to make the trip.

He told Sing Tao newspaper that in principle he supported extending it to Tai O but was wary of the cost, estimating that his original proposal would cost HK$15 billion.

He said because the light rail runs on overhead lines it has a light environmental footprint.

Wong did not elaborate on what other changes the government would make to Lantau’s transport connections. He said the consultancy would complete its study in 2019.

Photo (top): Sha Lo Wan on Lantau’s north coast

After warning of service cuts, New Lantao Bus posts loss

It may surprise Lantau commuters struggling to get a ride, but New Lantao Bus (NLB) has just posted a loss.

Even more counter-intuitive, it warned earlier this year that it would “rationalise” some of its loss-making South Lantau services.

That it has not done so may be because of a recent piece of good news: it successfully tendered for two new routes between Tung Chung and the HK-Macau bridge.

Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, NLB’s parent, has just reported a HK$3.6 million loss in its Lantau operations for the first six months, despite an 8% rise in revenue to HK$85.5 million.

In the same period last year NLB, Lantau’s sole bus operator, achieved sales of HK$78.9 million, yielding a profit of HK$2.8 million.

Kwoon Chung attributed the result to a “significant rise in operating costs, including but not limited to fuel, wages, insurance and repair and maintenance.”

The company doesn’t break down the results further.

But it says this year, as in previous years, NLB’s most profitable segments are the Tung Chung routes, such as the Yat Tung shuttle, and its services to Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long and Shenzhen Bay.

The 2016-17 annual report said these were “still profitable” but:

A large majority of other bus routes are at losses or just break even. In order to maintain its service standards, NLB shall work closely with the Transport Department and the local community to rationalise some of these loss making routes.

Since that was issued in July the company has not cut any services, and Kwoon Chung says the newly-awarded routes to the HZM Bridge would bring “stable and reasonable profits.”

Perhaps the warning was a genuine heads-up to shareholder, or perhaps it was a not-so subtle signal to transport officials.

Lantau News has sought responses from NLB and the Transport Department.

NLB, which runs 124 buses on 23 routes, is a small part of the Kwoon Chung group.

The parent company recorded a 47% slide in profit for the period. Total revenue was $1.16 billion.

After weekend of bad air, fresh winds forecast to lift Tung Chung haze

After a weekend of bad air, relief for Tung Chung residents may come as early as tonight with the arrival of fresh east or northeasterly winds.

For almost all of the weekend PM2.5 concentrations in Tung Chung and across the city were recorded at the ‘unhealthy’ level by the ACQI air quality index.  At that level active everyone, “especially children, should limit outdoor exertion,” ACQI advises.

The Environment Protection Department Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which has a different methodology, registered slightly lower readings, but still recorded Tung Chung in the ‘high’ zone for much of the weekend.

It warns of “moderate to very high” health risks this afternoon.

A government health warning issued Sunday afternoon explained:

However, the Hong Kong Observatory forecasts moderate east to northeasterly winds, “fresh tonight,” and bringing “one or two rain patches over the coast of Guangdong.”

But it adds that until then pollution levels will remain higher than normal.

At 2pm today Tung Chung’s air rated ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ on the ACQI chart.

 

From ceramics to soaps, more Lantau Christmas gifts*

More Lantau creations to fill your Christmas stockings.

Straight from the kiln

If you’re looking for beautiful handmade gifts, local artist Fatima Morrissey has some stunning ceramics.

Decorated with wood block print and blue underglaze and finished with clear glaze, these cylinders (above) can be used as cup or as a vase. Price: HK$220

These customisable four-piece sets (above and below) are made to order. This set (above) uses batik woodblocks: Price for set of four: HK$980

Handpainted magnolia set with graffito decoration. Price: HK$1180

How to buy: Ready-made items can be purchased at The Village Bakery or directly from Fatima. littleegretstudio@gmail.com or phone/Whatsapp 66806763 NB: Made to order can take up to three weeks to complete.

Cotton on to a cause

A social startup, Stitch Up, founded by HKU Social Venture Management students, is selling upcycled pieces of fabric.

They take unwanted scraps of fabric from the textile industry or hotels and turn them into reusable bags that are a cheap alternative to plastic. According to team member Kathryn Davies:

Our bags are useful for single-item produce, general shopping bags, personal and electronic items, as well as storage and organization. We’ve got a range of bags in red and green — perfect for wrapping Christmas presents in an eco-friendly way! 

The ultimate aim is to help underprivileged people by providing employment opportunities while helping the environment.

The bags are priced from HK$20-HK$150.

How to buy: Phone/WhatsApp Kathryn on 9549-1462 or email StitchUpX@gmail.com

Handmade soaps

Mui Wo-based Rebecca Chan produces around 20 different types of soap, gift sets and special orders.

She uses cold process to make her environmentally-friendly soaps. All are made with natural ingredients, with different formulas for different skin types.

Prices range fom $50-$250.

How to buy: Imprint Bookshop, Mui Wo or order from rebeccahandmadesoaps@gmail.com

Horny T-shirts

 

You can buy a ‘Keep Lantau Horny’ T-shirt from the Lantau Buffalo Association for just HK$120 (usually HK$150). It’s a well-made shirt that will last years.

LBA is also selling this greeting card featuring the prize-winning buffalo portrait by Natasha Ramsey. Price: HK$50

How to buy: Contact lantaubovine@gmail.com

On the buses

The NLB buses may not enjoy the iconic status as our buffalo, but they are a ubiquitous local symbol.

You can buy a model version from Kwoon Chung Motors. You can see the full range here.

How to buy: Contact marketing@kcm.com.hk

Prices: Around HK$260

 

  • Part 2:  Click here for Part 1:

High-speed ferries a threat to South Lantau dolphins, warns WWF

WWF-Hong Kong has called for the government to reduce the impact of high-speed ferries on the endangered dolphin population off South Lantau.

It says the AFCD should consider rerouting ferries away from dolphin habitats or set up a speed restriction zone in the South Lantau waters as part of a holistic plan to reduce the effect of marine traffic.

The conservation group has just completed a 12-month underwater sound survey off southwest Lantau that found Chinese white dolphins and finless porpoises have altered their foraging patterns to avoid marine vessels.

Just 47 dolphins remain in Hong Kong waters, a result of continuous construction on the north side of Lantau and the heavy traffic on the southern side.

Dozens of ferries between Hong Kong and Macau pass through the channel between South Lantau, Cheung Chau and the Soko Islands every day, impacting on dolphins directly and on their food sources.

“Fast moving boats and ferries can inhibit their ability to locate food and increase stress levels,” said Dr Matthew Pine, a marine scientist and underwater noise specialist.

He says the survey found fewer dolphins were detected off Fan Lau between 3am-7am, suggesting they were being limited in their movement during the heavily-trafficked periods during the day.

They were using the quiet period in the early morning to cross to the Soko Islands, a key foraging habitat. Pine added:

“Ship strikes are a great risk for the mammals since we see them travelling across the ferry channel to forage around the Soko Islands, including at night when there’s no chance of ferries seeing them. Chronic exposure to high noise levels from vessels can cause desensitisation to vessel presence and inhibit communication between the animals, which may be a factor in a potential strike.”

Samantha Lee, WWF-Hong Kong’s conservation manager for oceans, says the AFCD, the marine sector and experts needed to work together to identify measures that would lower the impact of ferries on dolphins and safeguard their habitats.

“The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department must develop a holistic fisheries management and enforcement plan to facilitate the recovery of fisheries resources for the dolphins to prey on inside the marine park. With more to eat and a haven away from high-speed vessels, the Chinese white dolphin population can begin to recover.”

The government has proposed combining two marine parks off South Lantau to create the territory’s largest marine sanctuary as an offset to the arrival of the Shek Kwu Chau incinerator, which will add further to marine traffic density in South Lantau waters.

WWF is holding a public seminar at HKPC Building, Kowloong Tong, 11am today.

Your Lantau Christmas Gift Guide*

If you’re dreaming of a Lantau Christmas, here’s a guide to locally-created products to fill your stockings.

Lantau designs

Lantau Ren has a selection of playful, beautifully-made products that resonate for Lantau residents. If you haven’t experienced them already, you should.

Lantau Ren founder Shirley offers the choice of Son of a beach T-shirts (HK$150), hand and bath towels (HK$260 and $480), canvas bags (HK$95-$125) and – her own creation – clankets (from HK$210).

Shirley also makes jewellery and clutches sold exclusively at Four Seasons Hotel and online.

But hurry! Lantau News readers are eligible for a 25% discount between now and Monday (December 11). Discount code: LANTAUNEWSXMAS17.

How to buy: All items can be bought through the Lantau Ren website.

Hot and saucy

The Gallery at Tong Fuk has bottled its fabulous hot sauces in two flavours – jalapeno and habanero.

It’s celebrating these sauces with a range of cool T-shirts, made out of top-grade cotton from Gildan, in strawberry red and charcoal grey.

The sauces sell for HK$65 a bottle and the T-shirts HK$200 each.

For those who want to go the whole spice, the sauces sell for a wholesale price of $33 per bottle for a pack of 24 (minimum order 2 packs).

How to buy: Phone 29802582 or Whatsapp 91315388

Gardening guide

For local gardeners learning to cope with Lantau’s unique conditions, the South Lantau Garden Group (aka SLUGS) has come up with a harvesting and planting guide.

Co-designed by SLUGS founder Sally Bunker and Susan Mertens, it’s priced at HK$65.

SLUGS is also selling Christmas and greetings cards at HK$10 each or HK$50 a set.

How to buy: Available from the Imprint Bookshop, Lantau Base Camp and Garden Plus, or Whatsapp 96644368

Green reading for kids

If you’re looking for something distinctive for young children why not introduce them to Gavin Coates’ vivid environmental tales?

The local author’s books include Earthy Love (for infants – HK$99), The Last Nut, (5-10 year-olds – HK$129) and Pinky the Dolphin and the Power That May Be (5-10 year-olds HK$149).

How to buy: All are available through the Earthy Store or WhatsApp Gavin at 96713057

Colourful Hong Kong

For slightly older readers, Hong Kong Movers and Shakers brings to life a colourful cast of characters from the pen of another Lantau-based writer, Jane Houng.

Just released, it brings to life the likes of colonial administrator Sir Mattew Nathan, who moved mountains to build Nathan Road, Cantonese opera singer Sun Ma Sze-tsang, who brought his audience to tears, and the legendary kung-fu artist Bruce Lee.

How to buy: HK$65 from Commercial Press bookshop in Tung Chung or any of its other 20 branches or online.

* Part 1. More gift ideas in Part 2 tomorrow

Photo (top): Cable car hand towels from Lantau Ren

Land task force chief urges caution on country park development

The chairman of the land supply task force has warned on the need to “proceed with caution” in building homes in country parks.

Speaking after the task force’s latest meeting, Stanley Wong said the idea needs to meet higher thresholds than existing statutory requirements, RTHK reported.

He said the government “had not formed a view on whether or how to develop country parks” and would “leave it to the public engagement” to see the level of support.

However, despite Wong’s careful words, the task force has already mapped out the process in which country parks can be turned into housing:

Source: Task Force on Land Supply

The previous Chief Executive, CY Leung, asked a non-profit developer, the Housing Society, to evaluate two possible park locations as possible sites for housing development. The Housing Society expects to make a preliminary report as early as Q2 2019.

After the meeting, Wong accepted a petition from 14 local green groups, including Greenpeace, Designing Hong Kong, Trailwatch and LBA.

They said in a statement that the Country Parks Ordinance forbids development in the city’s parks, and called on the government to re-examine the use of idle land, brownfields land and land used by golf and other private clubs to meet housing needs.

One clear decision the task force seems to made is to have rejected a proposal to fill in Plover Cove Reservoir for housing.

A paper submitted to the group  pointed out that as the site was “located at an area of relatively high ecological and conservation value and away from major transport infrastructures, it did not conform with” the city’s planning framework.

Photo: Stanley Wong meets green group representatives (Greenpeace Hong Kong)

Two new bus routes to link Tung Chung and airport

With the opening of the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Tung Chung residents are to get two new bus routes to the airport.

The service, due to start when the bridge opens, will eventually run 24 hours a day, HK01 reports.

New Lantao Bus (NLB) and Citybus have won the tenders to provide service on three new routes between the new border crossing and North Lantau,

NLB will carry passengers on two routes from the new Tung Chung West housing development, through Tung Chung and then to the airport and new border crossing.

Citybus will run between the border and Sunny Bay.

The Tung Chung route will take about 10 minutes, with two to three stops, according to Transport Dept advice to NLB.  Fares are yet to be determined.

The company expects it will need 11 to 12 buses to operate on the two routes. In future, it will need to hire an additional 30 drivers to provide a 24-hour service.

Officially, the bridge is still due to open by the end of 2017, but because of a series of delays appears likely to open for traffic some time in 2018.

Geminids meteor shower to shoot across Hong Kong sky from tonight

South Lantau will be one of the best places in Hong Kong for watching the spectacular Geminid meteor showers this month.

It is the biggest meteor shower of the year, with as many as 120 meteors zipping across the sky every hour from today until December 14.

The best time to watch will be between midnight and 5am, with the shower peakig on December 13-14.

According to Space.com:

The Geminids are considered one of the best meteor showers every year because the individual meteors are bright, and the peak can see meteors stream across the sky at rates as high as 120 meteors an hour.

Hong Kong University astronomer So Chu-wing says that in a location with minimal light pollutionsuch as South Lantau or Sai Kung, stargazers will able to see 20 to 30 meteors every hour, according to The Standard.

For more information about meteor showers, the HKU Physics Department has created this page.

Photo: Geminid meteor shower, Iran (Source: Amir Shahcheraghian, Creative Commons)

 

Injured driver trapped after vehicle mounts Tung Chung footpath

The driver of a seven-seater vehicle was taken to hospital after the car mounted the footpath near the Tung Chung Fire Station and overturned.

The accident, on Shun Tung Rd at 2pm, trapped the driver inside the vehicle.

After being freed by fire services and ambulance staff, the driver was sent to North Lantau Hospital for treatment.