the strike triggered the ship impact detection system to issue an alarm and both the road and railway were shut down immediately, severing lantau island and the airport from the city from about 7:40 pm to 10:00 pm. the government's contingency plan to implement emergency ferry service between tsuen wan and tung chung failed as the ferry operator took almost two hours to ready the service. some travelers attempted to reach the airport via the discovery bay ferry pier, although many missed their flights.