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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 4,042 complaints and suggestions from April 1 to June 30, 2009. Among these, 48 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents an increase of 3.8% compared with 3,893 cases in the previous quarter but a decrease of 20.2% compared with 5,066 cases in the same quarter of 2008.
The complaints and suggestions were mostly related to public transport services (79%), enforcement matters (14%) and traffic conditions (4%).
The number of cases concerning public transport services decreased slightly by 0.03% from 3,187 in the previous quarter to 3,186 in this quarter. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions increased from 137 in the last quarter to 167 in this quarter. Cases concerning road maintenance increased from 50 in the last quarter to 57 in this quarter. The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters also rose from 474 to 572.
All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant authorities and government departments for follow-up action.
During the period under review, investigations into 3,707 cases were completed. Of these, 2,304 cases (62%) were found to be substantiated, 284 cases (8%) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1,119 cases (30%) 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 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 suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by e-mail 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 Authorities
(April - June 2009)
I. Public Transport Services
* Add a green minibus stop at Castle Peak Road – San Hui to meet the demand of passengers.
* Relocate a green minibus stop at Chai Wan Road to facilitate passengers.
* Add queue road markings at a bus stop at Hennessy Road to facilitate passengers.
* Extend a bus lay-by at Tai Chung Road to facilitate passengers.
* Adjust the direction of a cross-harbour taxi stand signage at Observatory Road to facilitate taxi passengers.
II. Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Revise the setting of the audible signals of traffic lights at the junction of Connaught Road Central/Hillier Street/Chung Kong Road to facilitate visually-impaired pedestrians.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the junction of Pak Sha Road and Yun Ping Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add a "No Right Turn" traffic sign at Harbour Road to remind motorists.
* Add road markings at the kerb side of Harbour Road to remind pedestrians to watch out for traffic.
* Widen pavements at First Street and Second Street to improve the sight-line for pedestrians.
* Modify railings at San Ha Street to prevent jaywalking and vehicle obstruction.
Kowloon
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion/improve traffic flow : San Ma Tau Street, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Tat Chee Avenue.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at San Ma Tau Street to facilitate pedestrians.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the following locations to prevent vehicle obstruction : Pak Tai Street, Fung Tak Road, Wang Kwong Road and Tat Chee Avenue.
* Relax "No Stopping Restriction" and add road markings at Sham Mong Road to facilitate loading/unloading activities.
* Add a traffic sign at Yu Chau Street to remind motorists of the no-stopping restriction.
* Modify lane road markings at Jordan Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Convert a "Turn Left Only" arrow road marking to a "Turn Left or Right" one at Granville Road to improve traffic flow.
* Adjust a stop line at Chatham Road South to improve the sight-line for motorists.
* Install street name plates at Fat Kwong Street Flyover to facilitate motorists.
* Install steel bollards at Baker Street to deter illegal parking on pavement.
* Prohibit access of vehicles other than buses and motorcycles to designated parking spaces at Pak Tai Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion : Kik Yeung Road, Chung Mei Road, Tai Pak Tin Street, Lei Muk Road, Clear Water Bay Road and Castle Peak Road - San Hui.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay to improve traffic flow.
* Add a push-button to traffic light at Hang Kwai Street to facilitate pedestrians.
* Add a direction sign at Tsuen Kam Interchange to guide motorists.
* Add road markings/traffic signs at Tolo Highway and Tai Po Tai Wo Road to remind motorists to slow down when approaching the road bend.
* Widen a traffic lane at Luen Yan Street to facilitate turning movements of vehicles.
* Install steel bollards at cycling tracks at Tai Shui Hang Village and Kam Tai Road to deter illegal parking.
* Add a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Au Pui Wan Street and Min Fong Street to facilitate pedestrians.
Ends/Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:15
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