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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received a total of 4,195 complaints and suggestions for the period from April 1 to June 30, 2005. Among these, 38 were purely suggestions. The total number of cases recorded increased by 23.1% compared with 3,409 cases in the previous quarter.
As in previous quarters, the major areas of complaints and suggestions were related to public transport services (71%), enforcement matters (15%) and traffic conditions (9%).
The number of complaints and suggestions on public transport services increased by 20.5% from 2,473 in the previous quarter to 2,979 in this quarter.
The number of complaints and suggestions on franchised bus services increased from 607 in the previous quarter to 719 in this quarter. Complaints and suggestions on public light bus services increased from 555 in the previous quarter to 623 in this quarter. Cases related to taxi services increased from 1,221 in the previous quarter to 1,530 in this quarter. The number of complaints and suggestions on rail services increased from 73 in the previous quarter to 85 in this quarter. Cases related to ferry services increased from nine in the previous quarter to 13 in this quarter.
Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions increased from 307 in the last quarter to 357 in this quarter. Complaints about road maintenance increased from 67 in the last quarter to 103 in this quarter. The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 488 to 647.
All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU were referred to the relevant authorities and government departments for follow-up action.
During the period under review, investigations into 4,365 cases were completed. Of these, 2,858 cases (65%) were found to be substantiated, 252 cases (6%) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1,255 cases (29%) were not pursuable due to lack of evidence. For the substantiated cases, the relevant government departments/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 organisations took on board 42 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 at the Appendix.
Members of the public may make their complaints or suggestions to TCU by dialling the hotline (2889 9999) (voice mail service after office hours), by fax (2577 1858), by e-mail (info@tcu.gov.hk) or by filling in a complaint form downloaded from the TCU web-site (http://www.info.gov.hk/tcu).
Appendix
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Public Suggestions Taken on Board by Relevant Authorities
(April - June 2005)
I. Public Transport Services
* Relocate a bus stop at Wa Shun Street to facilitate passengers.
* Add bus stops at Sai Sha Road to facilitate passengers.
* Add a bus stop at Lei Yue Mun Road to facilitate passengers.
* Revise the queuing arrangement at the taxi stand at Admiralty to facilitate passengers.
* Enlarge a bus stopping area at Lei Tung Estate Road to facilitate passengers.
II. Traffic Management
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Salisbury Road, Lyttelton Road, Robinson Road, Des Voeux Road Central, King's Road, Shu Kuk Street, Cameron Road, Chuk Yuen Road, Tonkin Street, Knight Street, Canton Road and Kam Ying Road.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at Wai Yip Street and Plover Cove Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Salisbury Road and Tin Hau Temple Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Extend a "No Stopping Restriction" at Lai Chi Kok Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Man Yiu Street and Science Museum Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Add a road marking at Thomson Road to deter illegal parking.
* Install railings and/or steel bollards at Ngau Chi Wan Street and Jat's Incline to deter illegal parking.
* Remove a section of railings at Salvation Army Street to facilitate motorists.
* Add street lights at Wai Fat Road to facilitate road users.
* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Wang Wa Street to facilitate motorcyclists.
* Install railings at Drake Street to deter taxis from driving onto the pavement.
* Add double white lines at Cha Kwo Ling Road to regulate lane cutting activities.
* Add traffic lights at Cheung Yee Street to improve road safety.
* Add "Stop Lines" at the head of the taxi stand at Admiralty to improve road safety.
* Add a "No Left Turn" traffic sign at Nathan Road as a reminder to motorists.
* Convert an "Ahead Only" arrow road marking into an "Ahead, Turn Left or Turn Right" one at Austin Road to improve traffic flow.
* Add a "Give Way" Line at Tsun Yip Street to better guide motorists.
* Adjust road markings at Argyle Street to better guide motorists.
* Add traffic signs at Gloucester Road to alert motorists of merging traffic lanes ahead.
Ends/Thursday, September 15, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:36
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