New E-Payment Requirement for Taxis Launches Smoothly in Tsuen Wan, Enhancing Passenger Convenience.

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement (with photos/video)

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment (e-payment) means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth.

Miss Tse said, "We noted that taxi drivers have complied with the new requirement by providing at least two types of e-payment means, including one each of QR code and non-QR code. Whether scanning a QR code or tapping a payment card, passengers now have additional options to pay fares. Passengers and drivers no longer need to worry about insufficient cash or change, making taxi services more convenient and efficient, and enabling tourists to travel in Hong Kong more conveniently. Clear transaction records also help passengers plan their journeys better."

She thanked e-payment service providers and the taxi trade for their joint efforts with the Transport Department (TD) over the past six months or so in stepping up publicity and public education, and deepening taxi drivers' understanding of the statutory requirement so that they register for e-payment means early. The TD's dedicated service counters set up at three government carparks at Rumsey Street in Sheung Wan and in Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wan will continue to operate until April 4 to facilitate drivers' registration.

The TD reminded passengers to check the stickers on taxi windows or ask drivers before boarding to understand the available e-payment means. Under the new requirement, taxi drivers should note that, if e-payment devices are out of order, they must be repaired promptly or replaced by alternative e-payment means to meet the mandatory requirement, before drivers can continue to carry passengers.

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

TD urges public and visitors to plan cross-boundary trips early during long weekend of Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (April 1) that, in anticipation of a large number of members of the public, visitors and cross-boundary vehicles visiting land-based boundary control points (BCPs) during the long weekend of Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays, cross-boundary travellers are urged to use public transport services travelling between Hong Kong and the Mainland or Macao, plan their trips early and allow sufficient travelling time.

Enhancing services for travel convenience

The TD has been steering local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during the long weekend of Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays to accommodate the diverse travelling needs of passengers, including:

• The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line (ERL) between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau Stations at different times during the above period based on passenger demand for the convenience of residents and visitors;

• Increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to an average of about one minute during peak hours, if needed;

• Increasing the frequency of the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to an average of about two minutes during peak hours, if needed;

• Increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services; and

• The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land-based BCPs will also be increased to a level higher than that of normal weekends, and the operators concerned will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand.

Travel during non-peak hours

It is anticipated that the waiting time for public transport services, including the Gold Bus and the franchised bus B routes, may be longer. Passengers are advised to travel during non-peak hours, maintain order while queuing and heed advice from on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers planning to take cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.

Of note, HZMB users to Zhuhai should note that the temporary link bridge connecting HZMB Zhuhai Port and Qinglu South Road has been closed to all traffic. They should use public transport services as far as possible, plan their trips early and allow sufficient travelling time. The traffic of Zhuhai Port and neighbouring roads may also be affected, and passengers should remain patient while waiting.

As for motorists of cross-boundary private cars crossing the border, they are advised that special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau and the Shenzhen Bay Port, subject to actual traffic conditions, during the long weekend of Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays to secure smooth access for public transport vehicles to the above BCPs. Cross-boundary private cars may experience longer waiting times for crossing the BCPs during peak periods. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.

Information dissemination

For the HZMB, to plan their journeys ahead, members of the public can make use of the TD's HKeMobility mobile app or website (hkemobility.gov.hk/en/traffic-information/live/cctv) to access snapshots of traffic conditions at inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations of the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts "hzmbzhport" or "zhuhaifabu" (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with the traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles must not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.

The public and visitors may visit the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance "Easy Boundary" (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) of the Security Bureau or the HKeMobility for the latest information on various land-based BCPs more conveniently. The TD will provide information on the services and waiting times of the Gold Bus, the Yellow Bus and the MTR. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility.

The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of various districts, the BCPs and major stations, and to implement contingency measures when necessary to meet service demands.

The Transport Department (TD), Photo by Bastille Post