Public transport services adequate on first school day
Public transport services were generally adequate and traffic was generally smooth despite adverse weather conditions in the morning of the first school day.
The Transport Department (TD) activated the Emergency Transport Coordination Centre (ETCC) at 6 am to monitor transport and traffic conditions and to maintain close liaison with parties concerned. About 40 Transport Department staff were assigned to major school areas to monitor the level of public transport services provided as well as general traffic condition at congestion-prone spots and to report back observations to the Centre at regular intervals.
The Acting Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Dorothy Chan, this morning inspected the queuing situation at North Point Ferry Piers Bus Terminus and toured the school area around Cheung Hong Street and Kin Wah Street. She also observed the operations of nanny vans and chatted with a nanny van driver.
About 70 additional buses have been mobilized and additional ferries have also been deployed to meet any sudden upsurge of student demand in the morning peak.
There has been minor disruption of KRC service around 6 am when a tree fell onto the KCR track. Train service between Fanling and Fo Tan was maintained at 20 minute intervals at the commencement of service. The fallen tree was subsequently removed around 6.38 am and train service gradually resumed normal.
The upper deck of the Lantau Link and Ting Kau Bridge were closed to all wind susceptible vehicles between 1.40 am and 9 am owing to strong wind conditions. As a result, tuen Mun Road (Kowloon bound) was observed to be congested in the morning.
TD will follow up with relevant bus and Green Minibus Bus (GMB) operators on additional standby bus/GMBs for routes identified to have longer waiting time this morning with a view to strengthen services on September 4, when most schools will resume normal after the commencement of the new school term.
The ETCC will be activated again on September 4 to monitor the traffic and transport situation and field observers will also be dispatched to various locations to ensure smooth transport arrangement.
End/Friday, September 1, 2000
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