Government Urges Concertgoers to Use Railways, Avoid Illegal Hire Cars for Safe Boundary Crossing

Kai Tak Stadium concertgoers urged to take railway and avoid illegal hire cars during dispersal

The Government today (November 12) said that, for the Kai Tak Stadium concerts on November 13 to 15 and 17, visitors are encouraged to take the railway during dispersal to cross the boundary efficiently and conveniently. They are also urged not to use illegal cross-boundary hire cars to avoid risks.

Make full use of railway during dispersal

The Transport Department (TD) has co-ordinated with local and cross-boundary public transport operators to strengthen their services during dispersal. The MTR will shorten the headways between trains on the Tuen Ma Line. Concertgoers who plan to return to the Mainland on the same day should plan their journeys in advance, and make use of the MTR to travel to Lo Wu Station for boundary crossing as far as possible. The last MTR train to Lo Wu Station via an interchange at Tai Wai Station for the East Rail Line will depart from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm. Passengers should allow enough time to arrive at the station platform.

Concertgoers returning to the Mainland may also take the Kai Tak Sports Park's cross-boundary coach during dispersal. Passengers should purchase tickets from the operators' online platform in advance. On-site ticket sales will not be available during dispersal. In addition, franchised bus companies will provide 11 special bus routes at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area (PUDOA) to major districts across the territory. The Kai Tak Stadium Taxi PUDOA will be open. The expected waiting time will be longer, and passengers' patience is appreciated.

Do not travel in illegal hire cars

The Government reminds visitors not to use illegal hire cars, as the third-party liability insurance of such vehicles may be invalid in the event of a traffic accident, putting passengers at risk.

A Government spokesman stressed that, when taking a cross-boundary hire car, visitors should ensure it has a valid hire car permit for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward. A label should be displayed on the left side of the front windscreen and at the rear of the vehicle, with the wording "Cross Boundary Hire Car" and "" as well as a serial number designated to the vehicle. Visitors should visit the TD's Online Checking System (www.gov.hk/hirecarpermit) and enter the registration mark to confirm whether it has been issued with a valid hire car permit.

Spectators are advised to take heed of the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the "Easy Leave" platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), the HKeMobility mobile app and radio and television broadcasts.

Source: AI-found images

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 12) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 29-year-old Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on September 16 who arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, and seized 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $123,000 and a duty potential of about $99,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases