Public reminded of transport arrangement for first school day

The Transport Department said today (August 30) that public transport services would be adequate to meet an upsurge in transport demand on the first school day on Friday (September 1).    

     "Major transport operators have again been reminded to have standby buses/ferries to meet an upsurge in transport demand on the commencement of the new school term.  Nanny van and school bus operators are also reminded to liaise with parents and schools for conveyance of students to and from schools; and pay attention to traffic conditions and drive carefully," a spokesman for the department said.

     On Friday (September 1), the Department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) would closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services. There would be close liaison between the relevant Government departments and major public transport operators. Transport Department staff would be deployed on site at various locations over the territory to observe and provide on site information to the co-ordination centre.

     The spokesman reminded students to familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken and the traffic routing to school and allow more time for travel on the first school day, especially if they were attending a new school this term.  Students living in the outlying islands or attending schools in the outlying islands were advised to check the ferry schedules and the vessel types to be used on their intended ferry trips beforehand.

     Bus companies had been asked to reserve some standby buses for areas where there may be high student demand in the morning peak period to meet the contingency needs.

     "Cross-harbour tunnel traffic is likely to become busier compared with the August situation and motorists are advised to allow more time for their trips in particular cross-harbour trips during the morning peak hours", the spokesman added.

     The spokesman said major government works departments had been requested to avoid commencement of repair or utility works as far as possible on roads leading to major school areas on the new school term commencement dates. In addition, traffic police have been requested to monitor those road junctions or sections which are expected to suffer traffic congestion during school hours.

     "In view of the possible congestion in school areas, motorists should avoid these areas if possible. They should also familiarise themselves with the routings and avoid prolonged kerbside activities if they have to go to these areas," the spokesman said.    

     The department also advised people to pay attention to announcement of radio and TV stations for the latest transport and traffic news before leaving home. For enquiry please call the Department's hotline 2804 2600 or government hotline 1823.

     For enquiries on bus and ferry schedules, the public can call the following hotlines or visit the websites of the major public transport operators:

Operator     Hotline      Website
--------     -------     -------

New World   2136 8888    www.nwfb.com.hk
First Bus

CityBus     2873 0818    www.citybus.com.hk

Kowloon     2745 4466    www.kmb.com.hk
Motor Bus
/Long Win Bus

New Lantao   2984 9848    www.newlantaobus.com
Bus

New World   2131 8181    www.nwff.com.hk
First Ferry

Hong Kong   2815 6063    www.hkkf.com.hk
and Kowloon Ferry

Ends/Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:58