TD reminds public of WTO HKMC transport arrangements
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 11) reminded members of the public on the special transport and traffic arrangements during the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference (HKMC) of the World Trade Organization.
A spokesman for the department said a closed area would be set up between December 12 and 19 in view of the HKMC; public procession will also be held on 13 and 18. During the period, TD and the Police will implement special transport and traffic arrangements in relevant districts.
The spokesman hoped the public would understand that traffic on Hong Kong Island might be more congested during the HKMC and urged people to plan the journey well in advance, use public transports as far as possible and try to avoid driving to the relevant districts, especially roads in Island north.
TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre Joint Steering Mode has been in operation since December 10 to closely monitor the traffic situations and handle incidents of transport, and co-ordinate the announcement of information on traffic and public transport services .
The department has produced a leaflet, with detailed information of various special traffic and transport arrangements, which will be issued to the public through the department's Licensing Offices, public transport organisations, tunnel companies and Home Affairs Department.
TD has also set up a special hotline: 1834567, available between now and December 19, for enquiries on the most updated information on special traffic and transport arrangements during the HKMC period. People can also make use of the hotline to obtain the information by fax or contact hotline servicing staff. The information will also be uploaded onto the department website www.td.gov.hk for easy reference. During the period, TD's general hotline: 28042600 will continue to provide service for general enquiries as usual.
The department will make regular updating of information for the media for immediate announcement to the public.
Main points of special traffic and transport arrangements during the HKMC are as follows:
- two ferry services: Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai- Hung Hom will be suspended from shortly before 2 pm;
- 29 bus routes used to run via Wan Chai north will start to be diverted from 3 pm to Gloucester Road or Hennessy Road. Tunnel bus route no. 117 will run directly to the Cross Harbour Tunnel instead of via Wan Chai north;
- 15 bus routes will be diverted from Wan Chai north to the bus stop at Hennessy Road near Stewart Road/ Fleming Road;
- the terminus of the cross-boundary coach service between Wan Chai and Huanggang will be relocated to Central (Macau Ferry) Bus Terminus;
- taxi stands on Expo Drive East and inside Wan Chai Ferry Pier Concourse, as well as cross harbour taxi stand on Harbour Road will be suspended;
- about 300 parking spaces on Expo Drive East, Lung King Street, Hung Hing Road, Hing Fat Street Victoria Car Park, Tung Lo Wan Road, Jaffe Road, Luard Road, Stewart Road and Lockhart Road will be suspended;
- pedestrian zones on Lockhart Road (east of Cannon Street), East Point Road, Great George Street, Pak Sha Road and Lee Garden Road will be temporarily rescinded from 12 noon on December 11 to 12 midnight on December 18.
The spokesman also appealed to motorists to use Eastern Harbour Crossing or Western Harbour Crossing as far as possible to alleviate the traffic at Cross Harbour Tunnel. The two tunnels will offer toll concession from December 13 to December 18.
In addition, as public procession will be held on December 13 and 18, TD and the Police will implement special traffic and transport measures in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Queensway and Central. People can obtain detailed information from TD hotline and website. They are advised to take note of the latest radio/TV announcements and advice by the Police officers on site during the time.
The tolls of Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) and Western Harbour Crossing (WHC) will be adjusted downward between December 13 and December 18, 2005 as follows:-
Vehicle Type EHC WHC
Private Cars $20 $30
Taxis $20 $30
Light Goods Vehicles $30 $45*
Medium Goods Vehicles $40 $65*
Heavy Goods Vehicles $60 $90*
*Each additional axle in excess of 2 is required to pay $30 per axle.
*Only applicable to users paid by cash and autotoll.
Ends/Sunday, December 11, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:20