Public Transport Service Plan in Tseung Kwan O
The Transport Department (TD) today (August 22) announced the implementation of Public Transport Service Plan (PT Plan) in Tseung Kwan O (TKO) after considering the change of the passenger travel pattern through close monitoring since the commissioning of MTR TKO Line on August 18.
A spokesman for the department said: "Since about 80 per cent of TKO residents are within walking distance to TKO Line stations, the need for taking bus services from TKO has reduced."
"It is observed that more bus passengers have switched to use MTR in the past few days," he added.
Speaking on the implementation of the PT Plan, the spokesman said all route changes would be implemented progressively.
Route no. 796M [Tseung Kwan O (Bauhinia Garden) - Lam Tin MTR station] will be cancelled on Sunday (August 25) and two morning special bus routes no. 298P [Hang Hau (Ngan O Road) - Lam Tin MTR Station] and no. 293P [Po Lam - Mong Kok KCR Station] will be cancelled next Monday (August 26) as planned due to substantial passenger diversion to the rail.
As to the cross harbour routes 691, 693 and 694, the spokesman said observations had been made that more passengers had made a mode shift.
"About 50 to 70 per cent of passengers have switched at peak hours in the past few days since the commissioning of TKO Line.
"Taking into account the feedback from TKO residents and Sai Kung District Council members suggesting early implementation of the route changes and fare reduction on these cross harbour bus routes; and after discussing with the bus operators, the changes would be implemented earlier for the benefits of passengers and operational efficiency," he said.
From Sunday (August 25), cross harbour route 694 (Sheung Tak - Chai Wan) will omit North Point and Quarry Bay with its fare at $12.8. The merging of cross harbour routes 691 (Hang Hau - Macau Ferry) and 693 (Sheung Tak - Exchange Square) into a new route 692 (Hang Hau - Exchange Square) will take place next Wednesday (August 28). The fare of Route 692 will be $12.8 with a shorter journey distance.
Notices will be put up at all bus stops along the routes of the above services for passengers' information. Regulators will be on site to give guidance to passengers if necessary.
End/Thursday, August 22, 2002