KMB mulling new routes to the Country Parks

^{East Dam, High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung}

KMB revealed at a recent press conference that it will study the possibility of opening new recreational routes to hiking hotspots in the Country Parks, such as Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung. Recently, large numbers of people have been going to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir to watch the “Mirror of the Sky”, but there is no direct bus or minibus route. As for East Dam, there is only a minibus service in the afternoon on holidays.

KMB Communications and Public Affairs Department Director Addie Lam Tze Ho revealed to the media that it will study the possibility of establishing temporary routes to go to hotspots for picnics, such as the recently popular hotspots Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, Fanling and High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung. Because of the current hiking boom, he said that KMB would produce e-books to promote outings to these hotpsots. 

^{Long lines waiting for the bus at Pak Tam Au}

Lam stated that the number of passengers on the 275R to Wu Kau Tang in Fanling and 96R to Wong Shek Pier, Sai Kung have increased during the pandemic. Gary Leung, the director of the KMB’s Operational Planning Department, pointed out that the number of passengers on busy days has increased, and the routes to Tai Mo Shan, Sai Kung and other hotspots mean that an additional shuttle buses are required.

The case of the East Dam at High Island Reservoir is a case in point. Currently there is only the 9A green minibus from Pak Tam Chung on Sunday/holiday afternoons. The only alternative are taxis costing around $120 to and from Sai Kung, and it can take two to three hours because of the congestion. KMB are investigating adding new routes in the Sai Kung Country Park to solve the problem.