Students reminded to attend schools early on first school day

     The Transport Department today (August 28) reminded students to attend schools early on the first school day next Monday (September 1) as traffic was expected to be busier than normal.  

     A department spokesman said: "Students should familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken to school and allow more travelling time  on the first school day, especially if they are attending a new school this term.  Students living on the outlying islands or attending schools on the outlying islands should check the ferry schedules and the vessel types to be used on their intended ferry trips beforehand.

     Major public transport operators had been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to meet an upsurge in transport demand on the first school day.

     "The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 1," the spokesman said. "The department will maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. Staff will be deployed at various locations over the territory to observe and provide on-site information to the ETCC."

     People can obtain more information through the following hotlines and websites provided by the major public transport operators:

Operator              Hotline       Website
--------                   -------          -------

New World            2136 8888  http://www.nwfb.com.hk/
First Bus
CityBus                2873 0818  http://www.citybus.com.hk/
Kowloon Motor      2745 4466  http://www.kmb.com.hk/
Bus and Long
Win Bus
New Lantao Bus    2984 9848  http://www.newlantaobus.com/
New World            2131 8181  http://www.nwff.com.hk/
First Ferry
Hong Kong            2815 6063  http://www.hkkf.com.hk/
and Kowloon
Ferry

     Motorists are urged not to drive to the school areas if possible.  Drivers of nanny vans and school buses should avoid carrying excess passengers and leaving schoolchildren in vehicles unattended.  Parents should agree well in advance with drivers of nanny vans or school buses the location of picking up and dropping off their children.  No picking up and dropping off will be allowed in restricted zones.  

     People are advised to pay attention to  the latest transport and traffic news broadcast by radio and TV stations before leaving home. For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2804 2600.

Ends/Thursday, August 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:13