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The Transport Department (TD) today (October 22) reminded members of the public that due to the occupation of a number of major trunk roads such as Harcourt Road and Nathan Road by protesters, special traffic measures are still being carried out at various locations while public transport services are still affected by road closures. The TD and public transport operators will continue to review the road situation and hope to resume public transport services as far as possible.
As affected by protests on Hong Kong Island, tram services are being operated in sections. For the convenience of passengers, a free circular tram route is available between Victoria Park and Paterson Street starting today. With the provision of this free circular route, the tram service still being suspended is the section between Percival Street and Paterson Street.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Tramways Limited noted that since the tram tracks on Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay are occupied by protesters, tram cars on the eastern part of Hong Kong Island are unable to return to the Whitty Street depot in Western district for inspection and maintenance. As only limited inspection can be conducted on tram cars at the depot in Sai Wan Ho, tram operations and services are seriously affected. The TD urged the protesters again to retreat from the illegally occupied roads peacefully to avoid affecting the normal operation of tram services and other public transport, and to let the overall traffic situation return to normal.
As for the traffic situation, traffic congestion at the Island Eastern Corridor and on Gloucester Road westbound heading for Central continued during peak hours this morning due to the closure of a number of roads on Hong Kong Island. The TD and the Police will continue to implement temporary traffic control measures as necessary to divert traffic flow. Motorists should pay attention to the arrangements and follow the instructions of the Police on-site. They are also advised not to drive to Hong Kong Island as far as possible.
In Kowloon, a number of road sections in Mong Kok, including Nathan Road southbound between Mong Kok Road and Dundas Street, Nathan Road northbound between Waterloo Road and Argyle Street, Argyle Street westbound between Nathan Road and Shanghai Street, and Shantung Street between Nathan Road and Tung Choi Street, are closed, leading to the diversion of a total of 85 bus routes which are travelling via Mong Kok.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 225 bus routes are still affected today with eight bus routes suspended and 217 bus routes diverted. A total of 20 green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted or suspended or with service adjusted. The MTR Corporation Limited continues to increase services and deploy more manpower resources for all urban lines to cope with passenger demand.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and public transport services. For details of road closure, traffic diversion, suspension and route diversion of green minibus services, please refer to the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). Regarding temporary traffic arrangements for bus routes, please refer to the following bus companies' websites for details:
For routes of Citybus and New World First Bus: www.nwstbus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/OC2014/TAA.htm
For routes of Kowloon Motor Bus: www.kmb.hk/en
As there will be updates on bus services from time to time due to traffic changes, members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest service arrangements announced by bus companies before starting their journeys.
Ends/Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:33
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