XN000022-1995-03-23 — Page 16

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At the same time, motorists on Castle Peak Road are not allowed to join Tuen Mun Road Kowloon-bound at Siu Lam Interchange and Tuen Mun Road both bounds at Sham Tseng Interchange. They should remain on Castle Peak Road for their journeys.

"The introduction of the bus-only lane is aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of public transport services. It is hoped that this will also encourage private motorists to switch to public transport to help alleviate congestion on Tuen Mun Road," the spokesman said.

To tie in with the scheme, Kowloon Motor Bus has already introduced two new services operating from Sam Shing and Sham Tseng to Tsuen Wan Mass Transit Railway Station. These two new bus routes are welcomed by local commuters and are being well patronised. Their service level will be further improved if demand increases.

The queues of general traffic on Tuen Mun Road and Castle Peak Road are expected to be longer after the introduction of the bus-only lane, and some delays in car travel are likely. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys well and travel early.

The pilot scheme is scheduled to last three weeks. The Transport Department and the Police will closely monitor the scheme and a review will be carried out in three weeks' time, the spokesman said.

The Transport Department has also set up two telephone hotlines for the scheme. The hotlines, 2399 2437 and 2399 2424, are already in operation until March 31 to answer public enquiries on the operational details of the bus-only lane scheme.

Attention News Editors:

The Transport Department has laid on facilities for the media to observe the operation of the bus-only lane on Tuen Mun Road on Saturday (March 25).

Press coaches will depart Kwai Fong Bus Terminus at 7.15 am for Tuen Mun, making stops at suitable locations along the route. Media representatives can reach the bus terminus by using the Kwai Fong MTR Station exit close to the Hang Seng Bank. A location plan will be boxed. Assemble time is 7 am.

TV crews are also advised to make use of this facility because their own vehicles will not be allowed to use the bus-only lane and the two interchanges.