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The Transport Department (TD) today (September 28) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon for the National Day celebration events on October 1 (Saturday).
The special traffic and transport arrangements will include:
A. Traffic arrangements to be implemented for the following events:
(1) Flag Raising Ceremony cum National Day Reception
Expo Drive, Expo Drive Central and Expo Drive East in Wan Chai and Convention Avenue eastbound between Expo Drive and Expo Drive East will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 5.30am to 11am on October 1. The bus terminus and coach metered parking spaces at Expo Drive East, and the taxi stand at Expo Drive, will be suspended.
(2) National Day Fireworks Display
Road closure and traffic diversion will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island from 5pm at the Lower Peak Tram Station, Wan Chai, Central, part of the roads on the Peak and the Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street, and from 7pm in Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan in Kowloon until the crowd disperses and road closure is lifted.
B. Public transport services arrangements:
(1) Bus and Green Minibus (GMB) services
In connection to the road closures, some bus and GMB stops will be suspended or relocated. Bus and GMB routes operating in the road closure areas will be diverted. The services of some bus routes will be strengthened.
(2) MTR services
From 7pm to 11.30pm, Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line and Kwun Tong Line services will be strengthened with a three-minute headway; Tung Chung Line services between Hong Kong and Tsing Yi will be strengthened with a five-minute headway; and Tseung Kwan O Line services will be strengthened with a headway of four minutes between North Point and Po Lam, and 12 minutes between Tiu Keng Leng and Lohas Park respectively. In addition, West Rail Line services will be strengthened with a headway of four minutes from 9.30pm to 11.30pm.
(3) Tramways service
Normal holiday service will be operated and frequency of the tram services will be strengthened to meet passenger demand if necessary.
(4) Peak Tram service
The Peak Tram service will be strengthened from a 15-minute headway to an eight-minute headway to meet passenger demand if necessary.
(5) Central to Mid-levels Escalator and Walkway System
The service of Central to Mid-levels Escalator and Walkway System will be extended to 2am on October 2.
(6) Cross-boundary coach service
The terminus of the cross-boundary coach service between Wan Chai and Huanggang at the Wan Chai Ferry Bus Terminus will be suspended from 7.30pm until the road closure is lifted. The terminating point of the service will be relocated to Hennessy Road eastbound under O'Brien Road footbridge.
(7) Ferry services
Ferry companies will adjust the services for the holding of the celebration events.
The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the affected areas would be significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of the Police. People planning to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport services.
The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Motorists and the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.
Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:42
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