Yellow Bus service beefed up to handle festive congestion at San Tin PTI

Lok Ma Chau - Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus service has been enhanced to cope with an expected surge in passenger numbers at the San Tin Public Transport Interchange (PTI) during the Chung Yeung Festival.

After visiting the San Tin PTI to observe the operation of the Yellow Buses today (October 4), the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, said: "Since the end of September, the Yellow Buses at San Tin PTI have been provided with a bus gate so that they can leave the PTI directly. This shortens the journey time and improves the circulation of both Yellow Buses and franchised buses within the PTI.

"Two brand-new Yellow Buses have been added to the fleet to increase capacity from 1,860 passengers to 2,112 per hour in each direction."

As waiting times for both north- and south-bound service may be longer during peak periods, Mr Footman appealed to passengers to show patience when queuing up at the PTI.

"Passengers will be advised to use other cross-boundary transport such as KCRC East Rail when the passenger queue at the San Tin PTI exceeds a certain limit," he said. "The Transport Department will stop all feeder buses and green minibuses to San Tin PTI if the PTI gets overcrowded."

Passengers intending to use the Yellow Buses are advised to call the New Hong Kong Bus Company enquiry hotline at 2471 0792 for the queuing situation before departing for the San Tin PTI and to listen to traffic reports on radio and TV.

The Transport Department will closely monitor service levels and passenger demand at the PTI and increase the service as necessary.

End/Saturday, October 4, 2003