1999-2008
In 2008, it accounted for 6.0%
of the Gross Domestic Product at current factor cost. With the progress in
social and economic developments in Hong Kong and the busy trading and tourism
activities, the transport sector continues to play a significant role in our
economy. 2008 was a very tough year for the transport sector, with increasing
oil prices in the first half of the year followed by the financial tsunami and
the ensuing weakening demand for travel and cargo services in the second half.
In 2008, the transport sector accounted for 6.0% of the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) at current factor cost, as compared with 7.0% in
1999.
During 1999 to 2008, the number of persons engaged in the land passenger
transport industry decreased slightly at an average annual rate of 0.2%. Over
the period, the business receipts and value added of the industry increased by
2.7% and 0.9% per annum on average respectively. A total of 14 100
establishments were operating in the industry in 2008, registering an average
annual rate of decrease of 2.6% between 1999 and 2008. (Table 1)
·
Public land transport is the most
popular mode of transport in Hong Kong. In 2009, about 11.2 million
passenger journeys a day were served.
·
Compared with 1999, the
average daily public transport patronage increased by around 1 million in 2009,
or at an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. (Table 1 and Chart 1)
·
The public transport patronage
increased steadily between 1999 and 2002. In 2003, the average daily patronage
decreased by 3.8% owing to the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome, but it bounced back by 5.6% in 2004 and remained a steady growth
until 2007. (Table 1 and Chart 1)
·
In 2008, the public transport
patronage started to fall slightly and there was a year-on-year decrease of
0.6% in 2009. The drop in patronage could be partly contributed by the merger
of the operations of MTR and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) taken
place in end 2007 and the introduction of new rail stations in recent years.
After the merger, a passenger making railway interchanges at Kowloon Tong,
Mei Foo, Nam Cheong, Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui
Stations is counted once in MTR rather than counted separately in MTR and KCRC passenger
journeys. New rail stations enable some rail
passengers to arrive at their destinations without changing to other transport
modes. This may reduce the overall patronage figures. (Table 1 and Chart 1)
In 2009, analysed by major mode of transport, railways
was the most popular mode of public land transport, with their average daily
passenger journeys reaching around 4.3 million. (Table 2)
