The MTR train connecting Hong Kong, Kowloon and the International Airport has been suspended until further notice after anti-government protesters had been planning on Sunday afternoon to disrupt all travel routes to Hong Kong airport.
This happened after what many say was a day of chaos and sporadic violence on the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday. Global media reports documented a violent reaction by the Hong Kong police at Prince Edward MTR station.
Some Hong Kong citizens are fed up and turn to the former colonial power Britain for help. At the UK Consulate in Hong Kong, dozens gather on Sunday calling for British National (Overseas) passport holders to obtain equal rights to UK citizens. The passport was granted to Hongkongers prior to 1997 and is often used only as a travel document.
Protesters had been calling on the public to overwhelm road and rail links to the airport on Sunday and Monday to cause flights to be canceled.
Hundreds of protesters began setting up barricades around the bus terminal at Hong Kong’s international airport on Sunday (Sept 1) afternoon, defying a court injunction that bans actions that would affect airport operations.
The protestors dragged water-filled barriers, tipped over rubbish dumpsters and pushed luggage trolleys to block roads in the vicinity of the Sky City Interchange and Chek Lap Kok South Road.
Police said the protesters also hurled objects at police officers and Airport Authority staff.
Police getting booed at Terminal 1 at Hong Kong International Airport.
The transport department has launched the “HKeMobility” mobile applications for disseminating the latest traffic news. For major incidents, messages will also be sent through “GovHK Notifications”. Please download from Google Play or App Store.
The official website for the Hong Kong Tourism Board “Discover Hong Kong” is posting updates for visitors. HKTB has successfully managed to separate visitors from protesters and no tourist had been caught up in any of the often described violent shuffles. It appears the challenge is not the safety while visitors are exploring Hongkong, but getting from and to the airport.
Hong Kong Airport police
The following information is posted about the traffic situation in the city as of 4.25 pm HK time.
- Due to the road situation, the following road sections on Lantau Island are temporarily blocked/closed to all traffic:- Chek Lap Kok South Road (Airport bound)
– Airport Road (Airport bound)
– Cheong Hong Road (Airport bound)
– Tung Wing Road (Airport bound) - Tung Chung Line service changes :Hong Kong Station To/From Tung Chung Station:
15-minute intervalsLonger waiting times on Tung Chung Line platforms can be expected.
Please allow more time for travel. - Due to road situation, the following public transport services have been affected:The following bus services have been suspended :
– North Lantau Shuttle Routes No. : S1, S52, S56, S64The following bus routes have been adjusted :
– Airbus Route No. (Airport bound): A10, A11, A20, A21, A22, A26, A29, A29P
divert via Airport Terminal 2, temporarily terminate at HZMB HK Port
Suspended Bus Stop : Ground Transportation Center– Airbus Route No. (City bound): A10, A11, A20, A21, A22, A26, A29, A29P
HZMB HK Port, observe Ground Transportation Center and return to its original routeing.
Substituted Bus Stops : HZMB HK Port - -North Lantau External Route No. (Airport/ AsiaWorld Expo bound): E11, E11A, E21, E22, E22A, E23, E23A
divert via Cheong Lin Road and Cheong Hong Road and return to its original routeing.Suspended Bus Stops : Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, Cheong Tat Road, Road Regal Airport Hotel
Substituted Bus Stops : Airport (Terminal 1)– North Lantau External Route No. (Both Bounds) : E23, E23A
Temporarily terminate at HZMB HK Port
Suspended Bus Stops : Ground Transportation Center
Substituted Bus Stops : HZMB HK Port
– New Lantao Bus Routes No. B4, B6 (Circular Route):
Services Suspended
GMB Route No. 901 (Circular Route):
Service SuspendedPolice will exercise or alter the road closure, traffic control and diversion measures depending on the traffic conditions on site. Motorists are advised to be patient when driving in the vicinity and follow Police’s instruction, and watch out for the latest traffic news through the media.In addition, other ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures, including additional road closures, traffic diversion, alteration and suspension of public transport services may be implemented by the Police at anytime depending on actual traffic and crowd conditions in the areas.
Early planning of journeys and use of alternative travelling routes are advised to avoid unexpected delay. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions and suspension or relocation of stops.
For details of the bus route arrangements, please also refer to the websites of bus
companies.Hong Kong Station to Airport / AsiaWorld-Expo Station :
Suspended, please consider using other transportAsiaWorld-Expo Station :
Station closedAirport Station to Hong Kong Station :
10-minute intervalsIn-town Check-in service is suspended until further notice.
- Stonecutters Bridge:
Due to strong wind, the following temporary traffic arrangements are implemented on Stonecutters Bridge:
The middle lanes of Stonecutters Bridge are closed. Only fast and slow lanes are opened to traffic. Speed limit is reduced to 50km/h.Members of the public are advised to watch out for the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, and for the traffic signs on site. - For safety reason, MTR train service has been adjusted because some facilities were damaged at various stations:• Mong Kok and Prince Edward stations are closed; Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line trains will not stop at these stations;
• Kowloon Bay Station is closed; Kwun Tong Line trains will not stop at this station
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Protesters had been calling on the public to overwhelm road and rail links to the airport on Sunday and Monday to cause flights to be canceled.
- The MTR train connecting Hong Kong, Kowloon and the International Airport has been suspended until further notice after anti-government protesters had been planning on Sunday afternoon to disrupt all travel routes to Hong Kong airport.
- Hundreds of protesters began setting up barricades around the bus terminal at Hong Kong’s international airport on Sunday (Sept 1) afternoon, defying a court injunction that bans actions that would affect airport operations.
