Traffic and Transport Changes Announced for Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong

Special traffic and transport arrangements for International Chinese New Year Night Parade and Chinese New Year fireworks display

The Transport Department (TD) today (February 12) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the ChineseNew Year (February 17) and the ChineseNew Year fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on the second day of the ChineseNew Year (February 18).

(I) International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of ChineseNew Year

Road closures

In connection with the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on the first day of the ChineseNew Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases on roads in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, including the Parade route along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, and the section of Salisbury Road between Chatham Road South and Star Ferry Pier, from 3.30pm until the reopening of roads at about 11.45pm. During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.

Public transport services arrangements

In connection with the road closure arrangements, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;

Services on MTR lines, including Island Line, East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line, will be strengthened subject to passenger demand; and

For cross-boundary coach services, the en-route stop of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 3pm.

(II) ChineseNew Year fireworks display on the second day of ChineseNew Year

Road closures

In connection with the holding of the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour at 8pm on the second day of ChineseNew Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in Central District, Wan Chai and Eastern District on Hong Kong Island from about 6pm. Moreover, the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Man Hong Street and Victoria Park Road will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except for franchised buses) from 7.45pm until the reopening of roads.

In Kowloon, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from about 5pm in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District until the crowd disperses and the roads reopen.

During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.

Public transport service arrangements

In connection with road closure arrangements, the bus and GMB routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;

MTR services on theIsland Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;

The frequency of tram services will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;

Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services, Park Island Transport and Fortune Ferry will gradually adjust and suspend parts of their services from 5.05pm on the second day of the ChineseNew Year to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display; and

For the short-haul cross-boundary coach services to Huanggang Port, the following temporary stopping arrangements will be implemented:

The terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 5pm until the reopening of roads, and a temporary terminus will be provided on Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre; and

A temporary pick-up point for the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port will be added at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station from 8pm to 11pm; the en-route stop of this service at China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange will also be suspended from about 7pm.

Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System services

The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on the second day of ChineseNew Year will be extended to 2am on the following day.

Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel, will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.

Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application "HKeMobility".

For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

Source: AI-found images

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,500 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts yesterday (February 11) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 60-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on February 10 and seized 201 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $820 and a duty potential of about $660, on his body. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases