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The Transport Department (TD) today (October 13) said that although some road sections in Mong Kok and Central previously occupied by protesters were re-opened last night and today, it could do little to help resume public transport services because only private cars and goods vehicles can use these road sections while Green Minibuses and buses do not travel via the road sections currently.
The Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr Albert Su, said at an inter-departmental press conference today that the re-opening of the road sections could slightly relieve the traffic burden in the areas but the effectiveness had to be observed. He reminded motorists that if they were not familiar with the currently closed or re-opened road sections, they should pay attention and follow the instruction of police officers at the scene.
Meanwhile, Mr Su said that today was a normal working day and it was observed that members of the public and drivers started their journey later than last week with traffic queues appearing at 8am. Roads on Hong Kong Island especially alternative routes connecting Hong Kong East and West as well as key roads in the Southern District were found to have traffic congestion since 8.30am until the rush hours were over.
He worried that if members of the public gave up the travel pattern of setting off early and a number of major trunk roads being illegally occupied by protesters could not be re-opened, traffic on Hong Kong Island would paralyse. As a large-scale fair is being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre until Thursday and a football match with spectators up to 30 000 will be held in the Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow evening, traffic would be very busy on roads on Hong Kong Island tomorrow. He called on motorists not to drive to Hong Kong Island as far as possible.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 247 bus routes are affected today, representing 40 per cent of the total bus routes. These included 18 suspended bus routes and 229 diverted bus routes. Six cross-harbour routes today partially extend their services to facilitate Mong Kok residents to cross the harbour by bus.
Three sections of tram services, including the sections between Kennedy Town and Ice House Street, Shau Kei Wan and Victoria Park as well as Happy Valley and Causeway Bay (circular) are in operation. The MTR has also increased services for urban lines to cope with passenger demand. A total of 27 Green minibus routes are still diverted, suspended or with service adjusted.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and transport services. For details of the major traffic and transport arrangements currently implemented, please refer to the TD website (www.td.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, October 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:13
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