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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 4,701 complaints and suggestions from July 1 to September 30, 2009. Among these, 41 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents an increase of 16.3% compared with 4,042 cases in the previous quarter but a decrease of 14.1% compared with 5,475 cases in the same quarter of 2008.
The complaints and suggestions were mostly related to public transport services (84%), enforcement matters (10%) and traffic conditions (4%).
The number of cases on public transport services increased by 24.2% from 3,186 in the previous quarter to 3,958 in this quarter. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions rose from 167 in the last quarter to 183 in this quarter. Cases about road maintenance also increased from 57 in the last quarter to 64 in this quarter. On the other hand, the number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters dropped from 572 to 442.
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 4,052 cases were completed. Of these, 2,646 cases (65%) were found to be substantiated, 281 cases (7%) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1,125 cases (28%) 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
(July – September 2009)
I. Public Transport Services
* Install queue railings at bus stops at the portal of Aberdeen Tunnel to facilitate passengers.
II. Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at North Point Road and Wong Chuk Hang Road to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic light at King's Road to improve traffic flow.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at King's Road and Chai Wan Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Add "Keep Clear" road markings at Conduit Road and Nam Long Shan Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add a pedestrian crossing at Arbuthnot Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Reduce the height of a street light at Hornsey Road to prevent glare to drivers.
* Add a parking space for the disabled at Tin Wan Street to facilitate disabled drivers.
* Relocate a parking space for the disabled at Tai Hong Street to facilitate disabled drivers.
Kowloon
* Extend the intergreen time of traffic lights at Kwun Tong Road to improve road safety.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Fung Tak Road and Lok Wah Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Impose "No U-turn" restriction at Hammer Hill Road to improve road safety.
* Add a double white line at Po Kong Village Road to regulate lane-cutting activities.
* Add road markings at Peace Avenue to remind pedestrians of the direction of traffic.
* Modify a direction sign at Lung Cheung Road to better guide motorists.
* Add a yellow box at Hung Hom Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Tai Chung Kiu Road, Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan and Castle Peak Road - Ting Kau.
* Reduce the waiting time for vehicular green phase of traffic lights at the junction of Tin Lung Road and Tin Kwai Road to improve traffic flow.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic light at Ching Hong Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Reduce the waiting time for pedestrian green phase of traffic lights at Castle Peak Road - So Kwan Wat to facilitate pedestrians.
* Add traffic lights at Yeung Uk Road to improve road safety.
* Relax right-turn restriction at Lei Muk Road to facilitate motorists.
* Add traffic signs at Long Yat Road to remind motorists to slow down.
* Impose "No U-turn" restriction at Mei Wan Street and Pui To Road to enhance road safety.
* Add a traffic sign at the vehicular access from Nina Tower to Yeung Uk Road to remind motorists to give way to other traffic.
* Remove a "Keep Left Unless Overtaking" traffic sign and add arrow road markings at Tolo Highway to avoid confusion to motorists.
* Add lane road markings at Hang Hong Street and Tin Fuk Road to guide motorists.
* Adjust the vehicle detector settings of traffic lights at the junction of Tin Fuk Road and Long Tin Road to improve traffic flow.
* Install a vehicle loop detector at Kam Pok Road to improve traffic flow.
* Prohibit access of vehicles to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir to improve road safety.
Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:46
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