West Rail operations generally smooth this morning

Operations of West Rail and other public transport services was generally smooth during morning peak hours on the first working day after the official opening of West Rail.

The Transport Department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre was activated at 6am this morning (December 22) to monitor transport and traffic conditions and to maintain close liaison with Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation and the bus companies.

The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, this morning inspected the light rail service at Tin Yiu stop. He also visited the Tuen Mun and Nam Cheong WR Stations to observe the new rail services.

"The operation was smooth this morning and passenger volume was not so great," Mr Footman said after his visit. " It may be partly due to Christmas holidays of schools."

"The Transport Department will continue to monitor the traffic situation to see if passengers' transport patterns have changed," he said. "We will conduct a study to see if there is any need to make adjustments to other transport services."

The Transport Department also deployed officers at strategic locations to observe traffic and pedestrian flows this morning. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will remain in operation on December 23 and 24 to monitor West Rail and other public transport services.

Ends/Monday, December 22, 2003