Working together for a new and convenient transport network to serve NT West

To provide residents living along the West Rail (WR) corridor with the best possible range of transportation choices and level of service once the WR is in use, the Transport Department (TD) has developed a comprehensive Public Transport (PT) plan for the North-west New Territories (NWNT) area.

Speaking at a press conference today (December 10), the Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr Peter Luk Yu-kwan said TD carried out extensive local consultations about an initial PT plan from January 2003. The Department have modified and improved the plan as a result of the public feedback.

Mr Luk said: "The new railway will provide convenient and fast services for residents in Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun districts. The PT plan comprises introduction of new bus routes, modification of existing bus and green minibus routes and adjustment in headways to match with changes in passenger demand and travel patterns after the commissioning of WR.

"TD has enhanced pedestrian facilities including the provision of a footbridge and subway to facilitate passengers who want to walk to the station. In addition, about 30 franchised bus routes and 40 green minibus routes will be re-routed or extended to enhance the feeder connection to WR stations."

Mr Luk added that the concerned transport operators had reached agreement to provide trial fare concessions for passengers interchanging between WR and about 30 franchised bus routes and green minibus routes. The concessions amount to $0.3 to $1.5. The arrangement will be reviewed in six months' time.

Mr Luk said that West Rail would link the Light Rail in NWNT with the railway network in the urban area. It would help relieve congestion on busy roads.

"The new railway will provide passengers travelling between NWNT and urban areas with an additional choice. WR will provide fast and reliable service as it will not be affected by road congestion. During the initial stage of its operation, the carrying capacity will be 47,000 passengers per hour on each direction. It will increase the public transport capacity in the corridor by about 80%. We expect that a number of passengers will switch to use WR," Mr Luk said.

"To maintain an efficient public transport network and relieve road congestion, six existing bus routes with low demand will be cancelled in phases after WR's opening."

"To facilitate passengers, we will also provide new or enhanced services to supplement the route cancelled at the same time. For example, a new bus route No. 61M will be introduced, and the existing route No. 68A will be extended to MTR Tsing Yi station with enhancement in headway. New section fares will be introduced on several bus routes. For another few bus routes, we will observe the actual changes in demand and travel patterns after the opening of WR so as to consider whether the routes will need to be modified, combined or cancelled," he added.

"We will phase in the PT plan gradually in about three to six months' time. This will allow sufficient time for passengers to familiarise themselves with the changes. Major changes such as cancellation of bus routes will only be introduced after passenger travel patterns have been carefully monitored and assessed."

Since the commissioning date of WR will only be announced later, and the PT changes will be implemented over time, Mr Luk reminded passengers to be aware of information from public transport operators, in particular the KCRC, and to look out for notices posted at stops/terminuses and inside vehicles.

To publicise the PT plan, TD has produced a booklet entitled "Working together for a new and convenient transport network to serve NT West" providing information about service modifications, the implementation schedule and traffic maps. The booklet has been sent to households in Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun districts.

TD has also arranged with the bus operators to broadcast in buses a short promotional video prior to the commissioning of WR to enhance the awareness of passengers about the PT plan.

If passengers want to obtain updates and more information about the PT plan, they are encouraged to use the following hotlines or website:

	Transport Department Hotline: 2928 6633
	Transport Department Website: www.info.gov.hk/td
	West Rail Hotline: 2684 8833
	Light Rail Hotline: 2468 7788
	KMB Hotline: 2745 4466
	Citybus Hotline: 2873 0818
	New World First Bus Hotline: 2136 8888

During the initial operation period of West Rail, TD will activate the emergency transport co-ordinate centre to monitor closely the travel demand along the West Rail corridor and co-ordinate arrangements whenever necessary. TD staff will also conduct on-site inspections at WR stations and bus stops.

Ends/Wednesday, December 10, 2003