A new and convenient transport network to serve Tseung Kwan O
A comprehensive Public Transport Plan (PT Plan) for the Tseung Kwan O area has been developed to provide residents with the best possible range of transportation choices and levels of service when the MTR Tseung Kwan O line (MTR TKOL) commences operation in August.
Announcing implementation details of the PT Plan at the press conference today (July 24), Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr Peter Y K Luk said that following extensive local consultations about the initial draft PT Plan which were conducted from January this year, the finalised PT Plan which will be implemented by phases has taken into account residents' feedback. He said there would also be reduction in the fares on routes that would have changes in routeing and journey distance under the PT Plan.
Mr Luk added that the department was following up with the various operators to encourage them to provide interchange concessions to benefit passengers in the area.
He said: "The current PT Plan will see the introduction of a number of new bus and GMB routes, along with some adjustments to the routeing and frequency of some existing services, to better match the new passenger travel pattern upon commissioning of the MTR TKOL. The new railway line will more than double the capacity of the public transport system for the Tseung Kwan O area. To enhance efficiency and improve the road congestion problem, the service of a few low demand bus routes will be curtailed after the new railway line has come into operation."
"We expect that the changes will be completed by phases in about 3 months, so as to allow time for passengers to get accustomed to the changes. Major modification or cancellation of bus routes will be introduced after passenger travel patterns have been monitored and assessed."
Mr Luk advised passengers to pay particular attention to information from public transport operators and look out for notices posted on buses, at bus stops or termini.
As to the commissioning of MTR TKOL, Mr Luk said the new railway line would link Tseung Kwan O to the Hong Kong rail network while at the same time relieving pressure on busy roads in the area.
He said: "The new railway line will provide convenient and fast service to residents in the Tseung Kwan O and Yau Tong areas. Most of these residents will live within a seven to eight minute walk of the new MTR stations. Footbridges and subways supplemented by pedestrian crossings are developed to provide the residents with safe and convenient pedestrian walkways systems around the new MTR stations."
To publicise the PT Plan to the public, a booklet with handy information on changes to public transport services was specially designed and mailed to residents of Sai Kung, Tseung Kwan O and Yau Tong areas.
There will also be publicity through television broadcast on buses and MTR's trackside motion systems from late July to early September.
One may call the Transport Department's hotline at 1878 218, MTRC at 2881 8888, Citybus at 2873 0818, KMB at 2745 4466, New World First Bus at 2136 8888 or visit the website www.info.gov.hk/td for the latest updated information on public transport services.
The Transport Department will activate its Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre to closely monitor the service levels of the public transport services upon and after the commissioning of MTR Yau Tong station and Tseung Kwan O Line on 4 and 18 August respectively. On-site observations at various bus stops and termini would also be conducted.
End/Wednesday, July 24, 2002