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Tuen Mun Road bus-only lane trial period to be extended

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The Tuen Mun Road bus only-lane trial scheme is to be extended for a further three weeks starting from April 18.

Announcing the extension today

(Sunday),

Assistant

Commissioner for Transport, Mr Alan Lui, said the decision to extend the trial period of the scheme was reached at a recent meeting of the Government/District Boards Working Group on Traffic Improvements for the Yuen Long/Tuen Mun - Tsuen Wan/Kwai Tsing Corridor.

The scheme was put on trial on March 25 for an initial period of three weeks. Initial observations were discussed at the Working Group meeting. Having considered the views of the Working Group it was decided that the scheme be given a further trial with minor modifications, pending a final decision on the future of the scheme after detailed information and data were obtained and analysed.

In the mean time, consideration will be given to the suggestion that the Siu Lam and Sham Tseng interchange traffic restrictions be relaxed.

Mr Lui said the minor modifications were shortening of the operation hours of the scheme by putting back the starting time from 6.30 am to 7 am and the installation of traffic signals at the Tai Chung roundabout to allow easier exit of vehicles from Castle Peak Road.

At the same time, action will be taken to prepare for the opening up of the section of Castle Peak Road between Sham Tseng and Tai Chung roundabout to New Territories taxis so that they can have an alternative access route to Tsuen Wan MTR Station.

Initial observation revealed that bus journey times along Tuen Mun Road had been reduced by an average of six to seven minutes during the bus-only lane operation hours. Bus services had become more reliable with no lost trips recorded during the trial period. Before the introduction of the bus-only lane, up to 30 lost trips were recorded during the morning peak period.