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The Transport Complaints Unit of the Transport Advisory Committee received 20,248 complaints and suggestions in 2006. Among these, 167 were pure suggestions.
The total number of cases recorded an increase of 16.9% as compared with the 17,315 cases in 2005. The major areas of concern were related to public transport services (76%), enforcement matters (15%) and traffic conditions (6%).
"It is noteworthy that we enhanced the publicity of the complaints unit's hotline in the second half of 2005. Apart from displaying the hotline at major public transport interchanges, bus termini and on taxis, we have published it in newspapers," a committee spokesman said.
"In addition, a new requirement to display the hotline inside public light buses has been included in their licensing conditions since late October, 2005. We note that the number of complaints and suggestions received by the unit has been on the rise since the third quarter of 2005," the spokesman said.
The number of complaints and suggestions on public transport services increased by 20% from 12,767 in 2005 to 15,323 in 2006.
The number of complaints and suggestions on franchised bus services increased from 2,936 in 2005 to 3,420 in 2006. There were 51 cases related to residents' services in 2006, which was the same as in 2005.
The number of complaints and suggestions on public light bus services increased from 2,863 in 2005 to 3,803 in 2006. The increase was mainly attributable to more complaints about conduct and performance of the drivers and improper driving behaviour.
Cases related to taxi services increased from 6,227 in 2005 to 7,051 in 2006. 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 639 in 2005 to 942 in 2006. The increase was mainly attributable to more complaints about audio-visual broadcasting on Kowloon-Canton Railway trains. Cases related to ferry services increased slightly from 51 in 2005 to 56 in 2006.
The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 2,548 in 2005 to 3,035 in 2006. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 1,217 in 2005 to 1,154 in 2006. Complaints about road maintenance decreased slightly from 364 in 2005 to 354 in 2006.
The relevant government departments and public transport operators have introduced a series of measures to address the concern raised by the complainants. The Transport Complaints Unit will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of the new measures and suggest additional measures where necessary.
As regards the last quarter in 2006 covering the period between October 1 and December 31, 2006, the unit received 5,244 complaints and suggestions, of which 47 were pure suggestions. The number of cases recorded a decrease of 4.3% compared with 5,481 cases in the previous quarter, but an increase of 5.6% when compared with 4,968 cases in the same quarter in 2005.
The major areas of complaints and suggestions were related to public transport services (75%), 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 37 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 improvement is at the Appendix.
People may make their suggestions or complaints to the Transport Complaints Unit by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service after office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a complaint form downloaded from the unit website http://www.info.gov.hk/tcu.
Appendix
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Public Suggestions Taken on Board by Relevant Authorities
(October-December 2006)
I. Public Transport Services
* Relocate a green minibus stop at Tak Man Street to facilitate passengers.
* Install queue rails at a bus stop at Castle Peak Road to facilitate passengers.
II. Traffic Management
Hong Kong Island
* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic light at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion : Tung Lo Wan Road, Belcher's Street, Man Yiu Street and Lockhart Road.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Ngan Mok Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Erect a "No Entry" traffic sign at Fleming Road to avoid confusion for motorists.
* Revise a traffic sign and road marking at Tai Lok Street from "Give Way" to "Stop" to improve road safety.
* Add a road marking at Village Road to remind motorists to slow down.
* Extend a double white line at Garden Road to regulate lane-cutting activities.
* Add a yellow box at Chai Wan Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Install railings at Tai Hang Road to prevent jaywalking.
Kowloon
* Increase the vehicular green time at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Lee On Road, Yen Chow Street, Fat Tseung Street, Fung Mo Street, Sin Fat Road, Tsun Yip Street and Tung Tsing Road.
* Synchronise traffic lights at Lai Chi Kok Road to improve traffic flow.
* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Tonkin Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Extend the effective hours of "No Stopping Restriction" at Castle Peak Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Erect a "No U-Turn" traffic sign at Hoi Ting Road to remind motorists.
* Add a "Keep Left" road marking at Sham Mong Road to warn motorists of lane reduction ahead.
* Convert coach parking spaces at Baptist University Road to private car parking spaces to facilitate motorists.
New Territories
* Increase the vehicular green time at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Yu Tai Road, Luen On Street, On King Street and Wing Shun Street.
*Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Kwai Yi Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.
* Adjust speed limit at Ma On Shan Bypass to improve traffic flow.
Ends/Thursday, February 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:45
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