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The Transport Department (TD) today (October 6) said that since major trunk roads on Hong Kong Island are still occupied by protesters and alternative roads have reached their traffic capacity, there was serious traffic congestion at a number of locations on Hong Kong Island this morning. Traffic congestion was also seen on Waterloo Road in Kowloon heading for Mong Kok. The total length of traffic queues on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon was about 30km.
At an inter-departmental press conference today, the Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr Albert Su, said that there was serious traffic congestion on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon town centre this morning with some of the roads nearly paralysed. The unfavourable chain reaction caused by occupation of roads by protesters to normal traffic on Hong Kong Island and in Mong Kok had been fully reflected. It has not only paralysed traffic but also seriously affected most of the bus services and public transport services on other roads. The travelling time of members of the public has also been greatly increased. If the major trunk roads being occupied by the protesters could not be re-opened, it is anticipated that tomorrow's traffic and public transport situation might be even worse than today.
In view of the resumption of classes of secondary schools in Wan Chai and Central & Western districts today, Citybus Route 40M provided special service from Central to take students and teachers to go to schools in Central & Western District since 6.15am this morning and its operation was normal.
Mr Su noted that the TD had kept close contact with the school bus trade and provided them with information on road closure and diversion to tie in with the resumption of classes of primary schools and special schools in the Wan Chai and Central & Western districts tomorrow. Parents are also reminded that they should contact school bus operators to arrange pick-up time and points for school bus properly.
He appealed to members of the public going to work or school tomorrow to pay attention to the TD and bus companies' latest announcement of public transport information. They are also advised to plan their journey in advance, start their journey earlier and allow more time for travelling tomorrow. He strongly urged drivers to avoid driving to Hong Kong Island especially the affected districts and school areas as far as possible.
As to public transport services, a total of 23 bus routes are suspended today and 226 bus routes are diverted. Other bus routes in operation are also affected by congestion on alternative roads, resulting in sharp reduction of frequencies and delay. A total of 249 bus routes are affected today, representing 40 per cent of the total bus routes.
Currently, about 23 Green minibus routes are diverted, suspended or with service adjusted. The tram service between Western Market and Victoria Park remains suspended. The MTRCL will continue to deploy more manpower and increase frequencies for urban lines. The Star Ferry will also strengthen services to cope with passenger demand.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and transport services.
Details of the major traffic and transport arrangements currently implemented are as follows:
(A). Road closure
The following major road sections have been temporarily closed:
Hong Kong Island
[Central] (a) Des Voeux Road Central both bounds between Pedder Street and Queensway; (b) Chater Road eastbound between Pedder Street and Murray Road; (c) Connaught Road Central both bounds between Pedder Street and Harcourt Road; (d) Edinburgh Place both bounds
[Admiralty] (e) Harcourt Road; (f) Cotton Tree Drive; (g) Garden Road northbound slip road to Queensway eastbound; (h) Queensway between Justice Drive and Garden Road; (i) Tim Mei Avenue; (j) Tim Wa Avenue; (k) Legislative Council Road; (l) Lung Wui Road; (m) Performing Arts Avenue; (n) Rodney Street;
[Wan Chai] (o) Fenwick Pier Street flyover; (p) Gloucester Road westbound between O¡¦Brian Road and Arsenal Street; (q) Gloucester Road eastbound between Fenwick Street and Arsenal Street; (r) Hennessy Road both bounds between Yee Wo Street and Percival Street;
[Causeway Bay] (s) Yee Wo Street;
Kowloon:
[Mong Kok] (a) Nathan Road southbound between Mong Kok Road and Dundas Street (b) Nathan Road northbound between Waterloo Road and Mong Kok Road; (c) Sai Yeung Choi Street South northbound between Argyle Street and Nelson Street; (d) Nelson Street westbound between Sai Yeung Choi Street South and Fa Yuen Street; (e) Argyle Street both bounds between Shanghai Street and Fa Yuen Street.
(B). Traffic diversion
The following traffic arrangements have been implemented:
* Traffic on Island Eastern Corridor westbound is diverted via Inner Gloucester Road to Wan Chai area. Traffic heading to Wan Chai North is diverted via Tonnochy Road flyover;
* Cross Harbour Tunnel southbound traffic is diverted via Tonnochy Road flyover before accessing Wan Chai North;
* Island Eastern Corridor westbound is diverted via Tonnchy Road flyover to Wan Chai North;
* Vehicles travelling through Western Cross Harbour Crossing (Route 4) Hong Kong bound heading for Central North and financial districts are prohibited from entering Pedder Street and diverted to Lung Wo Road, Man Kwong Street and Man Yiu Street;
*Nathan Road northbound traffic have been diverted onto Waterloo Road.
(C). Public transport services being affected
Bus routes
Please refer to Annex for affected bus routes.
GMB services
Services of some GMB routes operating via Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok may be suspended, route diverted or frequency adjusted.
Hong Kong Tramway
Tram services between Western Market and Victoria Park (including Happy Valley Loop) are suspended
MTR
MTR has strengthened the services of Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line and Island Line.
Ends/Monday, October 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 23:04
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