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    The Transport Department will activate the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre tomorrow (May 3) from 6 am to monitor the traffic condition on the first working day after the Eastern Harbour Tunnel (EHC) toll rise.  

    The Centre will maintain close communication between the Police Force, franchised bus companies and the management companies of the tunnels and response to situations.

    Cross-harbour traffic was normal on the first two days, which was a Sunday and a public holiday after the toll increase. For the whole day of May 1, the traffic volume via the Cross Harbour Tunnel (CHT) has risen by about 5 per cent or 6,323 vehicles and the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC) has increased by about 17 per cent or 4,336 vehicles. The number of vehicles using the Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) has decreased by about 39 per cent or 25,046 vehicles, compared to a normal Sunday in April 2005.

    On May 2, from midnight to 8 pm, the number of vehicles using the CHT has dropped by about 6 per cent, which was 5,859 vehicles and the WHC has risen by around 3 per cent which was 656 vehicles when compared with a normal public holiday. On the other hand, the number of vehicles using EHC has dropped by 25,664 which was around 47 per cent.

    A Transport Department (TD) spokesman said as a result of changes in traveling habits of motorists and road users, the department anticipated that CHT traffic would be congested on May 3, the first working day after the EHC toll increase.

    The Department would continue to closely monitor the traffic situation and communicate closely with parties concerned. TD would remain vigilant over the next few days and keep on reviewing its contingency arrangements and make adjustments when needed.  

    The spokesman appealed to the public that

* They should plan their trips early and allow more time for travel and choose their most suitable routeing.

* They should also attend to the weather condition and check traffic conditions by listening to radio/TV broadcast or visit TD website before starting their journey.

* Students attending public examinations should allow more time to travel to their examination centres.

* Use public transport, in particular, MTR and KCR.

* Avoiding using CHT in peak hours, and use alternate routeings when serious congestion along major roads to CHT occurs. Be patient and compile with directions given by frontline Police officers.

* For enquiries, please call 1823.

Ends/Monday, May 2, 2005

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