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Hong Kong
OpinionComment
Winnie Tang
Winnie Tang

Opinion | Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis must prioritise green public transport over private cars

  • Public transport use has fallen in Hong Kong, while the number of private cars on our roads has increased, fuelling congestion and pollution
  • With plans for a Northern Metropolis under way, developers must seize the opportunity to put pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users first

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Ma Tso Lung, near the mainland border, is the site of Hong Kong’s planned Northern Metropolis. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Winnie Tang
The Northern Metropolis, a planned development near the mainland border, is not only key to integrating Hong Kong into the Greater Bay Area, but an ideal place to implement sustainable low-carbon living, focusing in particular on transport.
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In recent years, the number of private cars in the city has been growing, while passenger traffic volume on public transport has declined. Over the past 10 years, the number of licensed private cars has increased by 40 per cent.

By contrast, government data shows that public transport use has been decreasing since 2019, even with the opening of the Tuen Ma MTR line during this period. In fact, rail journeys in 2020 accounted for a smaller portion of all public transport use compared to 2018.

The increase in private cars has not only exacerbated traffic congestion, but also affected air quality. Private cars are responsible for 41 per cent of global carbon emissions from transport; reducing numbers on the road is therefore a pressing issue.

In recent years, many cities have seen a similar downward trend in public transport use. According to data from the American Public Transportation Association, ridership has been decreasing every year since 2014, despite continued population growth in the United States over the past 10 years.

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