Ready to leap hurdles: New transport head Alan Wong says his biggest challenge is to provide a safe, reliable and highly efficient transport system to meet different demands by making reasonable use of road space in an environmentally friendly manner.

The Transport Department will continue to improve Hong Kong's transport infrastructure to meet the community's demand for better services, the new Commissioner for Transport Alan Wong says.

Speaking on his first day as head of the department, Mr Wong said Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated cities, adding his biggest challenge is to provide a safe, reliable and highly efficient transport system to meet different demands by making reasonable use of road space in an environmentally friendly manner.

"The mission of the Transport Department is to excel in our key roles of planner, regulator, service provider and manager. I am dedicated to work together with my colleagues and accomplish the mission.

"In the past two weeks, I have been meeting the heads of various units to know more about their work and what kind of challenges they are facing. I have full confidence that with our untiring efforts, we will continue to improve Hong Kong's transport infrastructure to meet the community's demand for better services.

He extends his gratitude to his predecessor Robert Footman for the Department's outstanding achievements in the past six years.

"During the past two weeks, Mr Footman has offered me invaluable advice. Following the excellent tradition that Mr Footman has set up, I am confident to move forward with all colleagues and surpass our achievements," he said.