Public urged to use public transport during New Year holiday

The Transport Department today (December 29) urges members of the public to make use of public transport services as far as possible and pay attention to a series of special traffic and transport arrangements to be implemented on New Year's Eve and New Year Day.

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

" Moreover, road closures and traffic diversions will take place in busier districts like Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui where on-streets parking spaces will temporarily be suspended, it is very difficult for motorists to find parking spaces in these areas."

"As public transport operators will strengthen and extend their services to cater for demand, motorists are strongly advised not to use private cars and make use of public transport services instead."

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 the East Rail of Kowloon-Cantoon Railway (Hung Hom - Sheung Shui) will provide round-the-clock service on New Year's Eve. Hongkong Tramways and Peak Tram will extend their services on December 31 till early morning of January 1, 2002. Light Rail will provide normal Sunday and public holiday services.

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

Those intending to take the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang Cross-boundary shuttle bus during the holiday are advised 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 (6.30 am to 11.30 pm) will not be extended," said the spokesman.

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 to help reduce their patrons' waiting time for the service.

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

Details of the special traffic arrangements during New Year holiday are now available at the "Traffic Notices" of the Department's Homepage (http://www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/notice/specialtravel/specialtravel_index.html).

End/Saturday, December 29, 2001.