Special Traffic and Transport Arrangements during Chung Yeung Festival

Grave-sweepers are reminded to make better use of public transport services during the Chung Yeung Festival period as traffic in areas near cemeteries will be much busier than usual.

Making the appeal today (October 24), a spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) said special traffic and transport arrangements would be implemented during the period to facilitate crowd control and ensure road safety.

He said: "Certain roads accessible to cemeteries will be closed or have their traffic diverted, and on-street parking spaces in the vicinity of cemeteries will be temporarily suspended."

"Moreover, TD will designate some temporary taxi stands as well as divert some GMB routes and relocate some GMB terminus.

"In view of this, members of the public should try to give up private transport and make use of public transport services to avoid traffic congestion," the spokesman added.

Grave-sweepers are also advised to remain patient in crowded situation, and to go to cemeteries early or on other non-festive days if possible.

Concerning public transport services, the spokesman said that the special bus service plying between Lei Yue Mun Road and Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery would be suspended on October 25. Grave-sweepers hence should prepare to walk through the access road closed to vehicular traffic to the Cemetery.

"The service suspension is made to facilitate crowd control measures by Police as it is anticipated that a large number of grave-sweepers will go to the cemetery on that day.

"The service of route 14S will be available between 7 am and 5.30 pm on October 27 and 28 as well as November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. If feasible, grave-sweepers can consider going to the cemetery on other non-festive days," the spokesman added.

Other special bus services operating on October 25 include:

	76S (Fanling KCR Station - Wo Hop Shek Cemetery);
	70S (Jordan Road Ferry Pier - Wo Hop Shek);
	74S (Lam Tin MTR Station - Wo Hop Shek);
	38S (Kwai Fong MTR Station - Tsuen Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery);
	32S (Tsuen Wan MTR Station - Tung Po To); and
	circular Route 3S (Diamond Hill MTR Station to Diamond Hill Cemetery)

Turning to the cross-boundary public transport services, the spokesman reminded those intended to cross the boundary by train or by cross-boundary shuttle bus during the Chung Yeung Festival period that they should make their journeys as early as possible to avoid last minute rush and busy hours.

"No service extension is planned during the Chung Yeung Festival period for the shuttle bus service which operates from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm. Past experience shows that passengers rushing for the last few departures may not successfully board the bus," he said.

"We would also like to advise traveling agencies feeding patrons to the Lok Ma Chau terminus for the shuttle bus to evenly spread their trips throughout the day.

"The Transport Department will closely monitor the traffic situation and make adjustments when required," the spokesman said.

Members of the public can dial the following hotlines for enquiries about the bus services:

Details of the special arrangements have been uploaded onto the Transport Department website.

End/Wednesday, October 24, 2001