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The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received a total of 17,315 complaints and suggestions in 2005. Among these, 150 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases recorded an increase of 6.2% compared with the 16,299 cases in 2004.
The major areas of concern were related to public transport services (74%), enforcement matters (15%) and traffic conditions (7%).
The number of complaints and suggestions on public transport services increased by 13.1% from 11,289 in 2004 to 12,767 in 2005.
The number of complaints and suggestions on franchised bus services decreased from 3,072 in 2004 to 2,936 in 2005. Cases related to residents' services increased from 47 in 2004 to 51 in 2005. The number of complaints and suggestions on public light bus services increased from 2,483 in 2004 to 2,863 in 2005. The increase was mainly attributable to more complaints about improper driving behaviour and conduct and performance of the drivers.
Cases related to taxi services increased from 5,291 in 2004 in 6,227 in 2005. The increase was mainly due to more complaints about taxi driver malpractice (especially those related to conduct and performance of drivers, improper driving behaviour and failure to take the most direct route). Complaints and suggestions on rail services increased from 348 in 2004 to 639 in 2005. The increase was mainly attributable to more complaints about audio-visual broadcasting on Kowloon-Canton Railway trains introduced in July 2005. Cases related to ferry services increased slightly from 48 in 2004 to 51 in 2005.
The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 2,438 in 2004 to 2,548 in 2005. Complaints and suggestions about traffic conditions decreased from 1,690 in 2004 to 1,217 in 2005. Complaints about road maintenance decreased from 458 in 2004 to 364 in 2005.
The relevant government departments and public transport operators have introduced a series of measures to address the concerns raised by the complainants. The TCU will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of the new measures and to suggest additional measures where necessary.
As regards the last quarter in 2005 covering the period between October 1 and December 31, 2005, the TCU received a total of 4,968 complaints and suggestions. Among these, 38 were pure suggestions. The number of cases recorded increases of 4.7% and 17.3% compared with 4,743 cases in the previous quarter and 4,236 cases in the same quarter in 2004 respectively. The major areas of complaints and suggestions were related to public transport services (74%), enforcement matters (16%) and traffic conditions (6%). All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU were referred to the relevant authorities and government departments for follow-up action.
During the quarter, the relevant government departments and organisations took on board 58 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases where public suggestions have helped to bring about improvements is at the Appendix.
Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline (2889 9999) (voice mail service after office hours), by fax (2577 1858), by e-mail (info@tcu.gov.hk) or by filling in relevant complaint forms downloaded from the TCU web-site (http://www.info.gov.hk/tcu).
Appendix
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Public suggestions taken on board by relevant authorities
(October ¡ª December 2005)
I. Public Transport Services
* Add a green minibus stop at Cotton Tree Drive to meet the demand of passengers.
* Extend the operation hours of a bus stop at Siu Sai Wan Road to facilitate passengers.
II. Traffic Management
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Pok Fu Lam Road, Hill Road, Seymour Road, Sai Wan Ho Street, Chai Wan Road, Gloucester Road, Cornwall Street, Tai Kok Tsui Road, Po Fung Road, Eastern Street and Chui Yu Road.
* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at the following locations to facilitate pedestrians: Lai Chi Kok Road, Po Heung Street, King's Road and Po Shek Wu Road.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Queen's Road West and Pennington Street to improve traffic flow.
* Add a secondary traffic light at Shantung Street to avoid confusion to motorists.
* Modify the method of control of traffic lights at Shun Lee Tsuen Road to improve traffic flow.
* Add road markings and traffic signs at Tin Hau Temple Road to remind motorists to slow down.
* Add traffic signs at Ching Cheung Road to avoid confusion to motorists.
* Convert a "Turn Right Only" arrow road marking into an "Ahead Only or Turn Right" one at Nathan Road to improve traffic flow.
* Add a pedestrian crossing at Mok Cheong Street to facilitate pedestrians.
* Widen safety islands at Pui Ching Road to facilitate pedestrians.
* Shorten a solid white line at Argyle Street to facilitate motorists.
* Shorten double white lines at Kwun Tong Road and Gloucester Road to facilitate motorists.
* Add a double white line at Prince Edward Road East to regulate lane-cutting activities.
* Add a double white line at Sheung Yee Road to guide motorists in negotiating a road bend.
* Relocate a stop line at Des Voeux Road Central to improve the sightline of pedestrians.
* Replace railings at Hong Kin Road to improve the sightline of motorists.
* Extend railings at Clear Water Bay Road to improve road safety.
* Install railings at Pak Tai Street to improve road safety.
* Install railings at Ho Tung Road to deter illegal parking on pavement.
* Install railings and warning signs at Lai Chi Kok Road to improve road safety.
* Add a yellow box at King's Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Wu Chui Road to facilitate motorcyclists.
* Relocate parking spaces for motorcycles at Pak Sha Wan Pier to improve road safety.
* Extend the effective time of the "No Stopping Restriction" at Pennington Street and Yee Wo Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Anchor Street and Queen's Road East to prevent vehicle obstruction.
Ends/Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:20
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