On the polling day of the 2021 Legislative Council General Election (December 19), various public transport operators, including the MTR Corporation Limited (MTR), franchised bus operators and Hong Kong Tramways, will provide free rides for the public.
Members of the public will be able to enjoy free rides on December 19 for applicable services/routes as stipulated below:
(1) MTR
Applicable to domestic MTR services, including Light Rail and MTR Bus, but excluding the Airport Express.
(2) Franchised Bus
Applicable to franchised bus routes of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB), New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB), Citybus Limited, Long Win Bus Company Limited and New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited, excluding "A" and "NA" routes to the airport, "B" routes to ports of entry, sightseeing bus "H" routes, overnight bus "N" routes, new long-haul services "P" routes, and several southern Lantau routes.
(3) Hong Kong Tramways
Applicable to all tram routes.
The above-mentioned public transport operators will provide free rides from the first to the last departure on that day. Services will be maintained at the normal level and be enhanced for busier routes and during peak periods subject to passenger demand and actual traffic conditions. The public transport operators will separately announce further details of the arrangement.
The Transport Department's (TD) Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor the traffic conditions throughout the territory, coordinate with government departments and public transport operators to meet passenger demand on the polling day, and implement appropriate traffic management measures with the Police. The TD will also timely update the public on the latest traffic information through media, the TD's homepage (www.td.gov.hk) and "HKeMobility" mobile application. Public transport operators will provide additional manpower to provide assistance in maintaining the waiting and boarding order.
Since the free ride day is on a Sunday and the polling day, it is anticipated that the demand for public transport services may be higher than usual. Members of the public should pay attention to the latest traffic situation and real-time information provided by public transport operators before going out. Members of the public are also advised to plan ahead their journeys, reserve sufficient commuting time, and be patient and stay alert to the road condition while queuing for public transport services.
The Government appreciates the special arrangements made by the public transport operators and their staff members to provide free rides to the public on the polling day.
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