Transport sector fully prepared for the Millennium

All transport service providers, including Transport Department (TD), Highways Department, railway corporations, bus companies, ferries, tunnel and parking operators are gearing up to ensure the continuous provision of satisfactory transport services and a smooth transition during the roll over to the Millennium.

In the meantime, a well thought out sector-wide contingency plan is also in hand to deal with any incidents/disruptions during the roll over, be they Y2K-induced or not.

Speaking at a press briefing this (Friday) afternoon, the Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr Alan Lui, said all transport service providers had completed Y2K rectification works and developed contingency plans.

"Apart from these, they have also taken active steps in undertaking drills and testing to refine the procedures, organisation and resources planning for the contingency planning," he added.

To monitor the transition into the Millennium, TD's Emergency Transport Coordination Centre (ETCC) will be set up from 8 pm on December 31, 1999.

Depending on situation, ETCC may need to be in operation until January 3, 2000, the first working day of the year.

Mr Lui said: "The centre will maintain close liaison with transport service providers and concerned government departments to ensure that the provision of transport services is smooth and satisfactory.

"Each transport service provider will set up its command centre for direct liaison and communication with ETCC.

"To enhance coordination, representatives from the Police and major public transport operators will also station at ETCC," he added.

The entire sector will deploy an additional 2,000 staff to monitor the provision of services, to standby for urgent rectification/recovery works and to implement contingency measures as necessary during the roll over.

Spare materials, vehicles and fuel are also reserved for the purpose.

"Though all is ready," Mr Lui said, "the public's cooperation is also very important for the transport sector to keep everything smooth."

For example, demand for licensing services is very keen before holidays. To avoid unnecessary delay, motorists are urged to renew their driving/vehicle licence which will expire around Christmas and New Year.

"Moreover, New Year's Eve is a time for celebration, and both passenger and vehicular traffic will be much busier than usual," he said.

"Members of the public are strongly advised to make use of public transport as much as possible and give up their own vehicles to avoid congestion."

Mr Lui also appealed to the public to be patient and calm, and follow the advice of Police officers on site in case of occurrence of any incidents.

"Every transport service providers have already developed contingency plans and will implement the plan when necessary to meet service demand and to rectify the situation within the shortest time possible," he added.

Further information about the work progress of the Y2K rectification work is available from the TD web site (http://www.info.gov.hk/td).

Friday, December 10, 1999