Special traffic and transport arrangements for Christmas and New Year holidays

The Transport Department advises the public to take note of the special traffic and transport arrangements that will be implemented during the Christmas and New Year holidays to facilitate holiday celebrations.

They are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion.

"Traffic in shopping areas during the period will be busier than usual," a spokesman for the department said.

"Moreover, road closures and traffic diversions will be in effect in districts like Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui. Many parking spaces on the streets will be closed off. It will be much more difficult to find parking spaces.

"As public transport operators will augment and extend their services to cater for extra demand, motorists are strongly urged to leave their private cars at home and make use of public transport instead."

On the public transport front, some bus and minibus services will be extended or augmented during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

As for trains, the Mass Transit Railway (Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwung Tong , Tsueng Kwan O and Tung Chung Lines) and the Kowloon-Canton Railway East Rail(Hung Hom - Sheung Shui), West Rail and Light Rail Routes 505, 507 and 701 will operate around the clock on December 24 and 31.

On the same two days, Hongkong Tramways, the Peak Tram and the Central to Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system will provide extended service, while ferry services between Central/Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will be extended, with additional sailings scheduled.

For those who intend to take Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus during the holidays, the Transport Department reminds passengers to travel by rail as far as possible and plan their journeys. Passengers are advised to call the shuttle bus enquiry hotline - 2471 0792 - before departing for the Lok Ma Chau terminus.

The Transport Department will closely monitor local and cross-boundary traffic during the holidays and take prompt action whenever necessary.

Details of special traffic arrangements during Christmas can be found in the "Traffic Notices" on the department's homepage (http://www.info.gov.hk/td/index.aspx?section=13&lang=1).

Ends/Monday, December 22, 2003