The cross-sea section of the MTR East Rail Line was officially opened to traffic a few days ago, becoming the fourth cross-sea railway. It was expected that the cross-sea bus service would be affected.
An earlier Transport Department document stated that the affected bus routes will be adjusted at an appropriate time according to passenger demand after the opening.
However, NWFB issued a notice a few days ago, stating that starting from May 13, that is, two days before the opening of the train, the frequency of the 115 Tunnel and Bus will be reduced.
In addition, the government has eased social distancing measures again today (19th), including reopening bars and restaurants to eight people per table.
According to the temporary schedule adjustment notice of the bus company effective today, there are still many bus routes of NWFB and Citybus that have not seen the number of schedules, and the schedules still take 30 minutes during peak hours; some late-night routes may also only operate every hour. .
▼The situation at Shatin Station on the first working day after the opening of the East Rail Line crossing the sea on May 16▼
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A few days ago, the Transport Department submitted a document to the District Council, mentioning that some passengers who originally took the tunnel bus would switch to the railway to cross the sea. The special schedules will be cancelled, and five groups of eight bus routes will be "named".
The Transport Department stressed that it will closely monitor the changes in passenger demand of all tunnel buses after the opening to traffic.
Earlier, Line 301 took the lead in "killing the line" before the opening of the East Rail Crossing section.
The Transport Department has listed eight bus routes in five groups, indicating that there is room to adjust the service arrangements of these routes.
(Screenshot of District Council documents)
Announcement of class reduction was published online on Monday, but it was "sneaked" last Friday.
It was recently revealed that NWFB had “sneaked” on May 13, two days before the opening of the East Rail Crossing section, and had arranged to cut the trains of Tunnel Bus Route 115 between the Kowloon City Ferry Terminal and the Central Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal. This line is not part of the Transport Department. The high-risk route of "rolling".
The joint group concerned about the railway opening public transport plan stated that NWFB only issued a notice online on May 16, questioning that passengers had been concealed for several days to know that the frequency had been reduced, describing it as "first cut and then played".
NWFB Announcement
The joint group also criticized that if Line 115 was the first to cut shifts in line with the opening of the cross-sea section, the Transport Department would be "today's me overthrowing yesterday's me".
The joint continued to point out that, before the opening to traffic, there were many passengers on Line 115 during peak hours, and even some passengers were often unable to board the train. They questioned the Transport Department and the bus company, citing the lower passenger load factor under the fifth wave of the epidemic as the basis for reducing shifts. .
▼May 3rd morning rush hour waiting for cross-sea buses at the entrance of the Red Tunnel▼
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Social measures are relaxed, some routes of NWFB and Citybus have not resumed service
In addition, NWFB, Citybus and KMB also announced the temporary schedule adjustment notice effective today.
Although the government has further relaxed social distancing measures from today, including reopening bars and karaoke OK, restaurants can also be open until 0:00 a.m., increasing to eight people per table.
However, there are many routes of NWFB and Citybus, and the trains run every 30 minutes at any time, whether during peak hours or non-peak hours.
According to the NWFB and Citybus announcement, Route 606 between Siu Sai Wan and Choi Wan will operate every 20 to 30 minutes regardless of peak hours or non-peak hours; Route 103 between Chuk Yuen Village and the University of Hong Kong may have 30 minutes at all times. The train runs every minute; the 904 between Kennedy Town and Lai Chi Kok runs every 20 to 30 minutes throughout the day.
In terms of late-night routes, N171, N182, N616, N796 and other routes all run every 30 to 60 minutes.
Some bus routes of KMB are not busy and the frequency will be maintained every half an hour after 10pm
As for KMB, according to its announcement, the frequency of the peak hours has not been adjusted, but there are still some departures that take 30 minutes after 10 pm during non-peak hours.
For example, Route 89B between Lam Tin and Wu Kaisha may run every 30 minutes at both time periods; Route 86C between Ma On Shan and Cheung Sha Wan is also changed to every 30 minutes during non-peak hours, and the rest time periods have not been adjusted. .
NWFB & Citybus Planning and Train Arrangement Manager Wong Hon-chung (File photo/Photo by Zheng Zifeng)
A few days ago, NWFB and Citybus planning and train scheduling director Huang Hanzhong said in an interview that the current passenger volume remained at less than 80% before the fifth wave of the epidemic, and the number of flights will be arranged according to the passenger volume.
Even during peak hours, some bus lines require a 30-minute wait for each bus. When asked if it is reasonable, Huang reiterated that arrangements will be made according to the number of passengers.
East Rail Crossing the Sea | KMB enhances point-to-point service to fight back against rushing customers, NWFB and Citybus offer MTR interchange discounts Hundreds of bus fans say goodbye to Tunnel Bus 301, students are "thankful" that classes are suspended in red rain and can take the last East Rail train to cross the sea |
