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The Transport Department (TD) today (October 20) said that since some major trunk roads such as Harcourt Road on Hong Kong Island are still illegally occupied, traffic was busy on several roads especially in the vicinity of Gloucester Road west bound in Wan Chai during peak hours this Monday morning. During traffic congestion, some bus passengers were found to have alighted from buses in the middle of the carriageways on Gloucester Road near Stewart Road, causing danger to themselves and other road users. The TD called on passengers to be patient and wait until the buses had pulled over near pavement before getting off in a safe manner.
Meanwhile, the TD and Police have continued to carry out a series of temporary traffic management measures to relieve traffic on Gloucester Road west bound. Appropriate traffic aids have been erected to guide motorists and motorists should follow the instruction of the Police on site. The TD and Police will continue to monitor the traffic changes and implement effective measures on traffic management as necessary.
Regarding Kowloon side, a number of road sections in Mong Kok, including Nathan Road south bound between Mong Kok Road and Dundas Street, Nathan Road north bound between Waterloo Road and Argyle Street, Argyle Street west bound between Nathan Road and Shanghai Street, and Shantung Street between Nathan Road and Tung Choi Street, are closed, leading to the diversion of a total of 85 bus routes which are travelling via Mong Kok.
The TD reminded members of the public that since the resumed bus services and other road-based public transport services are still affected by the traffic situation, their operation and frequencies have become unstable and have to be adjusted. Members of the public are advised to continue to set off early and allow more time for travelling, and pay attention to the TD and bus companies' latest announcement of traffic and public transport information. Members of the public should also use public transport and avoid driving to Hong Kong Island as far as possible because traffic on Hong Kong Island especially the affected districts is still very busy.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 226 bus routes are still affected today with nine bus routes suspended and 217 bus routes diverted. A total of 23 Green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted, suspended or with service adjusted. Tram services between Percival Street and Victoria Park remains suspended. The MTRCL continues to increase services of all urban lines.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and public transport services. Regarding temporary traffic arrangements for bus routes, please refer to bus companies' websites for details:
For routes of Citybus and New World First Bus (NWFB): www.nwstbus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/OC2014/TAA.htm
For routes of Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB): www.kmb.hk/en
As there will be updates on bus services from time to time due to traffic changes, members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest service arrangements announced by bus companies before starting their journey.
Ends/Monday, October 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:03
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