District Governance: Optimising Facilities For Enhanced Travel Comfort

Under heatwave conditions, waiting outside for a bus can be a challenge, with the hot air and exhaust fumes from passing buses making for a gruelling experience. Lately, however, many passengers have been able to beat the heat.

Upgraded facilities

Enhancing travel experiences is one of the key aspects of the Government’s district governance measures, and last year the authorities completed various improvement works at the Ma On Shan Town Centre Public Transport Terminus. This included the installation of a waiting hall equipped with air conditioning and seating, allowing passengers to sit comfortably in the cool while waiting for their buses.

The waiting hall, which opened in the first quarter of last year, features a real-time bus arrival display panel, providing passengers with accurate waiting times.

Welcoming these improvements, and emphasising the convenience and comfort of the air-conditioned hall, one passenger commented: “Now it is better inside this room.”

Another passenger remarked: “It is better than staying out in the heat on a day like today.”

Safety enhancements

The improvement works also include the conversion of a traditional “parallel” bus bay to a “saw-tooth” bus bay. This enhances segregation between pedestrians and vehicles, thereby improving safety.

Transport Department Principal Transport Officer Felix Yim reported that the second phase of enhancement works is already underway.

“It would mainly include the provision of two more bus passenger waiting halls and the renovation of the taxi stands. We expect all these improvement works would be completed progressively in 2026.”

All districts

Enhancement initiatives are being implemented gradually at various public transport interchanges in each district. For example, an upgrade to the ventilation system at the Tsuen Wan Bayview Garden Bus Terminus was successfully completed in the first quarter of this year.

Mr Yim explained that the works being undertaken include upgrades to lighting, improvements to ventilation systems, and the renovation and refurbishment of walls and ceilings.

The department anticipates that the completion of the works will result in more comfortable waiting environments for passengers, and encourage continued use of and support for public transport services.