Hong Kong extradition law: How to get out of Admiralty amid blocked roads and chaotic protests
Workers or others in the area looking to get out later should note that all the main roads towards Central and Wan Chai have been temporarily closed
Protesters have barricaded streets around the legislature. Thousands of protesters occupying all roads leading to Hong Kong’s legislature in Admiralty are expected to remain there into Tuesday evening as tensions remain high over the extradition bill.
Workers or others in the area looking to get out later should note that all the main roads towards Central and Wan Chai have been temporarily closed to traffic. They include Tim Mei Avenue, Tim Wa Avenue, Harcourt Road, Central-bound Fenwick Pier Street, the Wan Chai exit of the westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass, Yiu Sing Street and Queensway.
As a result, various public bus services passing through the area have either been diverted or suspended. Some temporary stops have been set up.
At around 4.35pm, police chief Stephen Lo Wai-chung called on people to avoid going to Admiralty as the force had classified the protests as a riot. From 3.55pm, Exit A of Admiralty MTR station was confined to incoming passengers only.
The Transport Department urged people to use non-road-based public transport as far as possible and to avoid driving to the affected areas.
“If driving is unavoidable, motorists are advised to plan their routes carefully, use alternate routes and allow more time to cater for unexpected delays,” it said.
For non-drivers who wish to leave Admiralty and head to other destinations, they have the following transport options:
1. MTR
Passengers can take the Tsuen Wan line for destinations in Kowloon, and the Island and South Island lines for Hong Kong Island stations. However, since Admiralty is heavily congested during rush hours, commuters may need to wait much longer than usual.
2. Star Ferry
There is a ferry service to Tsim Sha Tsui from the Wan Chai ferry pier which runs at 12-minute intervals between 6.24pm and 8pm
3. Buses
Many routes passing through the affected areas have been diverted. KMB routes 182X, 373, 603P, 680X, 681P, 934A, 935, 936A, 960A, 980X, 981P, 982X and 985 have been suspended until further notice.
4. Taxis
Some taxi ranks in Admiralty including outside the MTR station have been closed but passengers can still hail a cab in unaffected areas, according to Hong Kong Taxi Owners’ Association chairman Wong Po-keung.
5. Trams
East- and westbound services between the Admiralty MTR station stop and Bank Street stop have been suspended so commuters will need to walk beyond that section to take a tram.