Transport operators beef up services on Christmas Eve

Public transport operators said they will ramp up services overnight to cater for revellers who will be out and about ringing in Christmas. The MTR will operate at higher frequencies starting from 3pm, and most lines and some Light Rail routes will run overnight. Local bus operators will provide extra services on around 20 routes, and a few minibus routes will extend service hours. The government, meanwhile, said from Wednesday to Sunday, there will be extra cross-border transport services on offer. These include additional cross-border bus and coach services to Macau, Zhuhai and Huanggang. In a statement, officials said commuters should expect longer waiting times during the Christmas long weekend. "Passengers should make their journeys during non-peak hours, observe order while queuing and heed advice from on-site police and staff of the public transport operators concerned," they said. "Passengers planning to take cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance." Separately, police said they will close off roads around Central’s Lan Kwai Fong in phases from 2pm, and reminded members of the public to be aware of the crowd control measures. There could also be temporary road closures and diversions in Tsim Sha Tsui for the sake of crowd management.