Traffic and transport arrangements during Chung Yeung

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

Making the appeal today (October 5), a spokesman for the Transport Department said special traffic and transport arrangements would be implemented during the period to facilitate crowd control and road safety.

He said: "Certain roads will be closed and on-street parking spaces in the vicinity of cemeteries will be suspended.

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

"They are also advised to remain patient in crowded situation, and to go to cemetery early or on other non-festive days if possible."

Concerning public transport services, the spokesman pointed out that the special bus service plying between Lei Yue Mun Road and Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery would be suspended on October 6.

He explained: "It is anticipated that there will be a large number of grave-sweepers going to the cemetery on that day. The arrangement aims to facilitate the Police to exercise crowd control.

"We understand that this may cause inconvenience to grave-sweepers as they have to walk through the closed access road to the Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery. However, the arrangement is necessary to ensure their safety.

"The service of route 14S will be available between 7 am and 5.30 pm on October 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. If feasible, grave-sweepers should consider to go to the cemetery on other non-festive days," add the spokesman.

Special bus services to be operated on October 6 include:

76S (Fanling KCR Station - Wo Hop Shek Cemetery)

70S (Jordan Road Ferry - Wo Hop Shek)

74S (Lam Tin MTR Station - Wo Hop Shek)

38S (Kwai Fong MTR Station (Kwai Yan Road) - Tsuen Wan Chinese Cemetery)

3S (Diamond Hill MTR Station (Lung Poon Street) to Diamond Hill Cemetery) (Circular)

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 avoid busy hours.

"We would also like to advise tourist companies which feed patrons to the Lok Ma Chau terminus for transfer to the shuttle bus that they should evenly spread out their trips.

"No service extension has been planned for the shuttle bus which operates between 7.30 am and 9.30 pm. Past experience shows that passengers rushing for the last few departures may not successfully board the bus," he said.

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

For enquiries about the bus services, the public may call the following hotlines of the operators:

End/Thursday, October 5, 2000