Great demand for LMC cross boundary services throughout Chinese New Year

Transport Department (TD) today (January 30) reminded members of the public that there will be great demand for the Lok Ma Chau - Huanggang cross boundary services at Lok Ma Chau (LMC) control point throughout the Chinese New Year holidays, starting tomorrow (January 31), and passengers are advised to plan their trips using the KCRC trains both ways.

Speaking at a press briefing, Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, said: "The public are advised to plan their journeys and to travel by rail as far as possible. As the waiting time for the shuttle bus service, both north bound or south bound, could be much longer, passengers should observe order and remain patient when queuing up during the Chinese New Year holidays."

He said: "Starting from January 27, LMC control point commenced 24-hour operation, extending operations from midnight to 6.30 am. To support this, Transport Department has introduced various public transport services to and from LMC (San Tin) PTI."

The LMC - Huanggang Cross Boundary Shuttle Bus Service (the Yellow Bus) commenced 24-hour service and provides services at 10 to 15-minute frequency at a single trip fare of $7 in the extended hours between 0001 hrs and 0630 hrs.

TD has also arranged with operators of the existing feeder services to provide overnight feeder public transport services to LMC (San Tin) PTI. They include: KMB N277, KMB N76, GMB 44B, and GMB 79S. In addition, a bus route KMB N268 plying between San Tin Terminus and Mong Kok KCR Station will be temporarily provided from January 31 to February 17. Also, KMB N270 plying between Sheung Shui and Sha Tin will route through Tai Po.

Details of the overnight feeder services from midnight to 6.30 am are:

"Passengers may also make use of urban and NT taxi services as well as public light bus services to and from the San Tin Public Transport Interchange to interchange to the Yellow Bus for Lok Ma Chau Control Point," he said.

There are two main cross boundary points at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau. The Lo Wu control point processes about 270 000 people a day and up to 400 000 on peak holidays while Lok Ma Chau control point handles about 44 000 passengers a day and up to 60 000 on peak holidays. Therefore, the main boundary crossing for passengers is at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau plays a secondary role.

"Even on Chinese New Year Eve, when the local KCR service operates overnight, the last departure to Lo Wu from Sheung Shui will still be 11.40 pm," he said.

While the Transport Department can and will increase the shuttle bus capacity, passengers intending to use the Yellow Bus are advised to call the New Hong Kong Bus Company enquiry hotline at 2471 0792 for the queuing situation before departing for the Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) PTI and pay attention to radio/TV broadcast on traffic conditions.

If San Tin PTI or LMC control point gets crowded, TD will have to temporarily suspend feeder services to San Tin.

Transport Department will closely monitor both local and cross-boundary traffic during the holidays. Service will be strengthened to meet passenger demand as necessary.

Details of the special traffic arrangements during New Year holiday are now available website (www.info.gov.hk/td)

End/ Thursday, January 30, 2003