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The Transport Department today (August 22) said that major public transport operators had been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to cater for the transport demand on the first school day (September 1).
"The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 1," a department spokesman said. "The department will maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. Staff will be deployed at various locations throughout the territory to observe the traffic conditions and provide on-site information to the ETCC."
Students are reminded to familiarise themselves with the public transport services to schools and allow more travelling time on the first school day, especially if they are attending a new school. Students living on the outlying islands or attending schools on the outlying islands should check the ferry schedules and the vessel types to be used on their intended ferry trips beforehand.
Members of the public can obtain more information through the following hotlines and websites of major public transport operators:
Operator Hotline Website
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New World 2136 8888 www.nwfb.com.hk/
First Bus
CityBus 2873 0818 www.citybus.com.hk/
Kowloon 2745 4466 www.kmb.com.hk
Motor
Bus and
Long Win Bus
New
Lantao 2984 9848 www.newlantaobus.com/
Bus
New World 2131 8181 www.nwff.com.hk/
First Ferry
Hong Kong 2815 6063 www.hkkf.com.hk/
and Kowloon
Ferry
MTR 2881 8888 www.mtr.com.hk
Corporation
Limited
Motorists are urged not to drive to the school areas if possible. Drivers of nanny vans and school buses should not carry excess passengers or leave schoolchildren in vehicles unattended. No picking up and dropping off activities will be allowed in restricted zones. Parents should agree well in advance with drivers of nanny vans or school buses the locations for picking up and dropping off their children.
People are advised to pay attention to the latest transport and traffic news on radio and television before leaving home. For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2804 2600 or the 1823 Call Centre.
Ends/Monday, August 22, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:02
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