Traffic was smooth the morning ahead of the opening of the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference, Principal Transport Officer Albert Su says. He credited commuters for leaving home early and noted about 60% of schools on the Island suspended classes for the day.

Speaking to the media at a briefing today, Mr Su said, judging from yesterday's experience, people have adjusted their habit of commuting by leaving home early and returning home late, extending the length of the peak period.

He said there would be a public procession as the MC6 opens this afternoon. Protesters will march from Victoria Park to the Wan Chai Public Cargo Working Area along Lockhart Road.

Traffic arrangements will be adjusted according to needs and drivers should pay attention to traffic signs and on-site instructions of traffic police there, he said.

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

Noting school classes will resume normal tomorrow, Mr Su called on the public to continue to leave home early and make use of public transport.

He said the 24-hour hotline, 183 4567, set up by the department with 80 lines to answer public's enquiries on the latest traffic situation, had handled more than 40,000 enquiries since its launch on December 2.