Transport services on first school days

A Transport Department spokesman said today (August 30) that as in past years, major transport operators had been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to meet the upsurge in transport demand from students on the first days back at school.

The department will activate the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) on September 1 to monitor the traffic situation and public transport services. There will be close liaison between the department and major public transport operators as well as other government departments. Transport Department staff will be deployed at various locations around the territory to observe and provide onsite information to the ETCC.

The spokesman reminded students to familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken and the traffic routeing to school and to allow more time for travel on the first school day, especially if they are attending a new school this term. Students living on outlying islands or attending schools on outlying islands are advised to check the ferry schedules and the vessel types to be used on their intended ferry trips beforehand.

All major public transport operators provide hotlines and websites to answer public enquiries.

	New World First Bus 2136 8888 www.nwfb.com.hk/
	CityBus 2873 0818 www.citybus.com.hk/
	Kowloon Motor Bus/ Long Win Bus 2745 4466 www.kmb.com.hk/
	New Lantao Bus 2984 9848 www.newlantaobus.com/
	New World First Ferry 2131 8181 www.nwff.com.hk/
	Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry 2815 6063 www.hkkf.com.hk/

In view of the possible congestion in school areas, general motorists should avoid these areas if possible.

Drivers of nanny vans and school buses have also been reminded to avoid carrying too many passengers and leaving school children unattended on vehicles.

Ends/Monday, August 30, 2004