港鐵將軍澳綫近期的兩次重大故障嚴重影響居民出行，本站曾就此回顧了將軍澳南過海巴士服務歷史，並就近年社區變化和路況發展提出一系列分析和建議。有關建議引起了西貢區議會的關注，並將於9月18日的區議會交通運輸委員會會議上正式討論。根據會議文件，建議重辦的將軍澳南-北港島繁忙時間過海巴士線從彩明出發，按本站建議的方案二依次經尚德丶將軍澳廣場丶怡明邨丶播道書院及入境處總部接載居民，之後經將藍隧道及東區海底隧道前往港島北核心商業區。由於文件未有提及詳細的港島區走線，本站在此進一步強化方案二建議，供大家討論並希望當局延伸參考。

【 建議隧巴路線696 彩明-中環林士街】

彩明開出後，按本站之前建議，順時針繞將軍澳南一圈，之後經將藍隧道丶東區海底隧道及東區走廊抵達灣仔北並參照隧巴681設主要站點於舊灣仔警署丶金鐘高等法院及中環畢打街，最後加停干諾道中中華廠商會大廈(砵甸乍街）及林士街總站。

回程自林士街開出，參照隧巴681途經香港站、中環交易廣場、干諾道中丶金鐘道丶軒尼詩道丶怡和街及興發街前往東區走廊，隨後經東隧轉車站及將藍隧道返回將軍澳南及彩明。主要上車站點包括中環交易廣場、大會堂丶金鐘廊丶灣仔電腦城、灣仔消防局及怡和街等。

696建議平衡了巴士公司主流設站定位丶與鐵路速度競爭能力丶以及延長服務時間的可能性。惟696於港島走線未能覆蓋西港島商業區丶香港大學丶瑪麗醫院及數碼港等二線通勤地點，本站額外建議另一隧巴路線698P。

【建議隧巴路線698P 百勝角-數碼港(坑口特快)】

百勝角開出後，經清水灣半島及坑口半圈，之後便從寶順路直接前往將軍澳隧道。藍田走線按傳統途經將隧轉車站、啟田道及東隧轉車站。過海後經中環灣仔繞道直達皇后像廣場、干諾道中中華廠商會大廈(砵甸乍街），之後參照城巴30X走線，特快前往西營盤並沿薄扶林道設主要站點包括香港大學丶瑪麗醫院及數碼港。

回程參照城巴30X依次途經數碼港丶瑪麗醫院及香港大學，隨後經山道天橋及4號幹線直達國際金融中心二期、中環交易廣場。北港島另設站點包括夏愨道政府總部丶告士打道入境事務大樓及灣仔碼頭。灣仔碼頭後，不停站直上東區走廊及東區海底隧道返回九龍並按照傳統停靠東隧轉車站丶藍田站丶觀塘警署及將隧轉車站。將軍澳區內走線經寶順路丶坑口半圈及環保大道返抵百勝角。

698P建議主要填補了將軍澳區內690P丶690S以及696的空隙，並回應坑口居民要求特快過海隧巴的聲音。與此同時，698P途經將軍澳隧道及東區海底隧道兩個重要轉車站，本站期望以類似690的廣泛跨公司轉乘優惠便利更多將軍澳區內區外居民，以致使用東隧轉車站轉乘的朋友。

數碼港方向取道中環灣仔繞道，為坑口及藍田居民提供比603和690P更升級的中環特快服務。至於將軍澳方向加停金鐘及灣仔北，一方面為回程客量補強，另一方面亦測試會否有聲音要求數碼港方向加停對等站位。

【建議兩條路線交予兩巴各自獨立營運其一】

細心的讀者應能發現，建議的696與698P港島方向同站於砵典乍街，而將軍澳方向則同站於東隧轉車站。本站期望兩個路線建議能交予兩巴各自獨立營運其一，並提供跨公司轉乘優惠，使兩線能互相之間，以及與兩巴其他路線之間，開創更多跨公司轉乘實例，為兩巴深化跨公司轉乘優惠協作行前一步。

總結而言，本站樂見爭取多時的重辦將南隧巴初見𥌓光。俗語有云不應該把所有雞蛋放在同一個籃子，即使鐵路在將軍澳交通佔十分之大的比重，不少居民和交通迷都不相信能夠打破鐵路迷思之下，多元交通仍然是可持續發展的大方向。寄望西貢區議會落力向運輸署和兩間巴士公司爭取，而運輸署及巴士公司應開拓新思維，開辦路線，早日讓居民有更廣闊的交通選擇。

[Revival of Tseung Kwan O South – North Hong Kong Island Cross-Harbour Buses: A Ray of Hope]

Recent major service disruptions on the MTR Tseung Kwan O Line have severely affected residents’ commutes. This platform previously reviewed the history of cross-harbour bus services from Tseung Kwan O South, and put forward analyses and proposals in light of recent community changes and road developments. These proposals have attracted the attention of the Sai Kung District Council and will be formally discussed at the Traffic and Transport Committee meeting on September 18.

According to meeting documents, the proposed cross-harbour bus route between Tseung Kwan O South and North Hong Kong Island during peak hours would depart from Choi Ming, following our “Option 2” suggestion, serving Sheung Tak, Tseung Kwan O Plaza, Yi Ming Court, Evangel College, and the Immigration Tower, before travelling via the Tseung Lam Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Crossing to the core business districts of North Hong Kong Island. Since the documents did not specify detailed routing on Hong Kong Island, this platform further refines and strengthens the “Option 2” proposal for public discussion and government reference.

[Proposed Cross-Harbour Bus Route 696: Choi Ming – Central (Rumsey Street)]

After departing Choi Ming, the route would circle Tseung Kwan O South clockwise, then travel via the Tseung Lam Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Crossing, and Island Eastern Corridor to Wan Chai North. Major stops would mirror those of route 681, including the Former Wan Chai Police Station, High Court in Admiralty, and Pedder Street in Central, with additional stops at the CMA Building (Connaught Road Central/Pottinger Street) and Rumsey Street Terminus.

The return trip would depart Rumsey Street, following route 681 via Hong Kong Station, Exchange Square, Connaught Road Central, Queensway, Hennessy Road, Yee Wo Street, and Hing Fat Street to the Island Eastern Corridor, then back through the Eastern Harbour Crossing Interchange and Tseung Lam Tunnel to Tseung Kwan O South and Choi Ming. Major boarding points would include Exchange Square, City Hall, Admiralty Centre, Wan Chai Computer Centre, Wan Chai Fire Station, and Yee Wo Street.

Route 696 aims to balance bus operators’ mainstream stop placement, competitive travel times compared to rail, and extended service possibilities. However, it would not cover secondary commuter destinations such as Western District business areas, the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, and Cyberport. To fill this gap, this platform proposes an additional route: 698P.

[Proposed Cross-Harbour Bus Route 698P: Pak Shing Kok – Cyberport (via Hang Hau Express)]

Departing from Pak Shing Kok, the route would pass through Oscar By The Sea and circle Hang Hau, then proceed via Po Shun Road directly to the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel. The Kwun Tong side would follow the traditional alignment via the Tseung Kwan O Interchange, Kai Tin Road, and Eastern Harbour Crossing Interchange.

Across the harbour, the route would travel along the Central–Wan Chai Bypass, stopping at Statue Square and the CMA Building (Connaught Road Central/Pottinger Street), before following Citybus route 30X directly to Western District. It would then serve major stops along Pok Fu Lam Road including the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, and Cyberport.

The return trip would follow route 30X in reverse via Cyberport, Queen Mary Hospital, and the University of Hong Kong, then travel via Hill Road Flyover and Route 4 directly to IFC2 and Exchange Square. Additional north shore stops would include Central Government Offices on Harcourt Road, Immigration Tower on Gloucester Road, and Wan Chai Ferry Pier. From Wan Chai Ferry Pier, the bus would run express along the Island Eastern Corridor and Eastern Harbour Crossing, stopping only at the traditional transfer points of Eastern Harbour Crossing Interchange, Lam Tin Station, Kwun Tong Police Station, and Tseung Kwan O Interchange. Within Tseung Kwan O, the return journey would travel via Po Shun Road, Hang Hau, and Wan Po Road back to Pak Shing Kok.

Route 698P is intended to supplement the coverage of existing services 690P, 690S, and 696, while addressing Hang Hau residents’ requests for an express cross-harbour route. By serving two major interchanges (Tseung Kwan O and Eastern Harbour Crossing), the route could offer wide-ranging inter-operator transfer discounts, similar to those available on route 690, benefitting both Tseung Kwan O residents and passengers interchanging at Eastern Harbour Crossing.

The Central–Wan Chai Bypass section provides an upgraded express service to Central for Hang Hau and Lam Tin residents, compared with routes 603 and 690P. Meanwhile, the Tseung Kwan O-bound journey includes extra stops at Admiralty and Wan Chai North to strengthen return patronage and test potential demand for symmetrical stops on the Cyberport-bound direction.

[Proposal for Each Route to Be Independently Operated by the Two Bus Companies]

Careful readers will note that both 696 and 698P share the same stop at Pottinger Street on Hong Kong Island, and at the Eastern Harbour Crossing Interchange towards Tseung Kwan O. This platform recommends assigning one route to each of the two bus companies for independent operation, with inter-operator transfer discounts. This would encourage greater synergy not only between the two routes, but also with other services operated by both companies, deepening cooperation on transfer discounts.

[Conclusion]

In summary, the long-sought revival of Tseung Kwan O South cross-harbour bus services is finally seeing the light of day. As the saying goes, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Although rail plays a dominant role in Tseung Kwan O’s transport system, many residents and transport enthusiasts believe in the value of multimodal options. A diversified transport network remains the sustainable way forward. We hope the Sai Kung District Council will actively push the Transport Department and the two bus companies to adopt new thinking and launch these routes soon, so that residents can enjoy broader travel choices.