New Traffic and Public Transport Arrangements Announced for Central Kowloon Bypass Launch on December 22

Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos/video)

The Transport Department (TD) said today (December 16) that, upon the commissioning of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (CKB (YMT Section)), respective traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented.

Traffic arrangements

The CKB (YMT Section) connects Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon and the Kai Tak Interchange in East Kowloon. At the Yau Ma Tei end, there are seven entrances and exits. Motorists can travel to and from Tsim Sha Tsui, the Western Harbour Crossing, Tai Kok Tsui or Kwai Chung via Hoi Po Road, West Kowloon Highway and Lin Cheung Road. At the Kai Tak end, the eight entrances and exits enable motorists to travel to and from Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal or Kwun Tong via Shing Kai Road, Kai Cheung Road and Kai Fuk Road (see details in Annex 1). Upon its commissioning, it will divert the traffic along the existing major east-west corridors in Kowloon and alleviate the traffic congestion during peak hours.

Appropriate traffic signs and road markings have been put in place on relevant road sections to guide motorists to enter and exit the Bypass for various destinations. The TD appealed to motorists to heed traffic signs on-site and drive carefully when passing through road sections concerned, and reduce speed and be courteous when approaching the new merging points.

Public transport arrangements

From December 22 (Monday), the first working day upon commissioning, a total of eight bus routes, comprising three new routes and adjusting five existing routes, will provide services via the CKB (YMT Section) during peak hours on Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays):

Three new routes via Bypass

Adjusting five existing routes to run through Bypass

• KMB route No. 33X (Tsuen Wan West Station -Yau Tong)

• KMB route No. 252S (Handsome Court -Kwun Tong Ferry)

• Citybus route No. A28X (Tseung Kwan O Station to Airport (Ground Transportation Centre))

• KMB route No. 258X (Po Tin -Kwun Tong Ferry)

• KMB route No. 259S (Lung Mun Oasis -Kwun Tong Ferry)

• KMB route No. 259X (Lung Mun Oasis -Kwun Tong Ferry)

• KMB route No. 268P (Ma Wang Road -Kwun Tong Ferry)

• KMB route No. 269S (Tin Shui Wai Town Centre -Kwun Tong Ferry)

The above franchised bus routes plying via the CKB (YMT Section) will provide convenience for passengers across various districts. While journey times of travelling between East and West Kowloon will be significantly shortened, as the Bypass connects with the West Kowloon Highway, travelling times of long-haul bus routes operating between East Kowloon and New Territories West (including Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan) will be substantially reduced, improving their efficiency.

In the initial period upon the commissioning of the CKB (YMT Section), as motorists may take time to adapt to new road sections, it is anticipated that traffic may be busier during various periods. The TD urged motorists to refer to the driving videos of different driving routes set out in the driving guide and the TD's YouTube channel playlist, and choose appropriate routes for their journeys subject to actual traffic conditions.

A spokesman for the TD said, "The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor the traffic condition of the CKB (YMT Section) upon commissioning, including the traffic flow and public transport services of road sections connecting the existing road network and trunk roads across the territory. Motorists, transport trades and the public should plan ahead their journeys, and reserve time to adapt to new routes and adjust their commuting habits."

The TD also reminds passengers to refer to the notices, websites or mobile apps of bus operators to take note of the new arrangements of the routes plying via the CKB (YMT Section), as well as their bus stop locations and service hours. The TD has steered bus operators to closely monitor the operations of these routes and reserve standby vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand. The TD will continue to proactively discuss with bus operators any additional routes or adjustment to existing ones to make better use of the capacity of the Bypass for the benefit of more passengers.

The Government has briefed District Councils concerned and stakeholders on the above arrangements, including distributing pamphlets to District Council members, district personalities, neighbouring housing estates and schools, relevant motoring associations and public transport operators on various driving routes. The Highways Department and the TD have stepped up publicity since December to remind motorists about the new arrangements via large banners, tunnel broadcasts, variable message signs on major roads and electronic parking meters in the districts in phases.

Members of the public may refer to the TD's webpage on CKB (YMT Section) and the HKeMobility mobile app for details of the traffic and transport arrangements. They should also heed the latest traffic news through radio and TV broadcasts, the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility.

Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by CE at media session in Beijing after reporting to President Xi Jinping

Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session in Beijing after reporting to President Xi Jinping on work on December 16:

Reporter: First, you mentioned that you reported the judgement of Jimmy Lai's case to the President. Did he touch on the case given that US President Donald Trump called on President Xi to release Lai? And secondly, did President Xi give any further instructions on social reforms regarding the Tai Po fire, and did he call for officials to be held accountable? Thank you.

Chief Executive: I reported to President Xi on what we have been doing to safeguard national security. I reported the conviction of Lai Chee-ying yesterday when the court convicted him on all three counts relating to endangering national security. I also reported to President Xi that we will continue to steadfastly uphold our duty of safeguarding national security, including the whole of the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), which means the Government, the Legislative Council, and also the Judiciary. All of us have a duty under the Hong Kong National Security Law to safeguard national security. President Xi heard about what we did, and he affirmed his strong recognition of our efforts in this regard, and he also confirmed his strong support for both the Government and the Judiciary to uphold the duty of safeguarding national security. This is a case which is very important in our whole efforts to protect national security, because it confirms that for people who try to make use of different excuses, positioning themselves deceitfully in different positions, whether in relation to being a media operator or otherwise, the law clearly targets acts of the defendants that contravene the national security law. Then, they are rightfully convicted by the court based on evidence and legal principles. President Xi encouraged us to continue our efforts in this regard, but I must also make use of this opportunity to condemn government officials or media organisations outside Hong Kong, who tried to mislead the public and ignore the strong reasons that were very clearly spelled out in the judgement concerning the crimes committed by Lai. Some organisations, particularly foreign media organisations, deliberately mislead the public and deliberately whitewash the criminal acts of Lai under the cloak of so-called "media tycoon". And these organisations' objective is to obscure Lai's shameless acts and subversive actions as an agent of external forces to infiltrate and brainwash young people, through manipulating the media to incite the public and betraying the interests of the country and the people.

As regards the Government's efforts in helping out affected families who suffered in the Tai Po fire, President Xi listened to what the Hong Kong Government has done and also what we are doing in helping the affected families, the relief that we have all been doing to help and support them. About the action to help them to recover as well as the action to help society as a whole to recover, he encouraged us to continue to work hard on that. He has mentioned that it has to be a consistent and continuous effort - this is exactly what I am doing together with my government team. I reported to him the establishment of the Independent Committee, which will fairly and justly look into two critical topics that relate to the cause of the wide-spread fire, and also the long-standing problem that troubles a lot of people in Hong Kong regarding large-scale building renovation work. I have told him these two topics are big topics that will involve a lot of work. I have mentioned the gratitude that I have for the Chairman and the two members to boldly undertake these two very important responsibilities. I have said that I have given nine months for the Independent Committee to complete its work, which is a pressing timetable because, unlike other previous setups, we are dealing with two main topics instead of one. This is actually asking the Independent Committee to do two major tasks almost in parallel; that will be very demanding. That is also why I reported that I have given this reserve power for the Independent Committee - on the one hand, they can really streamline procedures to increase efficiency so that they can finish the work as soon as possible, and at the same time ensure that they will have the power necessary if it is required at the time to address certain issues and areas. I have made it very clear to President Xi that the Committee's purpose is to find out the truth and also to look for accountability. I have repeated that many times before our friends of media, and I want to repeat it again. We'll ensure that no stone will be left unturned to probe the truth and find out the loopholes and those who are responsible, and then accountability will come in.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Remarks by CE at media session in Beijing after reporting to President Xi Jinping Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by CE at media session in Beijing after reporting to President Xi Jinping Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by CE at media session in Beijing after reporting to President Xi Jinping Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases