TD reminds public of WTO HKMC transport arrangements on December 14
The Transport Department (TD) today reminded members of the public on the special transport and traffic arrangements on December 14 relating to the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation.
The spokesman said traffic had been normal since the set up of the closed area from 6 pm on December 12 in Wan Chai North.
The major special traffic and transport arrangements implemented in Wan Chai North are as follows:
- two ferry services: Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai- Hung Hom were suspended;
- 29 bus routes used to run via Wan Chai north were diverted to Gloucester Road or Hennessy Road. Tunnel bus route no. 117 has started running directly to the Cross Harbour Tunnel instead of via Wan Chai north;
- 15 bus routes were 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 was 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 were 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 were suspended;
- pedestrian zones on Lockhart Road (east of Cannon Street), East Point Road, Great George Street, Pak Sha Road and Lee Garden Road were temporarily rescinded until December 18.
The spokesman reminded the public 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 has been 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. More than 40,000 calls have been handled since the hotline was introduced.
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 continue to make regular updating of information for the media for immediate announcement to the public.
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 are offering toll concession until December 18.
As there might be public processions in the coming few days, 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 spokesman noted that to facilitate the protest march on December 13, sections of roads around Victoria Park and the Cargo Handling Area were temporarily closed. These included Great George Street, East Point Road, sections of Lockhart Road between East Point Road and Tonnochy Road, sections of Percival Street between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road, sections of Canal Road West and Marsh Road Flyover between Jaffe Road.
The Police had also temporarily closed sections of roads including northbound lane of Fleming Road, Tonnochy Road Flyover at Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road heading to Wan Chai North.
During road closures, eight bus routes and nine GMB routes were temporarily diverted.
Traffic in Wan Chai district in the evening was generally normal.
The tolls of Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) and Western Harbour Crossing (WHC) have been adjusted downward from 0000 hours on December 13 until December 18, 2005. Details are 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/Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:34