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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 19,308 complaints and suggestions in 2008. Among these, 186 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases recorded a decrease of 4.4% compared with the 20,190 cases in 2007. The major areas of concern were related to public transport services (80%), enforcement matters (13%) and traffic conditions (5%).
The number of complaints and suggestions on public transport services decreased slightly by 0.3% from 15,402 in 2007 to 15,352 in 2008.
The number of complaints and suggestions on franchised bus services decreased from 3,367 in 2007 to 3,122 in 2008. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer cases about passenger services and facilities, improper driving behaviour and conduct and performance of staff. Cases concerning residents’ services increased from 51 in 2007 to 54 in 2008.
The number of complaints and suggestions on public light bus services decreased from 3,629 in 2007 to 3,248 in 2008. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer complaints about improper driving behaviour and conduct and performance of staff.
Cases related to taxi services increased from 7,717 in 2007 to 8,005 in 2008. The increase was mainly due to more complaints about taxi driver malpractice, especially those related to overcharging, conduct and performance of drivers and failure to take the most direct route.
Complaints and suggestions on rail services increased from 576 in 2007 to 860 in 2008. The increase was mainly attributable to more complaints about audio-visual broadcasting on Mass Transit Railway trains. Cases related to ferry services increased slightly from 62 in 2007 to 63 in 2008.
The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters decreased from 2,968 in 2007 to 2,500 in 2008. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 1,184 in 2007 to 897 in 2008. Complaints about road maintenance decreased from 318 in 2007 to 291 in 2008.
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 in 2008 covering the period between October 1 and December 31, 2008, the unit received 4,534 complaints and suggestions. Among these, 47 were just suggestions. The total number of cases represents a decrease of 17.2% compared with the 5,475 cases in the previous quarter, and a decrease of 10.2% compared with the 5,049 cases in the same quarter of 2007.
The complaints and suggestions were mostly related to public transport services (82%), enforcement matters (12%) and traffic conditions (4%). 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 69 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.
People may make their 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
Public Suggestions Taken on Board by Relevant Authorities
(October – December 2008)
I. Public Transport Services
* Add a green minibus stop at Kai Cheung Road to meet the demand of passengers.
* Install railings at a bus stop at Princess Margaret Road to facilitate passengers.
* Re-arrange bus stops at Castle Peak Road – Tsuen Wan to facilitate passengers.
* Convert a taxi drop-off bay to a taxi pick-up/drop-off bay at Sau Fu Street to facilitate passengers.
* Install railings at a taxi stand outside MTR Tung Chung Station to facilitate passengers.
* Provide more seats at the platform of MTR Sunny Bay Station to facilitate passengers.
II. Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion : Connaught Place, Bonham Road, Old Peak Road, Man Yiu Street and Man Cheung Street.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic light at Electric Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Add a secondary traffic light at Man Yiu Street to facilitate motorists.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Pok Fu Lam Road to improve traffic flow.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the following locations to prevent vehicle obstruction : slip road to Harcourt Road, Kau U Fong and Aberdeen Street.
* Add traffic signs and road markings at Babington Path to remind motorists to drive carefully.
* Add a traffic sign at Wing Lok Street to alert motorists of "No Right Turn" restriction.
* Relocate traffic signs at Lyndhurst Terrace to avoid confusion to motorists.
* Relocate traffic signs at Taikoo Shing Road closer to a pedestrian crossing to remind motorists.
* Add a double white line at Albany Road to improve road safety.
* Add a signalised pedestrian crossing with audible signals at Aldrich Bay Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Convert parking spaces for coaches to a loading/unloading area at Tai Hang Road to facilitate motorists.
Kowloon
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at Lam Hing Street and Junction Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Increase the junction intergreen time of traffic lights at Wylie Road to improve traffic flow.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at Hoi Yuen Road and Chatham Road South to facilitate pedestrians.
* Relocate a traffic light at Tong Mi Road to facilitate motorists.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Sai Yee Street and Shing Yip Street to improve traffic flow.
* Add a loading/unloading bay and extend "No Stopping Restriction" at Kai Shun Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the turning arc of Shamchun Street and Nam Tau Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add a solid-cum-broken line at Chatham Road North to regulate lane-cutting activities.
* Add road markings at the public transport interchange at Hung Hom Ferry Concourse to remind motorists to slow down and pedestrians to beware of traffic.
* Add a "No Left Turn" traffic sign and "Turn Right" arrow road marking at Yuk Wah Street to better guide motorists.
* Convert a "Turn Right" arrow road marking to an "Ahead Only" one at Tong Mi Road to improve traffic flow.
* Install railings outside Hung Hom Ferry Pier to prevent jaywalking.
* Modify railings at To Kwa Wan Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Nam Kok Road and Prince Edward Road West to facilitate motorcyclists.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion : Po Lam Road, Po Fung Road, Clear Water Bay Road, Tsing Yi Road West, Tuen Mun Road, Ching Hiu Road, Castle Peak Road – Tsuen Wan and Wong Chu Road.
* Adjust the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to improve road safety: Lai King Hill Road, King Lai Path and Lai Wan Road.
* Add a traffic light at Wo Yi Hop Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Adjust the signal setting of traffic light at On Ming Street to facilitate pedestrians.
* Extend the effective hours of "No Stopping Restriction" at Heung Sze Wui Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Modify "No Stopping Restriction" at Sha Tsui Road to facilitate loading/unloading facilities.
* Add road marking and traffic sign at Ngan Shing Street to remind motorists of a road bend ahead and to slow down.
* Add "Keep Clear" road markings at Fuk Hang Tsuen Road and Wang Lung Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add lane road markings at Long Yat Road to better guide motorists.
* Delete a double white line at the junction of Long Wo Road and Long Yat Road to facilitate motorists.
* Modify road markings at Yuen Long On Lok Road to improve road safety.
* Install railings at Lau Fau Shan Road to improve road safety.
* Install railings at Lei Muk Road and Ping Ha Road to deter driving onto pavement.
* Add a signalised pedestrian crossing at Tai Ho Road to improve road safety.
* Add an illuminated bollard to a safety island at Sai Lau Kok Road to facilitate motorists.
* Lay tactile warning blocks at the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Yi Shing Square and Kong Pui Street to facilitate visually impaired pedestrians.
* Relocate a green minibus stop at Chuen Lung Street to facilitate general loading/unloading activities.
* Install street name plates at Hong Kong – Shenzhen Western Corridor to facilitate motorists.
* Widen pavement at Ching Shing Road to facilitate pedestrians.
Ends/Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:54
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