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In response to media enquiries about the protest of taxi drivers yesterday (March 1), which seriously affected the traffic along Garden Road, a Transport Department spokesman said today (March 2) the department's Emergency Transport Coordination Centre (ETCC) had stepped up monitoring after noting that the taxi trade would air its discontent towards the illegal operation of lights goods vehicles by conducting a slow drive to Murray Building.
The ETCC had been escalated to a joint steering mode from yesterday morning to monitor the traffic situation on Garden Road together with the Police. Transport Department officers were sent to the site to call on the drivers to express their views via the established channels.
From 7.30am yesterday, the ETCC constantly released traffic information to TV and radio stations. The Centre also liaised closely with public transport operators and on-site Police officers to implement emergency measures if and when necessary. The ETCC immediately released information on special transport arrangements and road diversions to motorists when some taxi drivers blocked Garden Road. Bus companies were also asked to divert bus routes to minimise the impact on traffic. With the coordination of various Government departments, vehicles were soon moved away and traffic on Garden Road was soon back to normal.
The Transport Department spokesman also appealed to the taxi trade, via the electronic media, to remain calm and to avoid causing inconvenience to the public.
Ends/Thursday, March 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:40
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