Call for adequate public transport services on first school day

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     The Transport Department today (August 24) said that major public transport operators had been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to cater for the transport demand on the first school day (September 1).

     "The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 1," a department spokesman said. "The department will maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. Staff will be deployed at various locations over the territory to observe and provide on-site information to the ETCC."

     Students are reminded to familiarise themselves with the public transport services to schools and allow more travelling time on the first school day, especially if they are attending a new school. 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.

     Members of the public can obtain more information through the following hotlines and websites provided by the major public transport operators:

Operator     Hotline     Website
--------     ---------  ---------
New World    2136 8888  http://www.nwfb.com.hk/
First Bus

CityBus      2873 0818  http://www.citybus.com.hk/

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

New Lantao Bus   2984 9848  http://www.newlantaobus.com/


New World    2131 8181  http://www.nwff.com.hk/
First Ferry

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

MTR          2881 8888  http://www.mtr.com.hk
Corporation
Limited

     Motorists are urged not to drive to the school areas if possible. Drivers of nanny vans and school buses should not carry excess passengers and leave school children in vehicles unattended. No picking up and dropping off activities will be allowed in restricted zones. Parents should agree well in advance with drivers of nanny vans or school buses the location of picking up and dropping off their children.

     People are advised to pay attention to the latest transport and traffic news on radio and television before leaving home. For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2804 2600 or the 1823 Call Centre.

Ends/Monday, August 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:52

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