People are reminded that 29 bus routes will be diverted from 3pm Monday and a closed area will be set up from 6pm in the Wan Chai area to facilitate the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference, the Transport Department says.

The department said traffic on Hong Kong Island remained smooth this morning as no untoward incidents occurred, adding its emergency transport co-ordination centre will closely monitor the traffic situation.

Speaking at a press briefing this morning, Principal Transport Officer Albert Su called on office workers to take heed of the change in bus stop locations, as 29 bus routes will be diverted to stop at Gloucester Road outside/opposite Immigration Tower or at Hennessy Road near Stewart Road/Fleming Road.

To make way for vehicular flow, more than 300 parking spaces in the area from Arsenal Street, Wan Chai to Hing Fat Street, Tin Hau have been suspended, Mr Su said.

Mr Su called on motorists to avoid going to the affected or congested areas as far as possible, in particular Wan Chai North.

He added traffic arrangements will be adjusted according to needs and drivers should pay attention to traffic signs and on-site instructions of traffic police there.

Ferry services from Wan Chai Ferry Pier to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom will be suspended from 1.56pm today, Mr Su said.

The cross-boundary coach terminal that serves routes between Wan Chai and Huanggang will also be relocated to Central (Macau Ferry) Bus Terminal, he said.

The closed area will cover the conference venue and its environs, including the roads leading to the Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai Ferry Piers and the Tamar Site, as well as the sea area around the Convention & Exhibition Centre. The area will be officially closed from 6pm on December 12 to 5am on December 19.

Mr Su said as the road closure starts at 6pm, all the taxi stands as well as the loading and unloading bays for goods vans in that area will be suspended.

He added Western and Eastern Harbour Crossings will offer 14%-25% concessions on tolls for private cars, taxis and goods vehicles from December 13 to 18 to help divert road traffic from the Causeway Bay and Wan Chai area and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel during the conference period.

For more details of the traffic arrangements during MC6, click here.

Mr Su said according to latest Police information, less than 10,000 people will join the public procession as the MC6 opens tomorrow. Protesters will march from Victoria Park to the Wan Chai Public Cargo Working Area via Lockhart Road.

He said taking into account that tomorrow will be a working day, the closure of Lockhart Road for the procession is reasonable and the space should be sufficient for a smooth procession.

For special traffic arrangements during tomorrow's public procession, click here.

Motorists and commuters are urged to:

* avoid travelling to affected or congested areas, especially Wan Chai North, unless really necessary;

* use public transport;

* avoid the Cross-Harbour Tunnel;

* plan travel early, use alternative routes and allow more travel time to cater for unexpected delays; and,

* watch for Government traffic updates.

Members of the public can also call the department's 24-hour hotline, 183 4567, for the latest traffic updates.