New Bus-Bus Interchange Scheme for Ma On Shan residents

The Transport Department today (March 31) reminded passengers that from March 25, 2005, KMB and NWFB had jointly introduced a Bus-Bus Interchange Scheme between cross-harbour Route 680/680P and 111 on Hong Kong Island 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!VCentral (Macau Ferry Pier)) for free at the bus stop outside No 168 Hennessy Road in Wan Chai within two hours and 30 minutes after boarding the first bus. This BBI scheme also applies 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 one hour after boarding the first bus. In effect, the total fare will be the same as the current fare of Route 680.

Meanwhile, the terminus of Route 680/680P on Hong Kong Island has been relocated from Central (Macau Ferry Pier) to Admiralty (East) Bus Terminus. Route 680X (Ma On Shan!VCentral (Macau Ferry Pier)) will maintain its terminus at the Macau Ferry Pier Bus Terminus in Central. Passengers can take Route 680X during the peak hours to travel between the two districts.

A spokesman for Transport Department 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," he said.

People can also obtain details of the adjustments from the Transport Department's hotline 2804 2600 and the department's website http://www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/notice/specialtravel/busntshatin_index.html

Ends/Thursday, March 31, 2005