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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 5,403 complaints and suggestions in the second quarter of 2012. Among these, 118 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents an increase of 20 per cent as compared with 4,501 cases in the previous quarter and an increase of 21.1 per cent when compared with 4,462 cases in the same quarter of 2011.
The complaints and suggestions were mostly related to public transport services (90 per cent), enforcement matters (6 per cent) and traffic conditions (2 per cent).
The number of cases on public transport services increased by 23.5 per cent from 3,938 in the previous quarter to 4,865 in this quarter. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions increased slightly from 119 in the last quarter to 121 in this quarter. Cases about road maintenance rose from 38 in the last quarter to 49 in this quarter. However, the number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters dropped from 372 to 335.
All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant government departments and public transport operators for follow-up action.
During the period under review, investigations into 4,100 cases were completed. Of these, 2,622 cases (64 per cent) were found to be substantiated, 141 cases (3 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1,337 cases (33 per cent) 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 public transport operators took on board 23 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases where public suggestions have helped bring about improvements is in 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 email 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 government departments/public transport operators
(April to June 2012)
I. Public transport services
* Add barrier-free access and a bus stop at Castle Peak Road (Tsuen Wan) to facilitate disabled passengers' access and meet the demand of passengers.
II. Traffic management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the vehicular green time of a traffic light at Caine Road to improve traffic flow.
* Extend "No Stopping Restriction" at Wing Wo Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add a direction sign at Harbour Road to better guide motorists.
Kowloon
* Increase the vehicular green time of a traffic light at Camp Street to alleviate traffic congestion.
* Shorten the waiting time for the pedestrian green phase of traffic lights at Choi Hung Road to assist pedestrians crossing the road.
* Adjust the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at the junction of Carnarvon Road and Granville Road to assist pedestrians crossing the roads.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at the junction of Kwong Lee Road and Cheung Fat Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Extend "No Stopping Restriction" at Carnarvon Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add traffic signs and road markings at Dyer Avenue to remind motorists to slow down.
* Add road markings and relocate a traffic sign at Lancashire Road to improve road safety.
* Modify a direction sign at the junction of Gascoigne Road and Pak Hoi Street to better guide motorists.
* Add road markings at Ching Cheung Road to better guide motorists.
* Add "Keep Clear" road markings at Cheung Yee Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add a double white line at Hammer Hill Road to improve road safety.
* Extend a solid-cum-broken white line at Kwun Tong Road to regulate lane-cutting activities.
* Install railings at Yu Chau Street to guard against jaywalking.
* Increase the length of parking spaces at Yuk Yat Street to facilitate parking of lorries.
New Territories
* Increase the pedestrian green time of a traffic light at Kiu Ha Road to assist pedestrians/cyclists crossing the road.
* Modify the mode of operation of traffic lights at Ping Ha Road and the junction of Chung Hau Street and Carmel Village Street to improve traffic flow.
* Modify road markings at Tsuen King Circuit to improve traffic flow.
* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Shek Kok Road and Wan Po Road to facilitate parking of motorcycles.
Ends/Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:44
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