Officials said on Tuesday traffic flows had been smooth along the new Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass on its first weekday of operation.

Assistant Commissioner for Transport Leung Sai-ho told an RTHK radio programme that around 57,000 vehicles used the bypass on Monday.

“Traffic was smooth, partly because it was school holidays and some people might not have been driving,” he said.

“In the past, a very obvious problem is that a long tailback would form on Gascoigne Road Flyover, even on holidays or between rush hours on working days.”

“But we didn’t see this happening on Monday.

"We believe the bypass is playing its role in diverting traffic and improving overall traffic flows across the whole of Kowloon.”

However, Leung added that it had come to the notice of authorities that some drivers had been cutting across multiple lanes in one go or entering the bus-only lane at the eastbound exit in Kowloon Bay.

As a result, more traffic cones have been placed and road signs and markings installed to remind motorists to choose their lanes earlier and not cross double white lines, he said.

On the same show, legislator-elect Christine Fong said she made the drive from Kowloon Bay to West Kowloon Cultural District in just seven minutes on Sunday, a journey that took her half an hour in the past.

The veteran Sai Kung councillor also called for more bus services in Tseung Kwan O to use the bypass once it fully opens next year.

“Many residents want to go to the airport or the northwest New Territories, Fong said.

"I hope that bus routes connecting Tseung Kwan O and Tuen Mun, Kwai Chung, and Tsing Yi can use the bypass to shorten travel times. Then residents of southeast New Territories and Kowloon East can go to northwest New Territories more directly,” she said.

Once fully operational, the bypass will link up with the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel.

Currently, eight bus services are using the new bypass, three of which are new ones.