Traffic on Monday busier than usual

    He said that it was probably because of the bad weather and more goods vehicles gradually having resumed their usual services when the Mainland's Golden Week holidays finished.

    On May 9, from midnight to 8pm, the number of vehicles using the Cross Harbour Tunnel (CHT) dropped by about 16%, which was a fall of around 15,406 vehicles and the number of vehicles using the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC) rose by around 14%, which was an increase of about 5,096 vehicles compared with a normal Monday. Meanwhile, the number of vehicles using the Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) dropped by around 20%, a fall of about 12,725 vehicles.

    The Transport Department spokesman stressed that with more goods vehicles resuming service and the weather continuing to worsen, cross-harbour traffic was expected to be busy. He called on motorists to pay attention to road traffic, to drive carefully and be patient. The department would continue to monitor the traffic, especially cross-harbour traffic and keep on reviewing its contingency arrangements and make necessary adjustments if required.

    "The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre would maintain close communications with the Police Force, franchised bus companies and management companies of tunnels and respond promptly if needed," the spokesman said.

    The department appealed to members of the public to continue to:

* plan their trips early, allow more time for travel and choose the most suitable route;

* pay attention to the weather and check traffic conditions by listening to radio/TV broadcasts or by visiting the Transport Department website before starting their journey;

* allow more time to travel to examination centres when attending public examinations;

* use public transport, in particular the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR), as far as possible;

* avoid using the CHT during peak hours and use alternate routes when serious congestion along major roads to the CHT occurs;

* be patient and comply with directions given by frontline Police officers.

    Members of the public can call 2804 2600 or 1823 for enquiries.

Ends/Monday, May 9, 2005