The Transport Department (TD) today (February 8) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) and the Lunar New Year fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11).
(I) International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of the Lunar New Year
Road closures
—————-
In connection with the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on the first day of the Lunar New Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases on roads in Tsim Sha Tsui area, including the Parade route along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, and the section of Salisbury Road between Chatham Road South and Star Ferry Pier, from 3.30pm until the reopening of roads at about 11.45pm. During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
Public transport services arrangements
——————————————–
- In connection with the road closure arrangements, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
- MTR lines including Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, South Island Line and East Rail Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand; and
- For cross-boundary coach services, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at the Austin Road Cross Border Coach Terminus will be suspended from about 8pm to about midnight. A temporary terminus will be provided at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.
(II) Lunar New Year fireworks display on the second day of the Lunar New Year
Road closures
—————-
In connection with the holding of the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour at 8pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in Wan Chai, Central District, Eastern District and the Peak on Hong Kong Island from about 5.30pm. Moreover, the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Man Hong Street and Victoria Park Road will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (expect for franchised buses) from 7.55pm until the reopening of roads.
In Kowloon, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from about 5pm in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District until the crowds disperse and the roads reopen.
During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
Public transport service arrangements
——————————————-
- In connection with road closures, the bus and GMB routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
- For MTR services, Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand; the operating hours of East Rail Line between Lo Wu and Admiralty will be extended, whereof the last departure on the second day of the Lunar New Year will take place from Admiralty at 0.56am on the following day to Lo Wu, and take place from Lo Wu at 2.30am on the following day to Admiralty;
- The frequency of tram service will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
- Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services, Park Island Transport and Fortune Ferry will gradually adjust and suspend parts of their services from 6.20pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display; and
- For cross-boundary coach services, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 4.30pm until the reopening of roads, and a temporary terminus will be provided on Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre. The terminus of short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at the Austin Road Cross Border Coach Terminus will be suspended from about 8pm to about midnight, and a temporary terminus will be provided at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services
———————————————————————-
- The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on the second day of the Lunar New Year will be extended to 2am on the following day.
A spokesman for the TD specially reminded the public that "on the night of the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11), only the service of MTR East Rail Line plying between Admiralty and Lo Wu will be extended, while other MTR lines and the connecting public transport services will maintain their normal operating hours. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the details of the public transport services concerned and plan their journeys ahead. They may contact the relevant public transport operators if needed."
Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application "HKeMobility".
For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
Follow this news feed: East Asia