Traffic was broadly smooth across Hong Kong on September 1, the first day of the school year, according to the Transport Department. However, an i-CABLE report included an account from one student who said traffic congestion contributed to arriving late. The available reports do not show how widespread such delays were.
The department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre began operating in its highest-level joint command mode at 6:30 a.m. to monitor traffic and public transport services across the city. The acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics inspected the centre that morning with the Transport Commissioner and received updates on monitoring and co-ordination work.
About 100 Transport Department staff were deployed to monitor conditions at major transport hubs, school districts and land-border crossings in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.
The department also co-ordinated with police and major public transport operators. Its preparations included response measures for unstable weather, although the reports did not give details of the weather scenarios or measures involved.
The department advised students to familiarise themselves with routes and service frequencies between home and school, and to identify the most suitable transport option.
The official assessment of broadly smooth traffic did not mean that every journey was trouble-free. The i-CABLE report documented students returning to school amid excitement and anxiety, including one account of traffic congestion and lateness. It did not establish the locations affected or the number of students or commuters delayed.
The Education Secretary visited a primary school in Kwun Tong District, where she said the government would continue strengthening values education and digital education. She encouraged students to try despite difficulties.
The department’s reports did not specify which locations experienced congestion, how many people were affected or the results of the on-site monitoring by the approximately 100 staff.