The Transport Department (TD) today (August 29) reminded students to attend school early on the first school day next Monday (September 3) as traffic is expected to be busier than normal.
 
     "Students, especially those attending a new school, should familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken to school and allow more travelling time on the first school day. Students living on the outlying islands or attending schools on the outlying islands should check the ferry schedules, the vessel types to be used and journey times for their intended ferry trips beforehand. Students are also reminded to pay attention to road safety when attending school," a department spokesman said.
 
     Major public transport operators have been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to meet the transport demand on the first school day.
 
     "The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 3. The department will maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. Staff will be deployed at various major locations throughout the territory to observe the traffic conditions and provide on-site information to the ETCC for arranging public transport service enhancement or informing the Police for traffic regulation when necessary," the spokesman added.
 
     More information may be obtained through the following hotlines and websites of major public transport operators:
 

Operator	Hotline	Website
New World First Bus	2136 8888	www.nwstbus.com.hk
Citybus	2873 0818	www.nwstbus.com.hk
Kowloon Motor Bus	2745 4466	www.kmb.hk
Long Win Bus	2261 2791	www.lwb.hk
New Lantao Bus	2984 9848	www.newlantaobus.com
New World First Ferry	2131 8181	www.nwff.com.hk
Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry	2815 6063	www.hkkf.com.hk
MTR Corporation Limited	2881 8888	www.mtr.com.hk

 
     Motorists are advised 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. An escort should be provided on board when serving kindergarten or primary school students. Parents should agree well in advance with schools, operators of nanny vans or school buses on the locations for picking up and dropping off their children.
 
     Members of the public 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/Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:31

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