The Transport Department (TD) published a Gazette notice today (August 5) to invite applications for passenger service licences for the operation of four packages of public light bus (scheduled) routes (green minibus routes) covering six routes in total in the New Territories.

     The four packages are:

Package 1: Chi Fuk Circuit to Luen Wo Hui (Circular); and
                 Ma Sik Road to Fanling Station (Circular)
 
Package 2: Tai Po (Fu Tip Estate) to Tai Po (Kwong Fuk Road) (Circular)
 
Package 3: Between Anderson Road Quarry Development Area and Sheung Tak Public Transport Terminus; and
                 Anderson Road Quarry Development Area to Yau Tong (Circular)
 
Package 4: Pak Shing Kok to Tseung Kwan O Station (Circular).
 
     Application forms are obtainable free of charge from the following offices:
 
(1) TD New Territories Regional Office, 7/F, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Kowloon;
(2) TD Public Light Bus Section, 11/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon;
(3) TD Urban Regional Office (Hong Kong), 37/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; and
(4) TD Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong.

     Applicants should refer to the details of the public light bus (scheduled) routes and "Guidance Notes for Applicants" attached in the application form when completing the application form.

     Completed application forms and supporting documents (one original and seven legible photocopies) must be submitted in a plain white envelope sealed and marked on the outside of the envelope with "Application for Passenger Service Licence(s) in Respect of the Packages of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Routes Gazetted in August 2022" and placed in the TD Tender Box located at the reception counter of the TD Headquarters at 10/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, before noon on September 30, 2022 (Friday). Applications by any other means or submitted late will not be considered.

     â€‹A red tide has been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (August 5).

     The red tide was spotted by a member of the public on August 2 at East Lamma Channel. The red tide still persists and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Dactyliosolen phuketensis, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Sok Kwu Wan, Lo Tik Wan and Po Toi fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Chong Hing Bank Limited relating to an unauthorised mobile application (App), which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or e-mails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the App concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following appeal today (August 5) regarding a patient who left the hospital without notifying hospital staff:
 
     A 35-year-old female patient left the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) of TMH without notifying hospital staff at around 8pm last night (August 4).

     Hospital staff arranged for security guards to conduct searches in the hospital and its vicinity immediately but were unable to locate the patient. TMH is very concerned about the incident and has immediately informed the patient's family and reported it to the Police. The hospital will co-operate with the Police for the search.
 
     The patient is about 1.5 metres tall, of fat build, with short hair. She was wearing a pink top when she left the A&E.
 
     The hospital appeals to the public to contact Tuen Mun Police Station at 3661 5800 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (August 5) announced that the tender period for the contract for Improvement Works at Tai O – Phase 2, Stage 2 (Contract No. IS/2022/01) has been extended to noon on August 26.
 
     The CEDD invited tenders for the contract on June 30. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on August 12.
 
     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available at the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html).
 
     The CEDD has commissioned Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please contact the company at 2859 1726 during office hours.