Hong Kong residents queue up for a free bus ride during the Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021 in Hong Kong. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong residents enjoyed free rides on most routes of the public transport systems on Sunday, as the government has made special arrangements for the polling day of the 2021 Legislative Council General Election.
The free rides cover services by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus, Long Win Bus, New Lantao Bus and Tramways, except the MTR's Airport Express, franchised buses' airport and border routes as well as sightseeing routes. Some overnight bus "N" routes, new long-haul services "P" routes, and southern Lantau routes are also not covered.
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In a press release issued on Dec 10, a spokesman for the government said it appreciated the special arrangement provided by the public transport operators on the polling day.
The Transport Department will closely monitor the traffic conditions on that day and coordinate with public transport operators to meet passenger demand on the polling day, according to the press release. The department will also implement traffic management measures with the police.
A man taps his Octopus card for a free bus ride during the Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021 in Hong Kong. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
A child taps his Octopus card for a free bus ride during the Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021 in Hong Kong. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
A signboard saying "Free travel today" is displayed near an exit gate at an MTR station during the Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021 in Hong Kong. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)
A man walks through an entry gate at an MTR station for a free ride during the Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021 in Hong Kong. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)
A woman looks at an entry gate at an MTR station during the Legislative Council General Election on Dec 19, 2021 in Hong Kong. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)