The Transport Department (TD) today (November 18) appealed to members of the public to pay attention to the traffic situation and the latest public transport service arrangement this morning before starting their journey.

      As at 6am today, the latest public transport situation is as follows:

(I) MTR

     All MTR lines maintain services today. Except the Airport Express Line, the train service will end at 11pm.

     East Rail Line service will be provided between Hung Hom and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau stations (not stopping at University Station). Entrances/Exits at some stations will also be closed. Train services may be suspended or adjusted due to incidents. Members of the public are advised to continue to stay tuned to the latest traffic news.

     Free shuttle bus service running between Tai Po Market and Kam Sheung Road stations will be arranged during morning and evening peak periods.

     Light Rail Route 751P has been suspended. Routes 614, 614P, 751 and 761P will be diverted. Light Rail Vehicles will not stop at Chestwood and Yau Oi stops.

(II) Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel 

     Due to the damage of the Administration Building and toll plaza, and the traffic management system has been damaged, the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel (both bounds) cannot be opened soon.  Motorists crossing harbour must use Western Harbour Crossing and Eastern Harbour Crossing. To deal with the surge in traffic flow, the TD has urged the tunnel operators to closely monitor the situation and strengthen control measures when necessary. The TD has coordinated with franchised bus companies to increase the frequency of the cross harbour bus routes as appropriate. 

(III) Franchised bus

     Major roads in Yau Tsim Mong District in Kowloon are yet to be opened due to continued road blockages. Some bus routes may be temporarily diverted or suspended. The major affected road sections include Chatham Road South near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (both bounds) and Nathan Road between Mong Kok Road and Austin Road (both bounds) . Police will implement road closure, traffic control and diversion measures depending on the traffic conditions on site. 

(IV)  Tramway

     Due to road condition, tram service will only be provided between Sheung Wan and Quarry Bay.

(V) Ferry services

     Currently, inner harbour ferry routes have tried to strengthen their services to address the passenger demand.  The TD will, together with with the ferry operators and the trade, study measures to further strengthen the inner harbour ferry services and carrying capacity as far as practicable. 

     About 170 sets of traffic lights are still under urgent repair. Those in Yau Tsim Mong and Yuen Long are seriously affected. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be patient and pay attention to road safety when passing through the affected junctions.

     As traffic conditions and railway services may change within a short period of time, the TD urges commuters using public transport services to allow more travelling time and plan their journey in advance. Details of the latest traffic news are available at TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/home/index.html) or mobile application "HKeMobility".

     Rumours stated that Police “raided” the premises of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Police today (November 18) clarify that this statement is totally false.
      
     Since midnight, a large gang of rioters gathered at Cheong Wan Road, hurled petrol bombs at Police. They also set objects ablaze. Multiple explosions were heard. Police have been conducting dispersal operation. Specialised Crowd Management Vehicle and tear gas were deployed.
      
     At around 5.30am, Police continue to conduct dispersal and arrest operation. Meanwhile, rioters gathering inside the campus set fire and caused extensive damage.
      
     Police reiterate that we did not “raid” the premises of the PolyU. Fires were observed in various locations in the PolyU premises. Explosives, flammable substances and dangerous goods also pose threats to anyone therein. Police appeal to everyone inside the campus to leave immediately.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

​Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

​     "Although the roads and public transport services in the territory have gradually resumed, there are still uncertain factors currently. The Social Welfare Department announces that for the sake of safety, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres today (November 18). These centres will, however, remain open to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the service units concerned in advance."

     Today (November 18) after midnight, rioters have continued to hurl petrol bombs and hard objects at police officers in various places in Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui. Police have deployed tear gas for dispersal. At the same time, Police dispersal operation outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is ongoing. Some drivers intentionally parked their vehicles in a manner that blocks major roads, including Princess Margaret Road, Mody Road and Salisbury Road, in Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan.
      
     Police warn drivers not to use their vehicles to block roads and obstruct Police operation. Police will take prompt measures when encountering such vehicles, including towing them away. Police will also conduct further investigation and pursue those who block roads with their vehicles and obstruct Police’s execution of duty.

     Tomorrow (November 18) is the first working day after weekend. As there are still uncertain traffic conditions in some of the roads, the Transport Department (TD) appealed to members of the public to pay attention to traffic news before leaving home.

     (I) MTR

     All MTR lines will maintain services tomorrow. Except the Airport Express Line, the train service will end at 11pm.

     East Rail Line service will be provided between Hung Hom and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau stations (not stopping at University Station). Entrances/Exits at some stations will also be closed.

     Free shuttle bus service running between Tai Po Market and Kam Sheung Road stations will be arranged during morning and evening peak periods.

     Light Rail Vehicles will not stop at Chestwood and Yau Oi stops.

     (II) Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel

     Due to the damage of the Administration Building and toll plaza, and the traffic management system has been damaged, the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel (both bounds) cannot be opened soon. Motorists crossing harbour must use Western Harbour Crossing and Eastern Harbour Crossing. To deal with the surge in traffic flow, the TD has urged the tunnel operators to closely monitor the situation and strengthen control measures when necessary. The TD has coordinated with franchised bus companies to increase the frequency of the cross harbour bus routes as appropriate.

     (III) Franchised bus

     As at 10pm, major roads in Yau Tsim Mong District in Kowloon are yet to be opened due to continued road blockages. Some bus routes may be temporarily diverted or suspended. The major affected road sections include Chatham Road South near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (both bounds) and Nathan Road between Dundas Street and Mong Kok Road (both bounds). Police will implement road closure, traffic control and diversion measures depending on the traffic conditions on site.

     (IV) Ferry services

     Currently, inner harbour ferry routes have tried to strengthen their services to address the passenger demand. The TD will, together with the ferry operators and the trade, study the measures to further strengthen the inner harbour ferry services and carrying capacity as far as practicable.

     In addition, traffic lights in various districts have been damaged in the past week. After urgent repair works by relevant departments, most of the traffic lights on Hong Kong Island have resumed operation. As at 10pm, about 120 sets are still under urgent repair. Those in Yau Tsim Mong and Yuen Long are seriously affected and the repair work on some of the road sections including Nathan Road, Argyle Street and Shanghai Street in Mongkok, Tin Shui Road and Tin Shing Road in Tin Shui Wai is expected to take some time. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be patient and pay attention to road safety when passing through the affected junctions.

     As traffic conditions and railway services may change within a short period of time, the TD urges commuters using public transport services to allow more travelling time and plan their journey in advance. Details of the latest traffic news are available at TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/home/index.html) or mobile application "HKeMobility".