WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
39
MEETING HELD ON TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS DURING TYPHOONS
*****
REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MAJOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS MET THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON TO REVIEW OPERATING PROCEDURES DURING THE APPROACH OF TYPHOONS AND TO INVESTIGATE MEASURES THAT MIGHT ALLEVIATE THE INTENSE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WHEN THE NO. 8 STORM SIGNAL IS HOISTED.
THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF RAIL, BUS AND FERRY OPERATORS AND OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE POLICE AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD MEAKIN, CHAIRED THE MEETING.
IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT WITH INCREASING CONCENTRATION OF HIGH-DENSITY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND CAUSEWAY BAY, THE CONGESTION RESULTING FROM THE MASS EVACUATION OF WORK PLACES THAT COULD FOLLOW THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS LIKELY TO GET WORSE IN FUTURE.
IT WAS AGREED THAT CLOSER LIAISON SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE MAJOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS SO THAT THEY WERE KEPT INFORMED OF THE PROBABILITY OF THE NO. 8 SIGNAL BEING HOISTED.
+ THE MOVE WILL HELP TRANSPORT OPERATORS LAY ON ADDITIONAL CAPACITY FOR THE MAIN AREAS OF DEMAND, + MR MEAKIN EXPLAINED.
MEANWHILE, THE LAND-BASED TRANSPORT OPERATORS GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES BUS SERVICES WOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR THREE HOURS AND RAIL SERVICES FOR SIX HOURS AFTER THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 SIGNAL.
HOWEVER, THE VULNERABILITY OF FERRY SERVICES TO CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS WOULD MEAN THAT SERVICES COULD BE WITHDRAWN AT SHORT NOTICE.
+ IT IS HOPED THAT WITH THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS' ASSURANCE OF AVAILABLE TRANSPORT CAPACITY, PEOPLE WOULD SPREAD OUT THEIR JOURNEYS HOME,+ MR MEAKIN SAID,
SINCE THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS INTENDED TO GIVE SIX TO 12 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE OF GALE FORCE WINDS, HE HOPED THAT EMPLOYERS WOULD ARRANGE A STAGGERED AND ORDERLY DEPARTURE FOR THEIR STAFF TO HELP RELIEVE THE RUSH FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN THE SIGNAL WENT UP.
/40
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.