Back to school: Acting Deputy Commissioner for Transport Carolina Yip observes queues at North Point Ferry Pier Bus Terminus.

Traffic on the first day of the new school year was generally smooth with public transport services coping with demand.

The Transport Department activated the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre from 6am today to closely monitor the traffic situation.

Acting Deputy Commissioner for Transport Carolina Yip went to the Outlying Island Ferry Pier in Central and the North Point Ferry Pier Bus Terminus to monitor services and queues.

About 90 department staff were deployed to man the centre or monitor the transport situation on site at various interchanges and school areas. They relayed updated information to the centre for enhancing services whenever necessary.

Monitoring to continue

Students have been reminded to familiarise themselves with transport routes to their schools and the department will monitor traffic over the next few days when more schools begin the new school term.

There will be close liaison between the department and major public transport operators.

For information, contact: New World First Bus, 2136 8888; CityBus, 2873 0818; KMB/Long Win, 2745 4466; New Lantao Bus, 2984 9848; New World First Ferry, 2131 8181; and, Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry, 2815 6063.

In view of possible congestion outside schools in the coming days, general motorists should avoid these areas if possible.