The Housing Department has installed 371 new elevators in public rental housing estates and renovated 10 more lifts in an $800-million replacement programme.

Assistant Director of Housing (Estate Management) Bay Wong today said the department planned to invest $500 million, on top of the $300 million already spent, into the works over the next five years. Estates without lift services will also get them.

The programme includes renovations and replacing old lift cars, machinery and control systems, and wherever possible, to have the lifts stopping on each floor to provide a better service. The new lifts will cut energy costs by 35%.

The department will fit external lift towers in a $58-million plan to aid elderly residents of Choi Hung Estate, Tai Hing Estate, Pak Tin Estate, Lei Muk Shue Estate 2 and Yue Wan Estate.

Shuttle lifts are also planned for Po Tat, Kwai Chung, Kwai Shing East and Sai Wan Estates at an estimated cost of $24 million.