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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 20,190 complaints and suggestions in 2007. Among these, 186 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases recorded a slight decrease of 0.3% from the 20,248 cases in 2006. The major areas of concern were related to public transport services (76%), enforcement matters (15%) and traffic conditions (6%).
The number of complaints and suggestions on public transport services increased slightly by 0.5% from 15,323 in 2006 to 15,402 in 2007.
The number of complaints and suggestions on franchised bus services decreased from 3,420 in 2006 to 3,367 in 2007. There were 51 cases related to residents' services in 2007, which was the same as in 2006.
The number of complaints and suggestions on public light bus services decreased from 3,803 in 2006 to 3,629 in 2007. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer complaints about frequency/carrying capacity of green minibus services.
Cases related to taxi services increased from 7,051 in 2006 to 7,717 in 2007. The increase was mainly due to more complaints about taxi driver malpractice, especially those related to conduct and performance of drivers, failure to take the most direct route and overcharging.
Complaints and suggestions on rail services decreased from 942 in 2006 to 576 in 2007. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer complaints about audio-visual broadcasting on Mass Transit Railway trains operating on East Rail Line, West Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line. Cases related to ferry services increased slightly from 56 in 2006 to 62 in 2007.
The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters decreased from 3,035 in 2006 to 2,968 in 2007. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions increased from 1,154 in 2006 to 1,184 in 2007. Complaints about road maintenance decreased from 354 in 2006 to 318 in 2007.
The relevant government departments and public transport operators have introduced a series of measures to address the concerns raised by the complainants. The TCU will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of the new measures and suggest additional measures where necessary.
As regards the last quarter of 2007 covering the period between October 1 and December 31, 2007, the unit received 5,049 complaints and suggestions, of which 41 were pure suggestions. The number of cases recorded a decrease of 7.2% compared with 5,443 cases in the previous quarter, and a decrease of 3.7% compared with 5,244 cases in the same quarter in 2006.
The major areas of complaints and suggestions were related to public transport services (76%), enforcement matters (15%) and traffic conditions (6%). All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU were referred to the relevant authorities and government departments for follow-up action.
During the quarter, the relevant government departments and organisations took on board 34 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases where public suggestions have helped to bring about improvements is at the Appendix.
Members of the public may make suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service after office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by e-mail to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a complaint form downloaded from the TCU website, www.info.gov.hk/tcu.
Appendix
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Public Suggestions Taken on Board by Relevant Authorities
(October - December 2007)
I.Public Transport Services
* Relocate GMB stops at Murray Road and Sai Tso Wan Road to facilitate passengers.
* Rearrange railings at bus stops at Queensway to facilitate passengers.
* Add an opening in the railings at Lung Poon Street to facilitate passengers of residentsˇ¦ services.
II.Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at Hennessy Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Queen's Road East to improve traffic flow.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Hill Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Eastern Street to improve safety.
* Impose "No Right Turn" restriction at Wing Lok Street to improve traffic flow.
* Enlarge "Ahead Only" traffic signs at Belcher's Street to remind motorists.
* Add a yellow box at Shan Kwong Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
Kowloon
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Princess Margaret Road, La Salle Road, Boundary Street, Dianthus Road, Wan Wah Street and Ferry Street.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Hung Hom Road and Argyle Street to improve traffic flow.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the following locations to prevent vehicle obstruction: Tung Yan Street, Tai Nan Street, Nam Cheong Street, Kok Cheung Street, Wai On Street, Waterloo Road and Wai Ching Street.
* Add a traffic sign at Wai Wan Lane to remind motorists of a turning circle ahead.
* Add a "No U-turn" traffic sign at Wylie Road to remind motorists.
* Add "Keep Clear" road markings at Lancashire Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Convert an "Ahead Only or Turn Right" road marking to a "Turn Right" one at Tai Kok Tsui Road to improve traffic flow.
* Install backing boards behind traffic lights at Argyle Street and Cheung Sha Wan Road to facilitate motorists.
* Add a solid-cum-broken white line at Nathan Road to regulate lane-cutting activities.
* Shorten and advance a solid white line at West Kowloon Highway to facilitate motorists.
* Relocate a GMB stop at Kwong Wa Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic light at Fan Kam Road to facilitate motorists.
* Add a traffic sign at Tsing Tsuen Road to alert motorists of a "Stop" traffic sign ahead.
Ends/Thursday, March 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:45
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