Incorporation of AlipayHK into Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme to take effect January 1, 2025
The Transport Department announced today (December 19) that, in addition to Octopus, AlipayHK will be incorporated into the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme with effect from January 1, 2025, allowing citizens an extra electronic payment option under the Scheme. When members of the public travelling on major public transport services pay for single journey fares with AlipayHK EasyGo or take MTR services by using the QR Code on the "MTR Mobile" application with AlipayHK as the payment source, the relevant fares will be eligible for the calculation of public transport fare subsidies.
Public transport coverage of AlipayHK under the Scheme
Under the Scheme, when one uses AlipayHK to pay single journey fares for the following public transport services (please see Annex for more details), the relevant fares will be eligible for the calculation of public transport fare subsidies:
MTR railway services (except Airport Express, Light Rail and MTR Buses);
franchised buses, including Citybus, KMB, Long Win Bus and New Lantao Bus;
tram;
11 designated ferry routes; and
175 designated green minibus routes.
AlipayHK EasyGo supports the payment of single journey fares for the above public transport services. However, it cannot be used for purchasing designated transport tickets such as monthly passes or day passes at the moment.
Subsidy calculation and collection for AlipayHK users
Single journey fares for public transport services paid with AlipayHK will be automatically recorded in the relevant AlipayHK account. The Government will provide a subsidy amounting to one-third of the actual monthly public transport expenses in excess of $400, subject to a maximum of $400 per month for each AlipayHK account. This subsidy calculation method is the same as that for Octopus users. From the 16th of each month, AlipayHK users can collect the subsidy of the previous month via the AlipayHK mobile application. The period for collecting the subsidy is three months.
Separate calculation of public transport fares paid with AlipayHK and Octopus
Upon the incorporation of AlipayHK into the Scheme, there will be no change to the existing arrangements for recording, calculating and collecting subsidies via Octopus. Public transport expenses recorded separately under the AlipayHK account and Octopus cannot be combined for the calculation of public transport fare subsidies.
Members of the public can visit the website (ptfss.gov.hk) for details of the Scheme. For enquiries, AlipayHK users can visit the AlipayHK mobile application or call the hotline at 3002 0905, while Octopus users can visit the Octopus mobile application, the website (subsidy-enquiry.ptfss.hk) or call the hotline at 2969 5500.
Special traffic and transport arrangements for New Year's Eve
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 30) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on New Year's Eve (December 31) to facilitate the related holiday celebration activities.
Road closures
Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from 2pm that day in the vicinity of Central. The public light bus stands, taxi stands and roadside parking spaces on the corresponding road sections will be suspended. Depending on the actual situation, the Police may extend the closure area in the vicinity of Central in phases.
The TD urged members of the public to heed ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures which may be implemented by the Police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area at short notice, including road closures, traffic diversions, alterations or suspension of public transport services and their relevant stops, to maintain public order and safety.
Public transport service arrangements
(i) In connection with the actual road closure arrangement, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be subject to temporary diversions, suspension of services or adjustments of associated stops;
(ii) The following MTR service enhancements will be implemented on that day:
The train frequencies of MTR lines (except Airport Express) will be enhanced in phases from 3pm onwards on December 31, and the services in other periods will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tseung Kwan O Line (sections from North Point to Po Lam and from Tiu Keng Leng to LOHAS Park), South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line (section from Admiralty to Sheung Shui), Tuen Ma Line, and Light Rail route nos. 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will provide overnight services;
The last train to Lo Wu will depart from Admiralty at 0.56am on New Year's Day while the last train to Admiralty will depart from Lo Wu at 2.30am; and
The operating hours of the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and MTR Bus route nos. 506, K51 and K54A will be extended.
(iii) Eleven special bus services (including KMB route nos. N43, N64P, N71, N243, N272 and N276; Citybus route nos. NB3, R11 and R22; New Lantao Bus (NLB) route no. NB2; and Cross Harbour route no. 976S) will be operated in the small hours on New Year's Day. The service level and operating hours of various bus routes (including 18 KMB routes, two NLB routes and three Cross Harbour routes) will be strengthened or extended respectively;
(iv) The operating hours of eight GMB routes in Kowloon and the New Territories will be extended; and
(v) Cross-boundary coach operators will provide service via Shenzhen Bay Port during the small hours on New Year's Day. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang short-haul cross-boundary coach service will also be strengthened subject to passenger demand. The en-route stop of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service from Jordan to Huanggang Port (northbound) at China Ferry Terminal Bus Terminus will extend service hours on New Year's Eve till 2.30am the following day.
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services
The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on New Year's Eve will be extended to 3am on the following day.
Due to road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Central will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application "HKeMobility".
Details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements will be uploaded to the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) and mobile application "HKeMobility". Members of the public may may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
Source: AI-found images
