The Transport Department will closely monitor progress of the Transport Information System project with a view to completing the work by mid-2008.

Secretary for Transport & Housing Eva Cheng told lawmakers today the third stage of the project is underway. However, technical problems related to system design and testing were encountered and a delay of several months is expected.

The system is a centralised data warehouse for the collection, processing and dissemination of comprehensive transport information. It will provide two key services - the Intelligent Road Network and the Public Transport Information Service.

The Intelligent Road Network will provide up-to-date traffic information. The Public Transport Information Service is intended to be a service on the Internet providing transport and traffic information to public transport users and motorists.

Ms Cheng said the two services are expected to be available to the industry and the public in phases from the latter half of 2008.