In Central, Hong Kong, we have the longest escalator in the world. On average, 80,000 people use the escalator daily.

The escalator, uphill, helps to minimize human traffic in the Mid-levels, a hugely residential area, also rich in small shops and restaurants. However, because there is only one escalator, it runs downhill from 6:00 to 10:00 am, and uphill from 10:00 am to midnight. Thus, for the most part, the escalator is really a one-way service. This inconveniences people; especially the elderly, who find taking the alternative steps downhill strenuous if not impossible, owing to physical ailments.

The escalator is supposed to connect people between Central and the Mid-levels. Its current schedule is problematic to many. Some have criticized the arrangement, saying that there should be another escalator, so that there would be a two-way operation, all day. This, they say, would allow people to navigate more freely - and with less strain - between Central and the Mid-levels.

The number of residents in the Mid-levels zone is increasing. Soon, many old buildings in the Central to Mid-levels area will be redeveloped. This will increase the number of residents in the area. Experts predict that the population rise therein will be higher than the surrounding areas by 40 percent. Consequently, there will likely be an additional need for more parking spaces. Naturally, the added demand for space will increase both human and vehicular traffic in the area, particularly in the next five years. There is high possibility that, as such, the Mid-levels will be frequently encased in intertwining traffic jams.

Even now, before the projected increase in population and vehicles, there is already a high demand for an additional escalator in the Mid-levels, ideally positioned about 100 meters from the existing one.

The government recently conducted a survey about this issue, to determine just how urgent is the need for an additional escalator. According to answers, they found that people feel there is a high need.

In the next five years, we will see a great deal of land adjustments in the Mid-levels. This, added on to the building redevelopment plans for the area, in conjunction with the need for parking lots, will certainly collapse the limited capacity of the area's main roads, which is rather low.

An additional escalator would not only decrease traffic congestion in the area, it would also contribute to the development of the Central and Western districts.

The author is chairman of the Hong Kong Public Governance Association and council member of the Central and Western District.

(HK Edition 03/18/2010 page1)