Special traffic and transport arrangements for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 23) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on December 24 and 25 to facilitate the celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Road closures
Road closures will be implemented in Central from 2pm onwards on December 24. The associated bus stops, public light bus stands, taxi stands and parking spaces will be suspended. Depending on the actual situation, the Police may extend the closure area in Central in phases. The bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas may be subject to temporary diversions, suspension of services or adjustments of associated stops.
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 roads closures, traffic diversions, alterations or suspension of public transport services and their relevant stops when public safety considerations arise.
Public transport services on December 24 will be adjusted as follows:
- The first departure of MTR Airport Express from Hong Kong to Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo will be advanced and its service from AsiaWorld-Expo (via Airport) to Hong Kong will be extended;
- The service levels of MTR lines (except Airport Express) will be strengthened in phases from 3pm;
- MTR lines (except Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and East Rail Line section between Sheung Shui and Lok Ma Chau/Lo Wu)and Light Rail route nos. 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751will provide overnight services;
- The operating hours of MTR bus route nos. 506, K51 and K54A will be extended;
- Five special bus services (KMB route nos. N43, N64P, N71, N243 and N272) will be operated in the small hours on December 25. The operating hours of 12 KMB routes in Kowloon and New Territories will be extended; and
- The operating hours of three GMB routes in Kowloon and one GMB route in New Territories will be extended.
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services
The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on December 24 and 25 will be extended to 1am on the following day.
For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
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. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or "HKeMobility".
The Transport Department, Photo by Bastille Post
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drug cases at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 15) and today (September 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.45 million.
In the first case, during customs clearance of a 61-year-old Mainland female passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $700,000 from her carry-on suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 29-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $750,000 in the shoes worn by him. He was subsequently arrested.
Investigation of the first case is ongoing. The arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 17).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 15) and today (September 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.45 million. Photo shows the suspected cocaine seized in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 15) and today (September 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.45 million. Photo shows the suspected cocaine concealed inside the shoes in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 15) and today (September 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.45 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
