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The Transport Department (TD) today (November 4) said that the traffic situation continues to be affected by the closures of a number of roads in Central district and Causeway Bay due to the occupation movement. In order to alleviate traffic congestion on Hong Kong Island, the pedestrian precincts at Chater Road in Central and East Point Road in Causeway Bay are suspended to allow traffic flow until further notice. The TD reminded members of the public and motorists to pay attention to the arrangements.
To improve the pedestrian environment, the TD set up various pedestrian precincts in the territory. A section of Chater Road between Pedder Street and Jackson Road in Central was originally a pedestrian precinct from 7am to midnight on Sundays and public holidays. To alleviate traffic congestion caused by the occupation movement in Central district, the Chater Road pedestrian precinct has been suspended to allow traffic flow.
The section of Yee Wo Street eastbound between East Point Road and Sugar Street in Causeway Bay has been illegally occupied over the past month, seriously affecting public transport services and traffic. To lessen traffic load in the vicinity, the arrangements of the pedestrian precinct in Causeway Bay at Lockhart Road east of Cannon Street, East Point Road, and Great George Street west of Paterson Street originally from 4pm to midnight on Mondays to Fridays and from noon to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, is suspended to allow traffic flow.
Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay and Harcourt Road in Central district are both major trunk roads in their respective areas, and Yee Wo Street is also part of the tramway. The blockage of the tram line severs the tramway service between the eastern and western parts of Hong Kong Island and prevents passengers from commuting between the two sides of Hong Kong Island conveniently. Currently, the tram service between Percival Street and Paterson Street is still suspended. Hong Kong Tramways has already taken measures proactively, including operating tram services in sections, providing a free circular tram route in the section near Victoria Park and offering free same-day tram transfer service, to minimise any inconvenience caused to passengers by the currently hampered service. Even so, blockages of roads still severely affect the already bustling traffic in Hong Kong. Protesters are urged again to peacefully retreat from illegally occupied roads to let the public transport services and traffic return to normal.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 221 bus routes are still affected today with eight bus routes suspended and 213 bus routes diverted. Among the affected bus routes, 80 routes travelling via Mong Kok are diverted due to the closure of a number of road sections in Mong Kok. A total of 20 green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted or suspended or with service adjusted. The MTR Corporation Limited continues to increase services for all urban lines to cope with passenger demand.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and public transport services. For details of road closure, traffic diversion, suspension and route diversion of green minibus services, please refer to the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). Regarding temporary traffic arrangements for bus routes, please refer to the following bus companies' websites for details:
For routes of Citybus and New World First Bus: www.nwstbus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/OC2014/TAA.htm
For routes of Kowloon Motor Bus: 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 journeys.
Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:42
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