http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4540112
By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 23/12/2010
Visitors to Orchard Road feel the heat of massive jams
SINGAPORE : It’s a couple of days to Christmas and thousands are thronging Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt for last—minute buys, resulting in massive human and traffic jams.
This has led to the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) expressing concern over the situation.
It says drivers and pedestrians could be distracted by the festive atmosphere and be less alert to situations, which could lead to accidents.
So it advises pedestrians to cross at designated crossings and motorists to pay attention to traffic signs.
To facilitate traffic, some roads in Orchard will be closed on December 25 and 26.
For the "Celebrate Christmas In Singapore" event, the following roads will be closed from 1.00pm on Saturday, December 25 to 1.00am on Sunday, December 26:
— Orchard Road (between Scotts Road and Bideford Road)
— The carriageway of Mount Elizabeth in the direction of Orchard Road (between Nutmeg Road and Orchard Road)
Auxiliary police officers will also be deployed at all affected road junctions to assist motorists and regulate traffic flow.
To cater to the expected increase in passenger demand, SBS Transit will also be adding more trips and extend its operating hours for buses and trains.
In addition to the 220 train trips added weekly for December, another 96 train trips will be added on Christmas Eve on the North—South and East—West Lines. 41 trips will be added after the evening peak hours to enhance frequency to 5 minutes on the North—East Line.
Visitors and shoppers are also feeling the heat of the jams.
One said: "I came here to sightsee and it took me half an hour because Orchard Road is just crowded — human traffic and car traffic, but human traffic is just too much."
Another added: "I came to town to hang out with my friends and it took about 30 to 45 minutes. It’s really crowded, but I think it’s ... going to get worse."
— CNA/al
By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 23/12/2010
Visitors to Orchard Road feel the heat of massive jams
SINGAPORE : It’s a couple of days to Christmas and thousands are thronging Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt for last—minute buys, resulting in massive human and traffic jams.
This has led to the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) expressing concern over the situation.
It says drivers and pedestrians could be distracted by the festive atmosphere and be less alert to situations, which could lead to accidents.
So it advises pedestrians to cross at designated crossings and motorists to pay attention to traffic signs.
To facilitate traffic, some roads in Orchard will be closed on December 25 and 26.
For the "Celebrate Christmas In Singapore" event, the following roads will be closed from 1.00pm on Saturday, December 25 to 1.00am on Sunday, December 26:
— Orchard Road (between Scotts Road and Bideford Road)
— The carriageway of Mount Elizabeth in the direction of Orchard Road (between Nutmeg Road and Orchard Road)
Auxiliary police officers will also be deployed at all affected road junctions to assist motorists and regulate traffic flow.
To cater to the expected increase in passenger demand, SBS Transit will also be adding more trips and extend its operating hours for buses and trains.
In addition to the 220 train trips added weekly for December, another 96 train trips will be added on Christmas Eve on the North—South and East—West Lines. 41 trips will be added after the evening peak hours to enhance frequency to 5 minutes on the North—East Line.
Visitors and shoppers are also feeling the heat of the jams.
One said: "I came here to sightsee and it took me half an hour because Orchard Road is just crowded — human traffic and car traffic, but human traffic is just too much."
Another added: "I came to town to hang out with my friends and it took about 30 to 45 minutes. It’s really crowded, but I think it’s ... going to get worse."
— CNA/al
