Central Kowloon Bypass Yau Ma Tei Section opens Sunday at 10am with tolls waived 

The Transport Department (TD) announced that the Yau Ma Tei Section of the Central Kowloon Bypass will open to traffic at 10am this Sunday, reducing travel time between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay from about 30 minutes during peak hours to around five minutes.

The department said no toll will be charged for the Yau Ma Tei Section during the initial operation period. By contrast, the Kowloon Bay Section of the bypass, scheduled to open next year, will carry a toll of HK$8.

Albert Ho Kwan-hang, principal transportation officer (management), said eight bus routes will begin using the bypass starting next Monday (Dec 22).

Among them, three new routes will be introduced: route 33X, running from Tsuen Wan West Station to Yau Tong; route 252S, operating from Handsome Court in Tuen Mun to Kwun Tong Ferry Pier; and route A28X, linking Tseung Kwan O with the airport.

On the same day, five existing bus routes—258X, 259S, 259X, 268P, and 269S—will be rerouted to pass through the Yau Ma Tei Section of the bypass. These services mainly operate during peak hours, connecting Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai with Kwun Tong Ferry Pier.

Ho added that in the second phase, two new bus routes connecting Tsing Yi with Yau Tong and Tseung Kwan O will be introduced, while two existing routes will be adjusted to operate via the bypass throughout the day.

The Transport Department said it will consult relevant District Councils on the proposed changes in the next quarter before implementation. Bus companies will notify passengers of the new arrangements through various communication channels.