New Bus-Bus Interchange scheme for Ma On Shan residents

The Transport Department announced today (March 23) that with effect from Friday (March 25), KMB and NWFB will jointly introduce a Bus-Bus Interchange Scheme between cross-harbour Route 680/680P and 111 for the convenience of passengers travelling between Ma On Shan and Central.

Hong Kong-bound passengers travelling on Route 680/680P from Ma On Shan to Hong Kong Island can use Octopus cards to change to Route 111 (Ping Shek - Central [Macau Ferry Pier]) for free at the bus stop outside 168 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai within two and a half hours of boarding the first bus. This Bus-Bus Interchange scheme is also applicable to the special departures of Route 680 from Chung On Bus Terminus/Chevalier Garden Bus Terminus.

Ma On Shan-bound passengers from Central can use Octopus cards to travel on Route 111 to change to Route 680 at Admiralty (East) Bus Terminus, paying a discounted fare of $7.50, within an hour of boarding the first bus. In effect, the total fare will be the same as the current fare of Route 680.

From March 25 onward, the terminus of Route 680/680P on Hong Kong Island will be relocated from Central (Macau Ferry Pier) to Admiralty (East) Bus Terminus. Route 680X (Ma On Shan - Central (Macau Ferry Pier)) will maintain its terminus at the Macau Ferry Bus Terminus. Passengers can take Route 680X during the peak hours to travel between the two districts.

A Transport Department spokesman said the new arrangements would help relieve traffic congestion in Central and improve the environment, as well as maintaining service choices for passengers.

"Relevant transport operators have posted notices at bus stops and inside bus compartments to inform passengers of the adjustments," he noted.

Members of the public can obtain details of the adjustments from the Transport Department's hotline 2804 2600 and the department's website http://www.td.gov.hk/index.aspx?section=13&lang=1&type=3&district=14

Ends/Wednesday, March 23, 2005