Extending Closed Road Permit validity period and adjusting fees from January 1, 2026
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (December 10) that, starting from January 1, 2026, all submitted applications for a Closed Road Permit (CRP) for cross-boundary vehicles will be issued with a longer validity period to better align with the validity period of respective cross-boundary quotas or up to 60 months at most, whichever is shorter, providing additional convenience and efficiency for cross-boundary travel as quota holders need not apply for annual renewals.
In addition, from the same day, the CRP fees will also be adjusted based on the cost-recovery principle:
Vehicle type
Fee per month for CRP valid for less than 12 months
($) (Note)
Flat rate fees for CRP valid for 12 to 60 months
($)
Private car
62
744
Goods vehicle or bus
49
588
Note: Any part of a month counting as one month
For applications received on or before December 31, 2025, the validity period of the CRP issued will remain no more than 12 months, and the CRP fees will be kept at the existing levels.
To streamline processes, from January 1, 2026, cross-boundary private cars permitted to use more than one land-based boundary control point (BCP) will be issued with a single CRP covering all BCPs concerned.
A spokesman for the TD said that the Government is committed to enhancing the CRP arrangements to bring greater convenience to cross-boundary travellers. Under the new arrangements, most CRP holders will benefit from less frequent renewals and a lower aggregated amount of CRP fee payable. Of note, vehicles approved to participate in the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles, the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles or other designated cross-boundary driving schemes have been exempted from applying for CRPs and will not be affected by the fee adjustment.
For enquiries, members of the public may call the TD's hotline at 2804 2600 for details.
The Transport Department, Photo by Bastille Post
Recruitment under Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth Phase 9 starts today
The Government today (December 10) started recruitment under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) Phase 9. The application period will close on January 8, 2026.
A spokesman for the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) said, "The MSSY is one of the key initiatives for youth development as set out in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint. To engage more young people in public affairs and enhance their interaction with and trust in the Government, action has been taken to expand the MSSY, with a view to increasing the number of participating advisory committees from around 60 in 2022 to no less than 180 within the current term of the Government. At present, about 650 posts are held by young people who have been appointed to various advisory and statutory bodies of the Government, directly or indirectly, through the MSSY. The overall ratio of youth members in these bodies has increased from 7.8 per cent in end-2017 to 15.5 per cent in end-2024."
The MSSY has received an enthusiastic response since its launch. From the Pilot Scheme to Phase 8 of the MSSY, a total of about 14 000 applications have been received so far. The list of appointees has been uploaded to thewebsiteof the HYAB.
The MSSY Phase 9 is now open for application. The participating committees for the MSSY Phase 9 are as follows:
Sir David Trench Fund Committee
Standing Committee on Language Education and Research
Electrical Safety Advisory Committee
Food Wise Hong Kong Steering Committee
Coordinating Committee on Basic Competency Assessment and Assessment Literacy
Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development
Committee on Consumer Protection Policy, Trade Practices and Redress under the Consumer Council
Committee on Sustainability, Public Affairs and Education under the Consumer Council
Hong Kong Paralympians Fund Management Committee
Publicity and Promotion Committee under the Award Council of the Hong Kong Award for Young People
Working Group on Elder Abuse
Working Group on Publicity under Finance and Strategic Development Committee of Property Management Services Authority
Commission on Children
Green Tech Fund Assessment Committee
Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders
Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Committee
Transport Advisory Committee
Transport Tribunals' Panel
Licensing Committee of the Estate Agents Authority
Professional Development Committee of the Estate Agents Authority
Practice and Examination Committee of the Estate Agents Authority
Disciplinary Committee of the Estate Agents Authority
Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education
Lantau Development Advisory Committee
Appeal Panel (Housing)
Vetting Committee of the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund
Immigration Department Users'Committee
General Support Programme Vetting Committee
"There are 28 participating committees in Phase 9, covering a wider spectrum of policy areas. We encourage young people aged between 18 and 35 on January 8, 2026, i.e. the date of the application deadline, and with a commitment to serving the community to apply for the MSSY Phase 9," the spokesman continued.
The HYAB is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the MSSY. Assessment Panels (APs) will be formed under the 28 participating committees to handle the applications and conduct interviews. Each AP will comprise the respective official and/or non-official member(s) and representative(s) from the responsible bureaux/departments.
The APs will consider whether the applicant has a strong commitment to serving the community, a good understanding of the policy area concerned, and good analytical and communication skills. Following the principle of meritocracy, the Government aims to, through the MSSY, recruit young people who have the commitment to serving the community and the ability to contribute to the committees concerned, for recommending to the relevant B/Ds for consideration of appointment. In general, each participating committee will offer two seats for appointment. Subject to the actual number of applications received and assessment progress, assessment is expected to be completed around the third quarter of 2026.
The application form and other details of the MSSY Phase 9 are available on the website of the HYAB (www.hyab.gov.hk). When completing the application form, applicants are required to write no more than 600 words or provide avideo or audio clip of no longer than three minutes to account for, in either Chinese or English, their suitability for being appointed as a member of the selected committee(s).Applications may be submitted through the online application system, by post or by hand.
Source: AI-found images
