Footpath widening at Star Ferry Bus Terminus

Transport Department announces that footpath widening works at Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Bus Terminus will commence from October 21. Bus services now operating at the Terminus will be re-arranged to enhance pedestrian flow and to improve traffic circulation in the area and passengers are reminded to note the changes in stopping arrangements.

A spokesman for the Transport Department said:" Star Ferry Bus Terminus is one of the busiest bus termini in Kowloon currently used by more than 30 bus routes resulting in heavy bus traffic with about 4,800 daily bus trips passing in and out the terminus.

"In addition, as the pedestrian footpaths surrounding the bus terminus lead to the Star Ferry Pier, Ocean Terminal, Cultural Centre and Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade, the pedestrian flow there is very high."

"The footpath widening and bus service re-arrangements are aimed to improve traffic condition and pedestrian flow in the area."

The road works relating to the footpath widening is expected to be completed by Chinese New Year. The scope of the scheme is as follows:

	The footpath outside Star House will be widened by 4 metres.
	One bus bay on the west side of the terminus will be converted into footpath.
	The length of the existing bus bays will be shortened and bus shelters modified to suit the shortened bays.

The purpose of the associated bus service re-arrangements is to reduce the volume of bus traffic at the terminus for improved traffic circulation and to avoid over crowdedness in view of the reduction in the terminal space as a result of the footpath-widening scheme. Changes in bus services include :

	Morning Peak Service From N.T. Routes 237A, 242X, 252B, 257B, 259B, 259C, 260B, 261B, 267S and 280P will omit the bus stop at Star Ferry Bus Terminus. The last stop of these services will be at Nathan Road near Middle Road.
	Passing Routes In Star Ferry Bus Terminus Routes 26, 28, 203, 208 and 215X will omit the bus stop at Star Ferry Bus Terminus i.e. these routes will not be routed via the bus terminus.
	Terminal Point Relocation The terminal points of routes 1 and 9 in Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be temporarily relocated to Kowloon Park Drive southbound near Middle Road. The last stop of these services in Tsim Sha Tsui will be at Nathan Road near Middle Road.

Fourteen buses routes (viz. B1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5C, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 8A, 8P, 13X and 234X) will still operate via Star Ferry Bus Terminus.

End/Thursday, October 18, 2001