Special traffic and transport arrangements for New Year holidays

The Transport Department has asked people to take note of the special traffic and transport arrangements being implemented during New Year holidays to facilitate holiday celebrations including the Lan Kwai Fong Carnival, Apple Countdown at Times Square, Jardines' Midnight Gun Ceremony and the 39th Hong Kong Product Expo.c

A department spokesman advised peopleto make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion, saying traffic in shopping areas during the period would be busier than usual.

"Road closures and traffic diversions will be in effect in districts like Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui. Many parking spaces on the streets will be closed off and it will be much more difficult to find parking spaces.

"As public transport operators will augment and extend their services to cater for extra demand, motorists are strongly urged to leave their cars at home and make use of public transport instead."

Some bus and minibus services will be extended or augmented during the New Year holidays, while ferry services will be extended, with additional sailings scheduled.

As for trains, the Mass Transit Railway (Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong , Tseung Kwan O and Tung Chung Lines) and the Kowloon-Canton Railway East Rail (East Tsim Sha Tsui - Sheung Shui), Ma On Shan Rail, West Rail and Light Rail Routes 507, 614P, 615P, 705 and 706 will operate around the clock on December 31. Hong Kong Tramways, the Peak Tram and the Central to Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system will provide extended service.

Details of special traffic arrangements can be found in the "Traffic Notices" on the department's website: http://www.info.gov.hk/td//index.aspx?section=13&lang=1

Ends/Thursday, December 30, 2004