New Cross-boundary coach services operate smoothly

New arrangements on cross-boundary coach services implemented from noon today (August 16) have been operating smoothly in general.

The inter department Joint Operation Centre and the Transport Department¡¦s Emergency Transport Coordination Centre have been activated from this morning to monitor the first day operation of the new services.

As at 5.30 pm today, no major crowd problem was observed and no long queues were found at the six terminus. The demand at the more popular terminus such as Mong Kok had been higher than the others and more trips were operated to cope with the demand. A table showing the number of trips operated in the first four hours has been appended below.

To ensure smooth and safe operation of the Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang control points, and unhindered freight traffic at all times, the Hong Kong and Mainland authorities have decided to adopt a two-pronged approach to better regulate the cross-boundary coach services using the Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang control points.

TD hence introduces six regulated cross-boundary coach routes plying between the Huanggang control point and various parts of Hong Kong, including Mong Kok, Yau Tsim, Kwun Tong, Wan Chai, Tsuen Wan and Kam Sheung Road West Rail Station. Enforcement actions against unauthorized operations, including prosecution against violation of Closed Road restrictions at the control point and inquiry against those operators who have breached licensing conditions will also be further enhanced.

A TD spokesman said: ¡§The six routes will have fixed stopping points, routings and service schedules. Except the Kam Sheung Road West Rail Station route, which operates in accordance with the service hours of the West Rail, they will operate 24 hours daily at 10 to 60-minute frequencies and charge fares from $20 to $50. Coaches running on these routes will have specific markings and clear destination signs for easy identification. Specific pick-up bays will be provided for these six routes at the Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang control points. Passengers are required to buy tickets at designated ticket-selling places before boarding and no cash or Octopus payment is allowed on board the coaches.

"Travellers should therefore pay attention to the newly approved routes and service details (terminating points and service schedules etc.), and the pre-booking and ticketing arrangements of the new services. For service details, travellers may visit TD website or call the Government hotline at 1823," he added.

The spokesman strongly advised travellers to familiarize themselves with the new service details as well as ticketing arrangements and plan their journeys well in advance. Using of other cross-boundary public transport modes, including the high-capacity boundary train services to Lo Wu, the Lok Ma Chau to Huanggang Cross Boundary Shuttle Bus Services (the Yellow Bus) or cross-boundary ferries should also be taken into consideration.

The spokesman stressed that the introduction of the new measures would improve the operation of the control points and cross-boundary traffic, and the efficiency of cross-boundary coach operation. Cross-boundary travellers would have properly regulated fixed-scheduled shuttle services and have orderly passage through the control points on both sides of the boundary.

The Hong Kong and Mainland authorities will continue to regularly review the operation of cross-boundary coach services to ensure a smooth and safe operation of the control points and the needs of cross-boundary travelers are suitably met.

Appendix

Cross-boundary coach service trip/passenger from 12 noon to 4 pm ¡V Northbound

Cross-boundary coach service trip/passenger from 1.30 to 5 pm ¡V Southbound

End/Monday, August 16, 2004