WE refer to the letter from Mr K. Chan (South China Morning Post, July 23), regarding his suggestions for (1) the introduction of a special cross harbour tunnel bus service which travels from Tseung Kwan O to Central via the Island Eastern Corridor and, (2) increased shuttle bus services between Tseung Kwan O and MTR stations, via Tseung Kwan O Tunnel.
Tseung Kwan O, a newly developed town, has an existing population of around 140,000. There are presently a total of 14 bus routes (including two cross harbour tunnel bus routes) serving the residents there. We perceive that the population of Tseung Kwan O will continue to increase to 230,000 in the next five years, therefore to cater for the future development of Tseung Kwan O, KMB will improve the frequency of existing bus routes with the deployment of additional buses and will also introduce new bus routes in the coming years, in phases.
Bearing in mind KMB's motto of 'Caring for people and committing to service', we constantly monitor our bus services in order to ensure that they sufficiently answer to market demands. According to our Route Development Plan, the existing service of route No 690 and 691 will be strengthened by the deployment of additional buses to the said two routes in the coming months.
In addition, as suggested by your reader, Mr K. Chan who wanted to see the introduction of a special cross harbour tunnel bus service for the residents of Tseung Kwan O, we plan to submit a proposal to the District Board regarding the operation of special morning departures from Tseung Kwan O to Central via the Island Eastern Corridor.
With regard to Mr Chan's request for increased shuttle bus services from Tseung Kwan O via Tseung Kwan O Tunnel to Kwun Tong or Lam Tin MTR Station, we wish to point out that at present, other than route No 298, which travels between Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Lam Tin MTR Station, special departures of route No 93A (Po Lam to Kwun Tong MTR Station) and 98A (Hang Hau to Kwun Tong MTR Station), also operate via Tseung Kwan O Tunnel during morning peak hours at a frequency of three to four minutes to provide the fastest link from Tseung Kwan O to Kwun Tong MTR Station.
Moreover, to cope with the increasing demand in Tseung Kwan O, the service of route No 98A will be strengthened with the deployment of additional buses to the said route by the end of 1995.