Transcript of remarks by STH

     Following is the transcript of remarks at a media session by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, after attending a radio programme this morning (October 13):

Reporter: How do you respond to criticism from these operators that it is simply not fair to them? And also another question: how would you respond to criticism saying that under this toll adjustment proposal, not all stakeholders have been publicly consulted? On another topic, there have been reports saying that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will be opened on the 27th or 28th of this month. Can you verify that? 

Secretary for Transport and Housing: In respect of the question on whether the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is going to open by the end of this month, I must say that this is a news to me (and) personally I don't have any idea when the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is going to be opened because the Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao governments are working together and are going to notify the Central People’s Government. We are waiting for the notification on when and how the bridge is going to open.

     As regards the comment on whether other public transport operators should be entitled to toll concession, I have just mentioned to the other media that this would be considered together with the congestion charges which is going to be studied by the Government in the months to come.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)