Will private cars ever be allowed on Park Island?
Park Island is connected by an excellent modern highway that connects to the Hong Kong Airport on Lantau Island, and to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. See below Park Island on Google maps:
To get to Park Island, you can use public transport such as a buses or ferries. Private busses also drive to Park Island (eg for school groups, or tours visiting the Noah's Arc). And service vehicles are also allowed (eg for furniture and goods deliveries).
Originally, as part of Park Island's eco-friendly clean air policy, taxis were banned from the island. However on 3 July 2008, the Goverment made changes to the policy and decided to allows taxis are now permitted to enter from 8pm to 7am in the morning. Any resident living on Park Island has the phone number of a "discount taxi" that offers 15-20% off normal rates.
Park Island does have the space for private parking, and so there is often speculation as to when (or whether) private cars will be allowed on Ma Wan.
Many Park Island residents are quite happy with the current transport facilities and indeed would likely oppose private cars for environmental reasons, and also because of the fear that this would "bring more people to Park Island". Others would like private cars to be allowed, due to the convience this would offer to people who want to easily drive to other parts of Hong Kong.
One thing is for sure - if private cars were allowed, property prices would rocket up, and apartments could well immediatly double in value. I have often heard if said (mainly from richer people living in HK) that "Park Island would be perfect if it allowed private cars - we would move there in an instant if they ever allow cars".
The planned release of the final phase of luxury condos on Park Island in 2011 has further re-sparked debate and rumors as to whether private cars will be allowed, with some people speculating that owners of these condos will be given parking rights.
My suggestion is that the Government make a some private carparks available on Park Island (eg perhaps 200-400 spaces) which can then be auctioned off to existing owners of Park Island apartments who wish to buy these for self-use. If such car parks were built on land near the village just as you enter Park Island, I think this would minimize any disturbance (in terms of noise of pollution).
Cars would be both good and bad if you know what i mean
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that cars will be allowed, eventually. Give it some time, but common sense should prevail. Park Island has excellent highway access, and so it will, eventually, be a very nice drive to and from there.
ReplyDeleteThey will start allowing residents, and then charge for a visitor's car park also. That's what i think any how.
I think they will eventually allow cars. It would be a shame in some ways, but I think wealthier owners and those with families will demand them not to mention that it will push prices right on more up after they are allowed.
ReplyDeleteGod I hope we get parking. Not that many residents will use it initially, but it would be very convienient to be able to drive on to the island. WTF they would build that beautiful road and then not allow full access to it is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteIts a matter of time. Parking for residents is a very logical thing and surely the Transport Department will support this. There are some short term political factors that need to be dealt with but I am sure it will come in time.
ReplyDeleteBring it on. I would love to have cars allowed to come to the island, not just taxies but for the owners or residents of park island but not the general public.
ReplyDeleteAs an owner I would support cars being allowed. The transport is already OK but I would love a car and yes maybe selfish but it surely would led to prices getting a massive one off boost.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally fine with how things are and we moved here for the cleaner air. But yes, and an owner I would (selfish) like cars due to the huge profit that will provide <->
ReplyDeleteAll the infrastrucure is there for cars and a lovely wide new road. Yes I think they should allow cars on Park Island.
ReplyDeleteElectric cars !
ReplyDeleteThey should let cars in for those who live there. Especially with electric cars, why not build a charging station on the island. Would love to be able to drive a Tesla around HK and home to Park Island.
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