Disneyland traffic and transport arrangements

    Following the smooth opening of Disneyland Resort Line in phase 1 of the phased opening, the Transport Department, HK Police and Tourism Commission today (August 11) jointly held a press conference about the details for phase 2.

    “ After the commissioning of the Disneyland Resort Line on August 1, we will enter into phase two of implementing the arrangements from August 16 to September 11, 2005,” the Acting Deputy Commissioner for Transport, Mr Stephen Ip said today.

    “ Transport infrastructure including all public roads; Disneyland Resort Public Transport Interchange; Disney car/coach parks; and Disneyland Resort Pier,” he said.

    The Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre (ILRC) will also be open to the public from August 16.  In view of the possible popularity of the facility, special traffic arrangements will be implemented to ensure smooth flow of traffic around the recreation centre.  

    The public roads in Penny’ s Bay including the Magic Road surrounding the recreation centre will be “ no-stopping” zones.  The drop-off areas will be temporarily closed until further notice.  As the recreation centre is about a 20-minute walk from the public transport interchange and in view of the summer heat, people should take the franchised bus Route no. “ R8” from Lantau Link Toll Plaza, or Route no. “ R8A” from the Disneyland Resort Public Transport Interchange (PTI) to the recreation centre.

    This outdoor recreational facility will be open year-round, and visitors can take their time to plan their trip.  Visitors are also encouraged to consider if the 1.5 km walk around the Inspiration Lake will be a challenge for them, especially for the senior citizens and young children.

    The public transport interchange is situated north of the HKD, where bus termini, taxi pick-up/drop off areas, toilets and guest relations centre are located.

    At the west of the interchange is the coach park, which can accommodate around 300 coaches.  Designated pick-up /drop-off areas for Rehabus are also available for people with disabilities.  

    The car park is located at the east of the interchange.  Around 1,100 private cars and 50 motorcycles can be accommodated.  Holders of “ Disabled Person’ s Parking Permit” can make use of the facility at the designated parking bays near the entrance of HKD.

    The Disneyland Resort Pier is a public pier connected to HKD by the Park Promenade which is about 15 minutes walking distance.  Private vessels, yachts and tour vessels can use the facility free of charge round-the-clock.  

    Mr Ip said the following transport modes would start services on August 16:

* Franchised bus - six franchised bus routes R8, R11, R21, R22, R33, R42 will operate to/from HKD.  R8 runs between HKD and Lantau Link Toll Plaza for visitors taking Airport/Tung Chung (‘ A’ and ‘ E’ ) bus routes to take interchanges.

* Taxi – Urban, New Territories and Lantau taxis can provide services at HKD. The Government has amended the statutory operating areas of NT taxis to allow them to carry passengers to/from HKD via designated routings.

* Non-franchised bus – Non-franchised bus operators having valid Passenger Service Licence Certificates and any necessary schedule of service issued by TD can provide service to/from HKD.

    In addition, for cross boundary transport service, KCRC will operate a “ Rail-bus” service for Mainland visitors to travel between the Lo Wu Control Point and HKD via Sheung Shui.  The HKSAR and Mainland authorities have also issued 60 additional quotas for cross-boundary coach services to/from Disneyland via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point.  These services will commence operation in September to tie in with the opening of the HKD.

    “ From September 12 onward, the HKD and all facilities in Penny’ s Bay will be open to the public with sufficient transport infrastructure and services,” Mr Ip said.

    On crowd control, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police, Ms Lo Suk-ching said  HKD starts rehearsal days from August 16, during which only holders of admission tickets can enter the theme park.  "To avoid overcrowding, Police do not encourage visitors without admission tickets to go to the Penny’ s Bay hastily on rehearsal days, although some public facilities are open,” Ms Lo said.

    “ Police will implement crowd control measures.  These include one lane pedestrian flow on the section of Park Promenade between MTR DRL Station and the HKD entrance.  The whole road section will accommodate 27,000 people.  Moreover, visitors to the HKD will be separated from visitors to other public facilities. ”

    “ We hope people can be patient and follow the direction of police officers; and staff of the HKD and MTR on the spot,” Ms Lo said.

    Acting Superintendent of Police, Mr Chung Ling-wing, talked about the traffic arrangements for the commissioning of the HKD.

    “ Traffic Police will monitor conditions in the vicinity of the Penny’ s Bay, North Lantau Highway (NLH) and the entrance of Tsing Ma Bridge,” Mr Chung said.

    “ In case of any incidents leading to traffic congestions at the HKD and on the NLH, Police will close the access to the HKD from the Highway.”

    Mr Chung urged people to make use of public transport services to the theme park, but said drivers should pay heed to the latest traffic conditions through tunnel; and the overhead variable display signs at Tsing  Ma Control Area and along Route 3.

    A joint command centre will be operated at HKD after the commissioning of the theme park to monitor transport and crowd conditions.  Composed of representatives from HKD, Police, TD and the Tourism Commission, the centre will also co-ordinate any necessary action to relieve any traffic problems or crowding situations.

    To effectively handle transport incidents, the Government and the Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd have formulated contingency plans to cope with different emergency situations.

    For publicity, Tourism Commission and Transport Department have jointly produced an information booklet to introduce the opening arrangements of the HKD and the various public facilities in details and 300,000 booklets will be printed.  

    Moreover, an Announcement of the Public Interests (API) on the transport arrangements will be broadcast on buses; as well as KCR/MTR trains and their station platforms.  TD will also produce information flyers about the arrangements of taxi operation at the HKD for taxi drivers.

    Details of the transport arrangements have been uploaded onto TD’ s website www.td.gov.hk.  For telephone enquiry, people can dial a hotline 2804 2600.  Please refer to Tourism Commission’ s website www.hkdisneyland.gov.hk for planning your trip.

    Also speaking in the press conference today were Acting Principal Transport Officer, Mr Lo Yat-cheung; the Assistant Commissioner for Tourism, Miss Winky So; and the Director of Park Operations and Industrial Engineering, the Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd., Mr Andrew Bolstein.  

Ends/Thursday, August 11, 2005