Special traffic and transport arrangements for Fireworks Display
The Transport Department reminds the public that temporary traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui to accommodate the Lunar New Year Fireworks Display scheduled for 8pm tomorrow (January 23).
Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases - in the vicinity of Central and Wan Chai from 7pm, and around Tsim Sha Tsui from 5 pm.
Most public transport services, including MTR, KCRC East Rail, West Rail, Light Rail, Hong Kong Tramways and the Peak Tram, will increase service to meet passenger demand.
Between 6pm and 10.30pm, the MTRC will run trains at three-minute intervals on its Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O lines and at five-minute intervals on the Tung Chung Line between Hong Kong and Tsing Yi.
The KCRC will increase its East Rail train frequency to 3.5 minutes from 8.30pm to 10pm.
Bus service on 22 Hong Kong Island routes will be augmented. New World First Bus will operate a special service to the Peak area, Route No. 15X.
Fifty-two bus routes on Hong Kong Island and 38 routes in Kowloon will be diverted due to the temporary traffic measures. A number of green minibus routes (15 in Hong Kong and eight in Kowloon) will also be diverted.
Services on 17 ferry routes will be rescheduled or cancelled. Cross-harbour ferry services will be suspended about one hour before the start of the fireworks display, returning to normal at around 9pm.
Taxi stands and roadside parking on closed roads will be temporarily suspended.
No vehicles will be allowed to enter carparks or hotels on closed roads; vehicles already parked in those carparks and hotels will not be permitted to leave until the roads are reopened.
People who plan to go to the areas affected by the special arrangements are advised to use public transport. In case of traffic congestion, motorists are urged to exercise tolerance and patience and heed the instructions of Police. People should allow themselves more travelling time than usual and listen to the radio for the latest traffic news.
Details of the temporary traffic and transport arrangements are available at the "Traffic Notices" of the Department's website http://www.info.gov.hk/td/index.aspx?section=13&lang=1. Members of the public can also dial the Government 24-hour hotline 1823 for enquiries.
Ends/Thursday, January 22, 2004