I refer to the letters headlined 'Bring back daily bus' and 'Bus would be big help' (South China Morning Post, December 6 and 17, respectively). At present, commuters travelling between Tuen Mun and Sha Tin can take route 263R on Sundays and public holidays. On normal weekdays, they may interchange at Tsuen Wan for a feeder service and bus routes through the Shing Mun Tunnel. In order to better utilise existing resources and to minimise congestion along the bus bay at the Shing Mun Tunnel Toll Plaza, we encourage passengers to make use of the existing public transport service and of the bus interchange. In order to help passengers change buses, a bus interchange package between all Tuen Mun feeder routes passing through Tsuen Wan and those using the Shing Mun Tunnel (including 43X, 48X, 49X, 73X and 278X) will be provided to passengers late this month and in January. Passengers will be able to enjoy a fare discount when using the interchange on the second leg of their jounrey - $2.70 for non-air-conditioned buses and $3.50 for air-conditioned buses. As the existing public transport arrangements are sufficient to meet passenger demand between Tuen Mun and New Territories East (including Sha Tin, Tai Po and the northern districts), we will not extend the No 263R to an all-day service. BENEDICT TAI for Commissioner for Transport
