More efficient bus operation for better environment

More efficient bus operation such as reducing the number of bus trips and stopping activities in the busy areas can alleviate traffic congestion and reducing vehicle emission.

Speaking at the Better Air Quality Workshop organised by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Environment Protection Department, the Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr S M Li, said air pollution problem at street level in Hong Kong is largely caused by vehicle emission, and traffic and transport professionals could play an active role in combating roadside air pollution through transport planning and traffic management measures.

Enhancing the efficiency of bus operation was one of the traffic management measures, according to Mr Li.

These measures included controlling the deployment of buses in busy areas; promotion of bus-bus and bus-rail interchanges, adjustments to bus routings and frequency; and bus stop rationalization, Mr Li said.

Regarding rationalisation of bus routes and stops, Mr Li pointed out that since late 1998, the number of operating trips passing through Central District had been reduced through various measures.

"Five low-demand bus routes including three Hong Kong Island local routes and two cross-harbour bus routes were cancelled in 1999 and 2000. During the same period, route amalgamation, route truncation and arrangements for short working service were implemented on six routes, " he said.

"In addition, some 30 Hong Kong Island routes and twelve cross-harbour routes were rationalised through frequency reduction to enable a closer match between service provision and passenger demand.

"The implementation of the measures had reduced the number of daily bus trips through Central/Admiralty by six per cent or about 900 bus trips per day."

In addition to reduction in bus trips in Central, the routings of 24 bus routes, involving about 160 bus trips per peak hour, were diverted to avoid the congested traffic spots in Central and Causeway Bay.

To further enhance bus efficiency, bus stops located on major traffic corridors were rationalised to reduce stopping and weaving movements of buses, Mr Li said.

The schemes for Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point had reduced over 2,000 stoppings per peak hour and as a result, a saving of three to four minutes in bus journey time was observed on the busiest roads.

Bus stops for Nathan Road, Chatham Road South and Kwun Tong have also been rationalized in 1999 and 2000. The schemes for Nathan Road and Chatham Road South had reduced over 1,100 stoppings in the peak hour resulting in a saving of six to seven minutes in bus journey time. The Kwun Tong scheme achieved a saving of three minutes on Kwun Tong Road.

The Transport Department would review the operation of bus stops on major corridors regularly and would initiate measures to improve the situation whenever necessary, Mr Li said.

End/Wednesday, September 20, 2000