Adequate transport services on first school day

Major transport operators have been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to meet an upsurge in transport demand on the first school day (September 3).

     "The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 3," a department spokesman said today (August 27). "There will be close liaison between the department and major public transport operators as well as relevant government departments. Transport Department staff will be deployed at various locations over the territory to observe and provide on site information to the co-ordination centre," the spokesman said.

     Students are reminded 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 are attending a new school this term.  Students living on the outlying islands or attending schools on the outlying islands should check the ferry schedules and the vessel types to be used on their intended ferry trips beforehand.

     All major public transport operators provide hotlines and websites to answer public enquiries.  Details are as follows:

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

New World First Bus       2136 8888      http://www.nwfb.com.hk/
CityBus                   2873 0818      http://www.citybus.com.hk/
Kowloon Motor Bus         2745 4466      http://www.kmb.com.hk/
and Long Win Bus
New Lantao Bus            2984 9848      http://www.newlantaobus.com/
New World First Ferry     2131 8181      http://www.nwff.com.hk/
Hong Kong                 2815 6063      http://www.hkkf.com.hk/
and Kowloon Ferry

     Because of possible congestion in school areas, motorists are urged not to drive to these areas if possible.  Drivers of nanny vans and school bus operators had also been reminded to avoid carrying excess passengers and leaving school children in vehicles unattended.  Parents should agree well in advance with drivers of nanny vans or school buses the location of picking up and dropping off their children.  No picking up and dropping off will be allowed in restricted zones.  

     The department 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.

Ends/Monday, August 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:20