********************************************************
The Transport Department (TD) today (November 14) said that a number of roads affected by the occupy movement on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon are still closed. As more people than usual will drive to go out tonight before the weekend, it is anticipated that the already bustling traffic in the affected areas such as in the vicinity of Causeway Bay will be even more congested. The TD called on motorists not to drive to Hong Kong Island as far as possible to avoid increasing pressure on roads on Hong Kong Island, especially in Causeway Bay.
The TD noted that the tram tracks on Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay have been illegally occupied for over a month while very frequent loading and unloading activities in the vicinity of Lockhart Road, Percival Street and Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay have been found recently, and this has continuously caused serious congestion in the area. Affected by the occupy movement, the tram service between Percival Street and Paterson Street is still suspended and tram services connecting the eastern and western parts of Hong Kong Island are yet to resume. Tram cars on the eastern part of Hong Kong Island are also unable to return to the Whitty Street depot in Western District for inspection and maintenance. These tram cars can only undergo limited inspection at the depot in Sai Wan Ho and thus tram operations and services have been seriously affected.
Hong Kong Tramways has already taken a number of measures proactively to minimise inconvenience caused to passengers by the currently hampered service. Nevertheless, if the tram tracks cannot be re-opened, members of the public would be unable to commute between the two sides of Hong Kong Island conveniently by tram, and the problems of traffic congestion, tram maintenance and decreasing patronage would not be resolved. The TD urged the protesters to peacefully retreat from the occupied roads to let services of trams and other public transport as well as the overall traffic situation return to normal.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 225 bus routes were still affected today, with eight bus routes suspended and 217 bus routes diverted. Among the affected bus routes, 80 routes travelling via Mong Kok are diverted due to the closure of a number of road sections in Mong Kok. A total of 20 green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted or suspended or have their services adjusted. The MTR Corporation Limited continues to increase services 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 closures, 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/Friday, November 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:02
NNNN