Public going to busy areas advised to use public transport services
The Transport Department today (December 28) reminded people going to busy commercial centres to take note of the special traffic and transport arrangements to be implemented to tie in with the New Year holidays celebrations and to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion.
A Transport Department spokesman said that roads in the vicinity of the main shopping areas such as Central District, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui were likely to be busy a few days before the holidays. People are advised to make use of public transport, avoid driving to busy areas and listen to the latest traffic news broadcast.
"Traffic in these areas will be busier than usual. Motorists will need to spend more time in finding the parking spaces. To ease the burden of traffic on roads, and to avoid delays, motorists are advised to use mass transit carriers such as the MTR. If there is a need to drive, they can consider parking their cars at the Transport Department multi-storey car parks located in the urban areas and change for public transport to get to their destinations," the spokesman said.
The Transport Department car parks in popular commercial centres in the urban area include Rumsey Street Car Park, City Hall Car Park, Murray Road Car Park, Star Ferry Car Park and Shau Kei Wan (Mong Lung Street) Car Park on Hong Kong Island; and Middle Road Car Park and Yau Ma Tei Car Park in Kowloon.
The spokesman also reminded motorists and pedestrians to pay attention to road safety during New Year holidays.
He said road closures and traffic diversions would be implemented, and roadside parking meters would be suspended where appropriate in the mentioned areas to facilitate celebratory activities. Motorists were advised to drive with care and patience in these busy areas and must not drive after consuming alcohol.
Police have launched a territory-wide campaign to enhance public awareness of road safety with focus on anti-drink driving from December 17 to January 1, 2007. Police officers from Police Regional Road Safety Teams will invite people to take voluntary breath tests and distribute publicity leaflets in bar areas to appeal to drivers not to drive after drinking. Strict enforcement action will be taken against offenders during the same period.
Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and three years' imprisonment and penalised 10 driving-offence points, or possible disqualification from driving.
The spokesman also urged pedestrians to observe traffic lights and walk on the footpath. He added that they should be considerate and patient, and follow any advice or instructions given by the Police.
"The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic situation on all major roads, such as Gloucester Road, Des Voeux Road Central, Queensway, Hennessy Road, Yee Wo Street, Jordan Road and Nathan Road to ensure smooth traffic flow," the spokesman said.
"On the New Year's Eve, road closures will be implemented in phases from the late afternoon in the vicinity of popular places for celebrating the countdown such as Lan Kwai Fong in Central, Times Square in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East. People are advised not to drive to these areas. Public transport operators will augment and extend their services to cater for extra demand."
Some bus and minibus services will be extended or augmented during the New Year holidays.
As for trains, the Mass Transit Railway (Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Tsueng Kwan O and Tung Chung Lines) and the Kowloon-Canton Railway East Rail (East Tsim Sha Tsui - Sheung Shui), Ma On Shan Rail, West Rail and Light Rail Routes 507, 614P, 615P, 705 and 706 will operate around the clock on December 31.
Hongkong Tramways, the Peak Tram and the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System will provide extended service, while ferry services between Central/Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will be extended, with additional sailings scheduled. On December 31, MTR Disneyland Resort Line will extend service to 3am the following day.
For those who intend to take Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus or the six Hong Kong-Huanggang cross boundary coach routes with fixed schedules and stopping points during the holidays, the Transport Department reminds passengers to plan their journeys and to travel by rail via Lo Wu Control Point as far as possible.
Many passengers are expected to travel via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point during the holidays. Passengers are advised to make their journeys during the less busy periods in late morning or early afternoon. As the waiting time for the cross-boundary bus services could be longer if traffic at the Lok Ma Chau crossing is busy, intending passengers should observe order and advice from the on-site staff. Passengers are advised to pay attention to radio/TV broadcast on traffic conditions.
The Transport Department will closely monitor local and cross-boundary traffic during the holidays and take appropriate action whenever necessary.
Details of special traffic arrangements during the New Year holidays can be found in the "Traffic Notices" on the department's homepage www.td.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, December 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:06