*********************************************************
The Transport Department (TD) today (October 23) said that more people than usual will drive to work tomorrow (Friday) for going out after work before the weekend. The department reminded members of the public that the traffic situation is still unstable in districts such as Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, which are still affected by protests. It is anticipated that traffic will be very congested tomorrow and members of the public going to work and school should start their journeys early while motorists should consider taking public transport instead of driving.
Regarding the traffic situation, congestion at the Island Eastern Corridor and on Gloucester Road westbound heading for Central continued during peak hours 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.
A free circular tram route between Victoria Park and Paterson Street started to provide services yesterday. Currently, the tram service between Percival Street and Paterson Street is still suspended. As for bus services, a total of 226 bus routes are still affected today with eight bus routes suspended and 218 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/Thursday, October 23, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:50
NNNN
