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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 4,501 complaints and suggestions in the first quarter of 2012. Among these, 90 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents a decrease of 4 per cent as compared with 4,689 cases in the previous quarter but a slight increase of 0.5 per cent when compared with 4,480 cases in the same quarter of 2011.
The complaints and suggestions were mostly related to public transport services (87 per cent), enforcement matters (8 per cent) and traffic conditions (3 per cent).
The number of cases on public transport services decreased by 1.6 per cent from 4,003 in the previous quarter to 3,938 in the first quarter of 2012. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions dropped from 146 in the last quarter to 119. Cases about road maintenance decreased from 58 in the last quarter to 38. The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters also dropped from 452 to 372.
All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant government departments and public transport operators for follow-up action.
During the period under review, investigations into 5,164 cases were completed. Of these, 3,403 cases (66 per cent) were found to be substantiated, 240 cases (5 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1,521 cases (29 per cent) were not pursuable due to lack of information.
For the substantiated cases, the relevant government departments and public transport operators have either taken steps to rectify the situation or are considering possible solutions to the problems identified.
During the quarter, the relevant government departments and public transport operators took on board 23 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 in the Appendix.
Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email 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 Government Departments/Public Transport Operators
(January to March 2012)
I. Public Transport Services
Convert part of a loading/unloading bay near a bus stop at Long Ping Road into footpath to facilitate passengers' queuing.
II. Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at Nam Long Shan Road and Fleming Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Extend the effective hours of "No Stopping Restriction" at Electric Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Modify a traffic sign at Admiralty (West) Bus Terminus to avoid confusion to motorists.
* Relocate a traffic sign at Siu Sai Wan Road to improve the sight line of motorists.
* Prohibit entry of vehicles longer than 7 metres into Honiton Road to improve road safety.
* Relocate bus stops at King's Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Widen a traffic lane at Drake Street to improve traffic flow.
* Widen and skew a pedestrian crossing at King's Road to improve pedestrian flow.
* Relocate a traffic signal pole at Caine Road and a fire hydrant at Tonnochy Road to avoid causing obstruction to pedestrians.
Kowloon
* Add a direction sign at Kai Cheung Road Flyover to better guide motorists.
* Install bollards at Yan Cheung Road and Ferry Street to improve road safety.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at Lei Muk Road and Hoi Hing Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Modify the mode of operation of traffic lights at Ma On Shan Road and Kam Ying Road to improve road safety.
* Extend "No Stopping Restriction" at Yuk Tai Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Relax restriction and add an "Except for School Bus" traffic sign at Tam Kon Chau Road to facilitate school buses' access.
* Add traffic signs at Chui Ling Road to better guide motorists.
* Add "Slow" road markings at Wu Kai Sha Station Public Transport Interchange entrance to remind bus drivers to drive slowly and observe the pedestrian crossing ahead.
* Modify road markings at Yeung Tsing Road to improve road safety.
* Erect concrete barriers at Mei Yuen Street to deter illegal parking.
Ends/Monday, May 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:30
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