[17/5/2021]

With immediate effect, HR88 has returned to its normal schedule,  i.e. every 30 minutes during weekdays.  Public transport operators are having a hard time with the reduced passengers demand, please use and support them whenever you can. ​

由即日起，HR88回復以正常時間表行駛，即星期一至五每30分鐘一班。公共交通工具營運商現正面對艱難的經營環境，請大家支持及盡量使用公共交通工具。​

At today's Southern District Council meeting, the councillors along the route of 43M unanimously objected to Transport Department's proposal to reduce the headway of 43M from 20 minutes to 30 minutes and truncate the route to Kennedy Town (Belcher Bay) by dropping Shek Tong Tsui. We can accept and understand temporary adjustment due to Covid. Our office will also submit our objection in writing including the comments we have received.           

今日南區區議會會議上，所有沿43M路線的相關區議員一致反對運輸署43M 「改以堅尼地城卑路乍灣為總站，不再服務石塘咀，並將班次由20分鐘一班削減為30分鐘一班」的建議。我們接受疫情期間班次需要作出臨時調整。我們會稍後去信運輸署重申反對立場並附上居民表達的具體意見。                                       

We have submitted feedback from residents and our bus stop surveys conducted at Lower Baguio and HKU station. In response Transport Department has added a 8:20am departure for the new minibus 8 schedule which will come into effect on 25 December 2016. 

1. Minibus 8 will be limited to three morning departures at 7:40am, 8:20am and 8:40am from Monday to Friday.
   
2. 8X will continue, with frequency improving from 10-20 minutes to 10-15 minutes, and 10-12 minutes to 10 minutes during evening peak. The first 8X bus will depart at 6:30am instead of 7:10am.
   
3. Passengers for Bonham Road and Caine Road can use 8X and interchange to minibus 10 and 31 at HKU MTR with a fare concession: 90 cents for the onward journey on minibus 10 or 31 (total fare of $8.50 + $0.90 = $9.40).
   
4. Returning passengers may take minibus 10 and 31 along Caine Road and Bonham Road and interchange to 8X at HKU MTR station at NIL cost for the onward journey (total fare of $8.0).

Transport Department Link: 
http://www.td.gov.hk/en/traffic_notices/index_id_47889.html

就早前運輸署的公眾諮詢，我們已將從居民收集到的意見連同於下碧瑤及港大站進行班次調查的數據交給署方。運輸署其後決定由早上兩班8號服務改為三班，即增加了早上8時20分的服務，並於2016年12月25日起生效。服務調整詳情：

1. 8號小巴的班次將會縮減至星期一至星期五早上三班服務：上午7時40分、上午8時20分及上午8時40分
   
2. 8X 將會繼續提供服務，其™š班次將會由現時每10-20分鐘一班增強至每10-15分鐘一班，而下午繁忙時段的班次將會由現時每10-12分鐘一班增強至每10分鐘一班。另外，8X的頭班車會由早上7時10分提前至早上6時30分開出。
   
3. 營運商會提供轉乘優惠，由下碧瑤往般含道或堅道的乘客可乘坐8X到港大站（＄8.50）轉乘10號或31號小巴（＄0.90）前往目的地。總車資為＄9.40。
   
4. 如從堅道或般含道前往碧瑤灣，乘客可乘坐10號或31號到港大站，然後轉乘8X。由於第一程的車資為＄8正，第二程（8X）將不需繳付任何車資。

運輸署連結：
http://www.td.gov.hk/tc/traffic_notices/index_id_47889.html

[Update 跟進消息 - 5 February 2016 ]

We are awaiting proposals from the Transport Department (TD) addressing problems encountered with the 8 and 28 services to and from Baguio Villas.
 
The online petition in November 2015 resulted in 250 submissions to TD urging improvements. My office has also regularly submitted reports of surveys conducted at bus stops and along the route.
 
In response, TD conducted its own surveys in December 2015 of the demand and actual operating frequency of the 8 and 28. The TD is now reviewing the information and various proposals.
 
First, there is proposal for the 28 to go direct from Caine Road to Kennedy Road without passing through the congested Ice House Street. This would reduce the journey time by 15-20 minutes and help improve the frequency. The shorter route would also help retain drivers who are unhappy with the long time between rest stops. Residents at Kennedy Road however would lose their service from Central, and changes to the 28 require consensus and no-objection from as many as three district councils.
 
The second proposal is from the 8 operator who wants to run the 8X only. This is unacceptable unless Transport Department can resolve the availability of seats between Caine Road, Bonham Road, HKU Station and Baguio Villa.
 
The third proposal, a merger of the 8 and 28 services appears to be too complicated.

Last week we sent a letter to TD (click here) urging them to come up with workable proposals, and to present these to you – the residents - soonest.

我們正在等待運輸署提交改善8號及28號小巴服務的具體方案。

2015年11月我們發起網上聯署信行動後，運輸署共收到超過250份居民遞交的簽名及意見。其後我們亦有繼續向署方就班次及服務問題作出投訴。

運輸署於2015年12月進行了一系列的班次調查，以便他們制訂改善8號及28號小巴服務的具體方案。

當中研究的方案包括28號改行28S路線，由堅道直接駛往堅尼地道，不經雪廠街及中環交通擠塞的路段。此方案能將車程路線及時間縮短大概15至20分鐘，有助改善實際班次並吸引新司機應徵。然而堅尼地道的居民會損失唯一由中環往堅尼地道的服務。另外，任何路線改動需要得到三個區議會的同意或不反對。

8號營運商早前向運輸署申請以8X完全取代8號服務。於現在28號服務不足的情況下，在般咸道、堅道及港大港鐵站候車返回碧瑤灣的乘客可能會面對上不到車的問題。署方需研究方案照顧碧瑤灣居民及學生往返該帶的需要。

最後，合併8號和28號服務牽涉很多複雜問題。

我們已於上星期去信（英文版信件連結）要求運輸署盡快與居民會面並交代​改善方案。