Adequate public transport for first school day

There will be adequate public transport services to meet upsurge in transport demand by students on the first school days.

A Transport Department (TD) spokesman said today (August 30) that as in past years, major transport operators had been reminded to have standby buses/ ferries to meet upsurge of student demand on the commencement of the new school term. Nanny van and school bus operators are reminded to liaise with parents and schools for conveyance of students to and from schools; pay attention to traffic conditions and drive carefully.

On Monday (September 2), TD will activate the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) to monitor closely the traffic situation and public transport services. There will be close liaison between TD and major public transport operators as well as relevant government departments. TD staff will be deployed on site at various locations over the territory to observe and provide on site information to the ETCC.

The spokesman reminded students to get familiar with the public transport routes to be taken and the traffic routeing to school and allow more time for travel on the first school day, especially if they are attending a new school this term. All major public transport operators provide hotlines and websites to answer public enquiries.

"In particular, students living in the outlying islands or attending schools in the outlying islands are advised to check the ferry schedules and the vessel types to be used on their intended ferry trips beforehand," he said.

With the commissioning of MTRCL's Tseung Kwan O Line (TKE), TKO residents now have a choice of rail service which provides 56,000 hourly capacity in one direction during peak period. No change will be made under the public transport reorganization plan to the franchised bus services during the week when the school term commences. However, students are reminded to note the merge of cross harbour bus route 691 and 693 into 692; and omitting of North Point and Sai Wan Ho by route 694 since late August.

The bus companies have been asked to reserve some standby buses for areas where there may be high student demand in the morning peak period to meet the contingency needs.

On road traffic conditions, the spokesman said major government works departments have been requested to avoid commencement of repair or utility works as far as possible on roads leading to major school areas on the new school term commencement dates. In addition, traffic Police has been requested to monitor those road junctions or sections which are expected to suffer traffic congestion during school hours.

"In view of the possible congestion in school areas, general motorists should avoid these areas if possible. They should also familiarise themselves with the routeings and to avoid prolonged kerbside activities if they need to go to these areas," the spokesman said. Drivers of nanny vans and school buses had also been reminded to avoid carrying excessive passengers and leaving school children on vehicles unattended.

For enquiry on bus and ferry schedules, the public may phone up the following hotlines or visit the websites of the major bus and ferry operators:

End/Friday, August 30, 2002