Public transportation gradually resumes as typhoon Yagi departs

Public transportation firms will gradually resume services once the Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 to replace the No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal at 12.40 pm on Friday.

The MTR said it was ramping up rail services, which have been running at a limited capacity, while its bus services will resume after the No 3 warning has been issued.

The cut-off time for in-town check-in services at Airport Express stations will be 120 minutes before flight departure until further notice, the railway firm said, adding that the Hong Kong section of the high-speed railway would continue to operate as normal.

Meanwhile, most franchised bus routes are set to resume services from 12.40 pm.

Citybus said it would again operate most of its bus routes and airport buses.

"Some routes will need to be suspended due to road conditions," it said. "Citybus will continue to deploy our frontline colleagues to assess the road conditions of main routes."

Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Bus also announced the resumption of a majority of its routes from 12.40 pm onwards.

Ferry routes to and from outlying islands will begin to resume around an hour after the storm signal downgrade.

Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry said the first rides between Central and Yung Shue Wan on Lamma, as well as between Central and Peng Chau, will depart at 1.45 pm.

Services from Sok Kwu Wan on eastern Lamma to Central will also begin at 1.45 pm.

Sun Ferry said its Central-Cheung Chau service will resume from 1.45 pm, and it first ferry from Mui Wo to Central will depart at 2.10 pm.

"Currently, the sea condition is still unstable, and the vessel will jolt badly over the rough sea. Passengers [should] note that the journey time will be longer than usual and there will be delays," Sun Ferry said.

(Staff reporter and RTHK)