East Dam of High Island Reservoir draws double visitors on New Year's Day

Visitor numbers doubled at the East Dam of High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung on New Year's Day, prompting transport measures to handle the crowds.

Green minibus route 9A carried 4,100 passengers during the day, compared with an average weekend daily figure of 2,000. The route runs between Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam.

Many tourists also took taxis to the dam in the morning, causing congestion on Sai Kung Man Yee Road. Police implemented traffic control from 9.30am to 3pm to ease the flow.

The Transport Department arranged in advance with the minibus operator to increase vehicles from the usual four on weekends to a maximum of 20, with frequencies as short as two minutes during peak times. Service started two hours earlier at 7.30am and extended by an hour and a half, ending at 8pm. The department also urged taxi operators to deploy more cabs.

An information display was set up near Pak Tam Chung to update drivers on road conditions toward the dam.