Use of public transport during New Year holiday urged

The Transport Department today (December 29) called on the public to pay attention to a series of special traffic and transport arrangements which will be implemented during New Year holiday to facilitate holiday celebrations.

They are also advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion.

A spokesman for the department said: "Traffic in shopping areas on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be busier than usual.

"Moreover, road closures and traffic diversions will take place in districts like Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui.

"Pedestrian schemes in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay which involve road closures will also take effect during the holiday to facilitate pedestrians.

"As public transport operators will strengthen and extend their services to cater for demand, motorists are strongly urged to give up private cars and make use of public transport services."

On the public transport front, services of a number of bus and minibus routes will be extended or strengthened on New Year's Eve.

Both Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwung Tong and Tung Chung Lines) and Kowloon Cantoon Railway (Hung Hom - Sheung Shui) will provide round-the-clock service on New Year's Eve. Services of MTR Airport Express Line will be strengthened while Hongkong Tramways and Peak Tram will extend their services on December 31 till early morning of January 1, 2001. Light Rail will provide normal Sunday and public holiday services.

Ferry services between Central/Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will also be extended while ferry services from Central to Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Yung Shu Wan and Discovery Bay will have additional sailings provided.

For those who intend to take the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang Cross-boundary shuttle bus during the holiday, they are urged to set out as early as possible to avoid last minute rush.

"While the number of passengers will increase significantly during public holidays, the service period for the shuttle bus (7.30 am to 9.30 pm) will not be extended," said the spokesman.

Intending passengers are advised to call the shuttle bus' enquiry hotline 2471 0792 before departing for the Lok Ma Chau terminus.

The department also appealed to tourist companies, who feed patrons to the Lok Ma Chau terminus for transfer to the shuttle bus, to evenly spread out their trips throughout the day.

This will help reduce their patrons' waiting time for the service.

Transport Department will monitor closely on both local and cross-boundary traffic during the holiday, and prompt action will be taken whenever necessary.

Details of the special traffic arrangements during New Year holiday are now available from the Notice Board of the department's Homepage (http://www.td.gov.hk/).

End/Friday, December 29, 2000

	Traffic arrangements for New Year's Eve on HK Island (29.12.00)
	Traffic arrangements in Kowloon for New Year's Eve (29.12.00)