The Transport Department (TD) today (August 25) said that major public transport operators have been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to cater for the transport demand on the first school day (September 1).
In addition to providing adequate public transport services, the TD also reminded major public transport operators to review the transport services in the vicinity of new schools, and prepare spare trains, vehicles, or vessels to strengthen services when necessary to meet transport demand. Franchised bus operators providing services to boundary control points and cross-boundary coach operators have been reminded to provide adequate services for cross-boundary students. Separately, relevant departments were requested to review their road works, being or to be carried out, on major roads to minimise the traffic impact when the new school term commences.
"The operation of the TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will be escalated to the highest tier, Joint Steering Mode, to closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 1. The TD will also maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. Staff will be deployed at various major locations throughout the territory, including the school areas in Kowloon Tong, Po Kong Village Road, Kwai Shing Circuit and Braemar Hill etc, major public transport interchanges, boundary control points and tunnels, to observe the traffic conditions and report the latest on-site situations to the ETCC for arranging public transport service enhancements or informing the Police regarding traffic regulation when necessary," a TD spokesman said.
Students, especially those attending a new school in this school term, are reminded to familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken to schools and allow adequate travelling time on the first school day. Students who need to take ferries should check the ferry schedules, the vessel types to be used and the journey time of their intended ferry trips beforehand. Students are also reminded to pay attention to road safety when attending school.
More information may be obtained through the following hotlines and websites of major public transport operators:
| Operator | Hotline | Website |
| MTR | 2881 8888 | www.mtr.com.hk |
| Citybus | 2136 8888 | www.citybus.com.hk |
| Kowloon Motor Bus | 2745 4466 | www.kmb.hk |
| Long Win Bus | 2261 2791 | www.lwb.hk |
| New Lantao Bus | 2984 9848 | www.nlb.com.hk |
| Sun Ferry | 2131 8181 | www.sunferry.com.hk |
| Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry | 2815 6063 | hkkf.com.hk |
Motorists are advised not to drive to school areas if at all possible. Drivers of nanny vans and school buses should drive carefully, especially on steep roads, narrow lanes or at locations where driving in reverse is necessary. They are not allowed to leave students unattended in vehicles and speeding and overloading are prohibited. Nanny van operators should obtain prior approval from the TD for each school served by a nanny van. An escort should be provided on board when serving kindergarten or primary school students. Drivers and escorts should ensure that all students have properly worn their seat belts (if provided) before the vehicles move off. Parents should agree well in advance with schools and operators of nanny vans or school buses on the locations of 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 TD's hotline on 2804 2600 or the 1823 Call Centre.
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