For discussion EC(96-97)46
on 13 November 1996

ITEM FOR ESTABLISHMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

Head 153 - GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT :
TRANSPORT BRANCH
HEAD 60 - HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT
HEAD 186 - TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
Subhead 001 Salaries

Members are invited to recommend to Finance Committee -

  1. the redeployment of one post of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 (D4) in Transport Branch to head a new Transport Infrastructure Division for a period of five years;the existing Deputy Secretary (Transport Management) (DS(TM)) (Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1) (AOSGB1) (D4) in TB, to be redesignated as Deputy Secretary (Transport Infrastructure) (DS(TI)), to head a new Transport Infrastructure Division;
  2. the creation of the following supernumerary posts for a period of five years-

    Transport Branch

    1 Administrative Officer Staff Grade B
    (D3) ($119,650 - $126,800)

    1 Administrative Officer Staff Grade C
    (D2) ($102,900 - $109,250)

    Highways Department

    1 Chief Engineer
    (D1) ($86,650 - $91,950); and

  3. an increase in the ceiling placed on the total notional annual mid-point salary value of all non-directorate posts in the permanent establishment of the following Branch/Departments in 1996-97-of the ceilings of the notional annual salary at MID-POINT in 1996-97 as follows -

    Transport Branch
    from $20,104,000 by $4,543,920 to $24,647,920

    Highways Department
    from $477,695,000 by $1,422,540 to $479,117,540

    Transport Department

    from $332,189,000 by $2,771,370 to $334,960,370.

PROBLEM

The Transport Branch (TB), Highways Department (HyD) and Transport Department (TD) need additional staff resources for planning the implementation of the three priority railway projects recommended by the Railway Development Strategy (RDS).

PROPOSAL

2. We propose to -

  1. redeploy the existing Deputy Secretary (Transport Management) (DS(TM)) (Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1) (AOSGB1) (D4) in TBSecretary (Transport Infrastructure) for a period of five years to head a new Transport Infrastructure Division for a period of five years to undertake, among other things, the planning of the implementation of the three priority railway projects recommended by the RDS;
  2. create one supernumerary post of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B (AOSGB) (D3) in TB for a period of five years to head the Transport Management Division to take over responsibilities on transport management matters;
  3. create one supernumerary post of Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (AOSGC) (D2) for a period of five years to provide additional support to the head of the Transport Infrastructure Division on planning and implementation of the RDS;
  4. create one supernumerary post of Chief Engineer (CE) (D1) in the Railway Development Office (RDO) of Highways Department (HyD) for a period of five years to head a new Western Corridor Railway (WCR) Division; and
  5. increase the notional annual mid-point salary (NAMS) ceilings in 1996-97 of -
    1. TB from $20,104,000 by $4,543,920 to $24,647,920
    2. HyD from $477,695,000 by $1,422,540 to $479,117,540
    3. TD from $332,189,000 by $2,771,370 to $334,960,370

      to permit the creation of 22 additional non-directorate posts to provide support to the proposed directorate posts and strengthen existing manpower.

JUSTIFICATION

3. The RDS has identified three high priority projects, namely, the Railway (WCR, the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Tseung Kwan O/Quarry Bay Extension (TKE), and the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai rail link/Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) extension from Hung Hum to Tsimshatsui (MOS rail). It has also recommended to implement these projects by 2001. As presently proposed, we expect these three projects to cost over $100 billion in money of the day terms. TB, HyD and TD need additional staff resources for a period of five years until up to 2001, subject to review towards the end of this period in order to take these projects forward.

Transport Branch

4. At present, there are two Deputy Secretaries in TB. The more senior Deputy Secretary, DS(TM), is responsible for all policy matters on transport management and infrastructure, including railways, and resource management under the policy area of Transport. He is assisted by two Principal Assistant Secretaries(PASs) (AOSGC) (D2), PAS(T)4 and PAS(T)5, on transport planning and infrastructure matters, two PASs, PAS(T)3 and PAS(T)6, on transport management matters, and a Principal Executive Officer on resource management. The other Deputy Secretary, an AOSGB (D3), is responsible for policy matters on public transport services. He is assisted by two PASs and a Chief Inspecting Officer (Railway) (D1). The existing organisation chart of TB and job description of DS(TM) are at Enclosures 1 and 2 respectively.

5. Workload in respect of the planning and preparation of the three railway projects is rapidly increasing to such an extent that it is beyond the capacity of the existing establishment under DS(TM) to handle. KCRC and MTRC have submitted proposals on the WCR and the TKE respectively. We have established project steering committees, project working groups as well as number of task groups to scrutinise implications of the corporations’ proposals; to liaise closely with our consultants who are assisting us with the evaluation; and to examine and resolve interface issues. We have to introduce a Railways Bill into the Legislative Council (LegCo) to facilitate land resumption and engineering works for railway projects. We also have to steer the land resumption programme, resource requirements, and re-housing and clearance implications of the projects, in particular, the WCR.

6. For the MOS rail, we need to scrutinise a large volume of working papers produced by the engineering feasibility study. We will also be monitoring the work of the financial consultants whom we have appointed to appraise the findings of the engineering feasibility study, to assess the financial viability, and to investigate the preferred institutional arrangement for implementing the project. Later We w will have to decide later how to take the project forward and proceed with the necessary preparatory work.

7. To enhance project transparency, we will need to brief the Chinese side, and public bodies such as the Transport Panel of LegCo, the Transport Advisory Committee, District Boards and other concerned parties on a regular basis to keep them abreast of the developments of all three priority projects. We have to provide information to and eventually and eventually consult the Chinese side before making any decisions before July 1997 that will commit the future Special Administrative Region Government.

8. The Chinese authorities and Hong Kong Government formed the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee (ICC) in December 1994 to facilitate discussions on cross-border infrastructuregroup established in September 1995 Committee (ICC), which was formed in December 1994 to facilitate discussions on cross-border infrastructure between the Chinese authorities and Hong Kong Government. At its meeting in December 1995, the ICC supported the need for an additional passenger border crossing at Lok Ma Chau to relieve congestion at Lo Wu. The ICC Working Group on Lok Ma Chau Crossing, comprising members from the Shenzhen Authorities and Hong Kong Government,additional border crossing point at Lok Ma Chau to relieve congestion at Lo Wu. The group is identifying an appropriate location for the new rail passenger terminal at Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang and considering possible improvements to existing facilities to increase the passenger handling capacity at the border crossing.

9. DS(TM) is under extreme pressure to work to a very tight time schedule in order to press ahead with the planning and implementation of the three railway projects. In order not to cause delays to his other equally pressing responsibilitiescoping with his other equally high priority , we propose to create a supernumerary AOSGB (D3) post to relieve him of his responsibilities in transport management matters.related to the railway projects without causing delays to such transport management matters. The major transport management matters include the Electronic Road Pricing project, the feasibility study of which will commence in early 1997; the implementation of the recommendations of the Parking Demand Study and Freight Transport Study, including launching the "Park and Ride" trial schemes; the enactment of the Tsing Ma Control Area Bill and contracting out the management, operation and maintenance of the Tsing Ma Control Area by December 1996; the improvement of transport safety, including drink driving regulations, seat belt requirement and nanny van facilities; and the operation of territorywide bus-only lane.

10. We propose to designate the proposed supernumerary AOSGB (D3) post as DS(TM) and the head of the new Transport Infrastructure Division as Deputy Secretary (Transport Infrastructure) (DS(TI)). DS(TI) will be responsible for formulating policies and planning of all transport infrastructure, including the railway projects. He will also continue to oversee resource management under the policy area of Transport. The new DS(TM) will take over all transport management matters, and will be assisted by PAS(T)3 and PAS(T)6. The proposed duty lists for the DS(TI) and the new DS(TM) posts are at Enclosures 3 and 4.

11. At present, PAS(T)4 supports DS(TM) in the planning and implementation of the projects recommended by the RDS and in the review of the Strategy. She also services the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committeethe planning and implementation of all road transport projects, compilation and maintenance of resources under the Public Works Programme, and co-ordination and provision of input to strategic studies, including major.and district planning and traffic studies. Apart from the three priority projects, the RDS also recommends the implementation of a number of railway projects in the longer term to meet future demand and development needs. We need resources to plan and review these longer term projects, and evaluate proposals that emerge independently from the private sector or the two railways corporations. We also intend to commence Phase III of the Railway Development Study in 1997 to review the timing of the RDS recommendations and investigate the need for further extensions of the territory’s rail network. Because of the scale, coverage and complexity of the three railway projects, and the need to review the RDS, PAS(T)4 can no longer cope with the workload alone.

12. PAS(T)5 is responsible for planning and implementing all road transport projects, securing the necessary resources under the Public Works Programme for project implementation, resolving implementation problems, and co-ordinating and providing input to strategic studies, including major studies and the regional and district planning and traffic studies. Major studies requiring his co-ordination or input in the coming years include the Third Comprehensive Transport Study, the Territorial Development Strategy Review Study and the Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century, and a number of studies on high-impact projects such as the Western Coast Road (East Kowloon to Tseung Kwan O) and Central Kowloon Route. He also has to participate in a number of private sector initiatives to provide new infrastructural facilities. He is already fully occupied in his schedule of work and cannot absorb any additional workload.

13. We propose to create an additional supernumerary AOSGC post, to be designated as PAS(T)7, to take over from PAS(T)4 all matters relating to the TKE and the MOS Rail, and to administer the financial consultants on the railway projects. PAS(T)4 will henceforth handle matters relating to the WCR and the review of the RDS, and serve on the working group under the ICC. PAS(T)7 will assist DS(TI) in the detailed examination of the proposal on the TKE put forth by the MTRC, the co-ordination with the MTRC and departments concerned to address all interface issues between the TKE and other infrastructural projects, and the consultation with the public and the Chinese side. He will scrutinise the report of the engineering feasibility study of the MOS rail, and conduct public consultation of the proposed railway plan in determining feasibility of the project. He will also supervise the financial consultants on all three priority railway projects. The revised duty list of PAS(T)4 and the proposed duty list of PAS(T)7 are at Enclosures 5 and 6. We propose to create the posts of DS(TM) and PAS(T)7 for a period of five years up to 2001, subject to review towards the end of this period. The proposed redeployment of the existing DS(TM) post to head the new Transport Infrastructure Division will cease upon deletion of the proposed DS(TM) post. The proposed organisation chart of TB is at Enclosure 7.

14. fiveyears up to 2001 The proposed redeployment of the existing DS(TM) post to head the new Transport Infrastructure Division will cease upon deletion of the proposed DS(TM) post. To provide adequate support to PAS(T)4 and PAS(T)7, we need to strengthen the non-directorate staff establishment in the Transport Infrastructure Division. In addition to the existing Senior Engineer post, we will need additional posts of one Senior Administrative Officer, two Administrative Officers, one Senior Treasury Accountant, one Senior Chinese Language Officer, one Chinese Language Officer I, one Personal Secretary I, three Personal Secretary II and one Clerical Officer II. We propose to adjust the NAMS ceiling of the Branch by $4,543,920 from $20,104,000 to $24,647,920 to cater for the creation of these posts.

Highways Department

15. Under the existing structure of HyD, the RDO, headed by a Government Engineer/Railway Development (GE/RD) (D2), is responsible for all railway development matters. The RDO has two divisions, the Railway Division (RD) and the Airport Railway Division (ARD). The RD is responsible for planning and co-ordinating the implementation of the high priority railway projects and all related matters arising from the RDS. The ARD is responsible for overseeing the planning, co-ordination and commissioning of the Airport Railway. The existing organisation chart of the RDO and the job descriptions of the CE/R and CE/AR posts heading the two divisions are at Enclosures 8, 9, 10.

16. The workload of CE/R has increased tremendously as the three high priority railway projects advance. The WCR project alone has kept CE/R fully occupied. Planning and implementation of the projects involve the following tasks -

  1. examining technical reports of over 2 000 pages and follow up reports;
  2. overseeing the technical studies to be carried out in the coming months for developing the project;
  3. preparing a set of railway plans of about 80 A1 size drawings for gazetting within the coming year or so;
  4. preparing land resumption plans for 400 hectares of land;
  5. resolving numerous interfacing issues, numbering over 200 as at to date with many yet to arise; and
  6. attending to matters arising from deliberations of the LegCo Transport Panel and its WCR Sub-committee, which monitors the implementation of the project.

17. Being responsible also for planning the implementation of the other two high priority railway projects, i.e. the TKE and the MOS Rail, CE/R has to attend to the following -

  1. vetting all technical submissions from MTRC on the TKE;
  2. managing the engineering feasibility study on the MOS Rail;
  3. organising, inviting and subsequently vetting all technical submissions for the MOS Rail;
  4. drawing up the technical part of the project agreements for the two projects; and
  5. providing technical advice to Transport Branch on the two projects.

Apart from overseeing technical aspects of the railway projects, he has to assist in providing technical input to briefings and consultations with the Chinese authorities on the three projects. He also needs to attend to all other railway related matters, including the updating of the RDS.

18. The post of CE/AR, which will lapse on 31 March 1999, is fully occupied in his duties in resolving numerous interface problems with other ACP projects and major traffic diversions at the business district in Central, all of which need to be resolved during the construction stage to ensure the timely completion of the AR project. He therefore cannot take up additional responsibilities. To cope with the surge in workload, we propose to re-organise the existing RD and establish a new Western Corridor Division (WCD), to be headed by a new Chief Engineer (CE) (D1) post, designated as Chief Engineer/Western Corridor Railway (CE/WCR). We propose to create the CE post for a period of five years, subject to review thereafter. This new WCD will be responsible for all matters relating to the WCR project. The re-organised RD, to be headed by CE/R, will take care of the implementation of the other two high priority projects of the RDS, i.e. the TKE and the MOS Rail, as well as the planning of other longer term railway projects. The proposed organisation chart of the RDO, comprising the ARD, which remains intact, the re-organised RD and the new WCD is at Enclosure 11. The proposed job description of the CE/WCR post and the revised job description of the CE/R post are at Enclosures 12 and 13. On establishment of the WCD, we will redeploy two Senior Engineer and five Engineer posts in the RD to the WRD to assist in the planning and implementation of the WCR project.

19. Cand five Engineer the WCR project. In view of the complexity and volume of the tasks involved, we need to create one additional Senior Engineer post, two Technical Officer (Civil) /Technical Officer Trainee (Civil) posts, one Clerical Officer II post and one Personal Secretary II post in the WRD to provide adequate support to CE/WCR. We propose to adjust the NAMS ceiling of HyD from $477,695,000 by $1,422,540 to $479,117,540 to cater for the creation of the posts.

Transport Department

20. During the planning and implementation stage of the three railway projects, we need substantial traffic and transport input from TD. This is because the projects will change the travel patterns in the whole territoryalignments, and will have a significant traffic impact along the proposed railway alignments both during and after their implementation. The department will have to scrutinise the submissions from the railway corporations, including examination of the design of the railway systems to ensure that capacities are adequate to meet forecast demands; givinge advice in planning the locations of the railway stations and the adjacent public transport interchanges; and checking traffic implications of proposed developments associated with the projects.

21. Because of the scale and complexity of the projects, the existing manpower in TD cannot cope with all the workload. At present, the Assistant Commissioner for Transport/Technical Services and Planning (AC/TSP) (D2) co-ordinates preparatory work related to the three railway projects at the project steering committee level,with technical assistance provided by the Chief Engineer/Territory Transport Planning (CE/TTP) (D1). A number of Senior Engineers of the relevant Regional Traffic Engineering Divisions co-ordinate work at the project working group level by working part time, on a temporary basis, in addition to their own duties in handling district traffic management and engineering matters. This arrangement will not be able to meet the demand as the projects advance. We need to create a new Railway Development Section with six staff under the Port and Airport Development Branch in TD, comprising one Senior Engineer, two Engineer/Assistant Engineer, one Senior Transport Officer, one Senior Technical Officer (Traffic), and one Technical Officer (Traffic)/ Technical Officer Trainee (Traffic). The team will report to the Government Engineer/Port and Airport Development. We propose to adjust the NAMS ceiling of TD from $332,189,000 by $2,771,370 to $334,960,370 to cater for the creation of the posts.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

22. The additional notional annual salary cost at mid-point of our proposal to create directorate posts is $3,822,000. The full annual average staff cost of the proposaled directorate posts, including salaries and staff on-costs, is $6,843,804. In addition, theour proposals will necessitatelead to the creation of 22 additional non-directorate posts at a notional annual mid-point salary cost at mid-point of $8,737,830 and a full annual average staff cost of $16,240,956.

23. We have included sufficient provision in the 1996-97 Estimates to meet the cost of the proposals.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

24. The Government We commissioned a Railway Development Study in 1991 to consider the possible expansion of the territory rail system to meet future needs. Following the completion of this Study in 1993, we conducted a public consultation exercise from April to July 1993. Taking account of the public views received and the results of further studies subsequently conducted, we formulated and announced in December 1994 the Railway Development Strategy (RDS)., The RDS which accords high priority to the implementation of three railway projects as set out in paragraph 23 above.

25. Because of the upsurge of workloadin the Branch, planning and implementation of the RDS, TB had to oversee the feasibility studies on the Electronic Road Pricing proposal and territory-wide Bus-only-lanes, steering the Parking Demand Study and Freight Transport Study, with a view to formulating the relevant policies thereafter. It also has to supervise the contracting out of the management, operation and maintenance of Tsing Ma Control Area, and formulate policies on traffic management and transport links with China. To cope with these workload, we created one supernumerary AOSGB (D3) post in TB for six months on 18 June 1996 to oversee the feasibility studies on the Electronic Road Pricing proposal and territory-wide Bbus-only-lanes, the Parking Demand Study and Freight Transport Study, the contracting out of the management, operation and maintenance of Tsing Ma Control Area, and the formulation of policies on traffic management and transport links with China.

26. We further created a supernumerary AOSGC (D2) post in TB for a period of six months on 12 August 1996 to attend to the pressing issues related to the MTRC’s proposals for the TKE. Tasks include examination of the technical proposals, addressing urgent interface issues, and assisting in briefing the Chinese side of the Sino- British Joint Liaison Group, the LegCo, concerned District Boards and other interested parties. The incumbent also monitors the engineering feasibility study on the MOS rail, which will be completed by February 1997.

27. Subject to the Finance Committee’s approval of the creation of the proposed DS(TM) and PAS(T)7 posts, we will delete the supernumerary AOSGB and AOSGC posts.

CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH COMMENTS

28. The Civil Service Branch supports the ranking, grading and duration of the proposed supernumerary posts, having regard to the expanded volume of work, the scope and level of responsibilities involved and the professional input required.

RECOMMENDATIONADVICE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIRECTORATE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

29. As the three directorate posts are proposed on a supernumerary basis, their creation, if approved, will be reported to the Standing Committee on Directorate Salaries and Conditions of Service in accordance with the agreed procedure.

Transport Branch
November 1996

Enclosure 2 to EC(96-97)46

Existing Job Description of DS(TM)

Post : Deputy Secretary (Transport Management)

Rank : Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1

Responsible to : Secretary for Transport

Main Duties :

  1. Formulating and monitoring the implementation of transport policies and strategies;
  2. Steering major strategic and infrastructure studies and supervising provision of input to other studies which have significant transport implications;
  3. Steering the implementation of the Railway Development Strategy;
  4. Formulating and overseeing the Branch’s overall legislative programme and policy commitments; overseeing Branch input to the Resource Allocation Exercise; establishing priorities for capital works projects; and monitoring their implementation;
  5. Overseeing the planning and progress of transport infrastructure projects and PADS related transport projects; and
  6. Overseeing Branch administration and standing in for S for T, when necessary.

Enclosure 3 to EC(96-97)46

Proposed Job Description of DS(TI)

Post : Deputy Secretary (Transport Infrastructure)

Rank : Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1

Responsible to : Secretary for Transport

Main Duties :

  1. Overseeing the planning and implementation of the Railway Development Strategy and the review of the Strategy;
  2. Steering the planning and implementation of the Western Corridor Railway project;
  3. Steering the planning and implementation of the Tseung Kwan O Extension/ Quarry Bay Extension and the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai rail link/Kowloon Canton Railway Extension from Hung Hom to Tsimshatsui;
  4. Providing overall policy guidance on the interface of the proposal railway projects with existing infrastructure;
  5. Reviewing the Railway Development Strategy;
  6. Overseeing and planning the progress of transport infrastructure projects (other than the railway projects) including franchises;
  7. Steering major transport studies including the Third Comprehensive Transport Studies;
  8. Formulating and overseeing the Branch’s overall legislative programme and policy commitments;
  9. Overseeing Branch input to the Resource Allocation Exercise; establishing priorities for capital works projects; and monitoring their implementation; and
  10. Overseeing Branch administration and standing in for S for T, when necessary.

Enclosure 4 to EC(96-97)46

Proposed Job Description of DS(TM)

Post : Deputy Secretary (Transport Management)

Rank : Administrative Officer Staff Grade B

Responsible to : Secretary for Transport

Main Duties :

  1. Formulating and monitoring the implementation of policies and strategies on transport management (except public transport), including the Electronic Road Pricing and territory-wide Bus-only-lanes;
  2. Steering major strategic and infrastructure studies on parking demand and freight transport and supervising provision of input to other studies which have significant transport implications;
  3. Overseeing the planning and progress of PADS related transport projects;
  4. Overseeing the contracting out of the management of the Tsing Ma Control Area; and
  5. Providing overall policy guidance on traffic management and transport links with China.

Enclosure 5 to EC(96-97)46

Revised Job Description of PAS(T)4

Post : Principal Assistant Secretary (Transport) 4

Rank : Administrative Officer Staff Grade C

Responsible to : Deputy Secretary (Transport Infrastructure)

Main Duties :

  1. Overseeing the implementation of the Railway Development Strategy; reviewing the Strategy in response to updated situation and findings of other planning and transport studies; dealing with all matters arising from the Strategy; planning and overseeing Phase III of the Railway Development Study; and dealing with ancillary railway issues, such as tramway and light rail extensions;
  2. Overseeing the implementation of the Western Corridor Railway; negotiating with the railway corporation in respect of legal, financial, land and engineering issues; pursuing project agreement and enabling legislation; and effecting all necessary consultation, including with the Chinese side, LegCo and the public;
  3. Effecting the enactment of the Railways Bill; and
  4. Serving as member of the Railway Panel on the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee; serving as member of the Lok Ma Chau Border Crossing Working Group of the Committee; and dealing with all matters arising from the proposed rail border crossing at Lok Ma Chau.

Enclosure 6 to EC(96-97)46

Proposed Job Description of PAS(T)7

Post : Principal Assistant Secretary (Transport) 7

Rank : Administrative Officer Staff Grade C

Responsible to : Deputy Secretary (Transport Infrastructure)

Main Duties :

  1. Overseeing the implementation of MTR Tseung Kwan O and Quarry Bay Extensions; negotiating with the railway corporation in respect of legal, financial, land and engineering issues; pursuing project agreement and enabling legislation; and effecting all necessary consultation, including with the Chinese side, LegCo and the public;
  2. Overseeing the implementation of the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link and KCR Extension to Tsimshatsui ; overseeing the engineering feasibility study for the project; effecting the recommended institutional arrangement for the project; negotiating with the prospective operator in respect of legal, financial, land and engineering issues; pursuing project agreement and enabling legislation; and effecting all necessary consultation, including with the Chinese side, LegCo and the public; and
  3. Administering the financial consultants on the railway projects.

Enclosure 9 to EC(96-97)46

Existing Job Description of CE/R

Post : Chief Engineer/Railway

Rank : Chief Engineer

Responsible to : Government Engineer/Railway Development

Main Duties :

  1. Assisting in the planning of the Railway Development Strategy including updating and managing further studies as required;
  2. Assisting in controlling the railway development programme, being one of the four main objective areas of Highways Department;
  3. Managing the implementation planning of the three high priority projects - the Western Corridor Railway (WCR), the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension and Quarry Bay Extension (TKE) and the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link plus the KCR Extension to Hung Hom (MOS Rail);
  4. Drawing up project briefs and inviting proposals for the three high priority projects, and providing technical support in the assessment of proposals and the subsequent negotiations for the projects;
  5. Vetting of prospective railway operators’ technical proposals, and assisting in negotiation with the operators;
  6. Managing the Independent Vetting Consultant’s work in checking the proposals on WCR Corridor and TKE;
  7. Overseeing the consultancy on the feasibility study of the MOS Rail;
  8. Providing technical input to the financial and legal aspects of the railway projects;
  9. Confirming detailed railway alignments and railway area plans to identify land requirements and necessary amendments to statutory town plans;
  10. Providing technical advice to Transport Branch on all railway matters, including cross border infrastructure co-ordination;
  11. Monitoring of the programme and progress of individual projects;
  12. Co-ordinating with other government departments to ensure the smooth progress of the railway projects;
  13. Overseeing the resolution of all interfacing matters between the railway proposals and other development projects;
  14. Assisting in drawing up the technical parts of the project agreements;
  15. Participating in other strategic studies to ensure that railway development is properly taken care of. These studies include Territory Development Strategy Review, Comprehensive Transport Study 3, Port Development Strategy;
  16. Administering route protection of existing and proposed routes;
  17. Monitoring and analysing information on railway development in neighbouring regions for the up keeping of a railway planning data base to facilitate planning for the further development of the Territory’s railway system; and
  18. Planning, controlling expenditure, administering contracts, managing consultancies and finalising outstanding contract accounts and fee issues in respect of the Lo Wu Terminal Project.

Enclosure 10 to EC(96-97)46

Existing Job Description of CE/AR

Post : Chief Engineer/Airport Railway

Rank : Chief Engineer

Responsible to : Government Engineer/Railway Development

Main Duties :

  1. Liaising with the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) to ensure timely provision of Government assistance and input to the Airport Railway (AR) project;
  2. Liaising with the MTRC on the enactment of the necessary legislation for the AR and providing technical input for the drawing up of conditions and schedules to be included in the legislation;
  3. Providing technical support in the negotiation for the AR, reviewing the programme and updating of the estimate for the AR project;
  4. Making presentations and briefings to District Boards, relevant Government consultative committees, and other private and public organizations as and when required;
  5. Checking the detailed railway area plans and associated property developments to confirm the land requirements and all necessary amendments to statutory town plans;
  6. Liaising with other departments on land formation and acquisition, and other infrastructure of the replacement airport;
  7. Co-ordinating and agreeing the scope of works for entrustment between the MTRC and Government and monitoring their progress;
  8. Advising other Government departments/branches on matters relating to the implementation of the AR and co-ordinating returns for matters relating to the AR;
  9. Assessing and scrutinizing technical and development proposals for the AR;
  10. Liaising with utility companies on matters affecting the AR; and
  11. Undertaking further engineering studies and investigations as may be required.

Enclosure 12 to EC(96-97)46

Proposed Job Description of CE/WCR

Post : Chief Engineer/West Corridor Railway

Rank : Chief Engineer

Responsible to : Government Engineer/Railway Development

Main Duties :

  1. Overseeing the planning and implementation of the Western Corridor Railway (WCR);
  2. Vetting of KCRC’s technical proposals, and assisting in negotiation with the operators;
  3. Assisting in vetting KCRC’s strategy, procedures and programme in consultancies and contract management;
  4. Co-ordinating the Independent Vetting Consultants’ work in checking the proposals on the WCR;
  5. Providing technical advice to Transport Branch on railway matters related to the WCR, including cross border infrastructure co-ordination;
  6. Monitoring of the programme and progress of the WCR;
  7. Providing technical input to the financial and legal aspects of the WCR;
  8. Assisting in drawing up the technical parts of the project agreement of the WCR;
  9. Confirming detailed railway alignments and railway area plans of the WCR to identify land requirements and necessary amendments to statutory town plans;
  10. Co-ordinating with other government departments to ensure the smooth progress of the WCR;
  11. Overseeing the resolution of all interfacing matters between the WCR and other development projects;
  12. Administering route protection of the WCR; and
  13. Planning, controlling expenditure, administering contracts, managing consultancies and finalising outstanding contract accounts and fee issues of the Lo Wu Terminal Project.

Enclosure 13 to EC(96-97)46

Revised Job Description of CE/R

Post : Chief Engineer/Railway

Rank : Chief Engineer

Responsible to : Government Engineer/Railway Development

Main Duties :

  1. Assisting in the planning of the Railway Development Strategy including updating and managing further studies as required;
  2. Assisting in controlling the railway development programme, being one of the four main objective areas of Highways Department;
  3. Managing the implementation of the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension and Quarry Bay Extension (TKE) and the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link/ KCR Extension from Tsimshatsui to Hung Hom (MOS Rail);
  4. Managing the Independent Vetting Consultant’s work in checking the proposals on the TKE;
  5. Managing the consultancy on the feasibility study of the MOS Rail;
  6. Drawing up project brief and inviting proposals for MOS Rail, and providing technical support in the assessment of proposals and the subsequent negotiations for the project;
  7. Vetting of prospective railway operators’ technical proposals on the MOS Rail, and assisting in negotiation with the operators;
  8. Confirming detailed railway alignments and railway area plans to identify land requirements and necessary amendments to statutory town plans;
  9. Providing technical input to the financial and legal aspects of the railway projects;
  10. Providing technical advice to Transport Branch on railway matters, including cross border infrastructure co-ordination;
  11. Monitoring of the programme and progress of individual projects;
  12. Co-ordinating with other government departments to ensure the smooth progress of the railway projects;
  13. Overseeing the resolution of all interfacing matters between the railway proposals and other development projects;
  14. Assisting in drawing up the technical parts of the project agreements;
  15. Participating in other strategic studies to ensure that railway development are properly taken care of, including Territory Development Strategy Review, Comprehensive Transport Study 3, Port Development Strategy;
  16. Administering route protection of proposed routes; and
  17. Monitoring and analysing information on railway development in neighbouring regions for the up keeping of a railway planning data base to facilitate planning for the further development of the Territory’s railway system.

Last Updated on 12 August 1999