*******************************************************
The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 6,056 complaints and suggestions in the fourth quarter of 2012. Among these, 118 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents a decrease of 6 per cent as compared with 6,445 cases in the previous quarter but an increase of 29.2 per cent when compared with 4,689 cases in the same quarter of 2011.
The complaints and suggestions received during the quarter were mostly related to public transport services (90 per cent), enforcement matters (6 per cent) and traffic conditions (2 per cent).
The number of cases on public transport services decreased by 6.6 per cent from 5,821 in the previous quarter to 5,437 in this quarter. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 168 in the last quarter to 149 in this quarter. Cases about road maintenance increased slightly from 48 in the last quarter to 52 in this quarter. The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 375 to 393.
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 5,698 cases were completed. Of these, 3,958 cases (69 per cent) were found to be substantiated, 193 cases (4 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1,547 cases (27 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 24 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases 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
--------
Public suggestions taken on board by relevant government departments/public transport operators
(October to December 2012)
I. Public Transport Services
* Extend the "No Stopping Restriction" zone at Argyle Street to a minibus stop to prevent other vehicles causing obstruction to passengers boarding/alighting from minibuses.
II. Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion/improve traffic flow: Connaught Road West, Mercury Street, Electric Road and Wong Nai Chung Gap Road.
* Add a traffic light at the junction of Ap Lei Chau Drive and Lei Tung Estate Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the following locations to prevent vehicle obstruction: Ice House Street, Kin Wah Street, Fort Street, Cheung Hong Street, North View Street and the junction of Cross Lane and Burrows Street.
* Add a traffic sign and road markings at Conduit Road to remind motorists of pedestrians crossing ahead.
* Add an "Ahead Only" traffic sign at Tung Hei Road to deter U-turn activities.
* Add double white lines at Wong Chuk Hang Road and Shouson Hill Road to deter U-turn activities.
* Widen the pavement and impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the junction of Fung Yip Street and Sheung On Street to improve road safety.
Kowloon
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the junction of Fat Tseung Street and Hang Cheung Street to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Cha Kwo Ling Road and Mody Road to deter illegal parking/prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add a "No Left Turn" traffic sign at Pok Man Street to remind motorists.
* Add a double white line at Hoi Ting Road to deter U-turn activities.
* Remove the staggered arrangement of a pedestrian crossing at Choi Hung Road to assist pedestrians crossing the road.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at Castle Peak Road-Tai Lam and the junction of Tuen Mun Road and Pui To Road to improve traffic flow.
* Adjust the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the junction of Tin Shui Road and Wetland Park Road to improve traffic flow.
* Extend the "No Stopping Restriction" zone at Chai Wan Kok Roundabout to improve traffic flow.
* Add a pedestrian crossing at Kwok Shui Road to assist pedestrians crossing the road.
* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Wan Hang Road to facilitate the parking of motorcycles.
Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:25
NNNN
