Provision of alternative electronic payment system in Hong Kong Island Green Minibus Route Nos. 8 and 8X starts
The Transport Department (TD) today (January 28) announced that the electronic payment "Easy Go" System has been put into service in Hong Kong Island Green Minibus (GMB) Route Nos. 8 and 8X (Baguio Villas (Lower) – Central (Exchange Square)) for a trial of operation starting today.
A spokesman for the TD said, "With the advent of new technologies, different electronic payment systems have become increasingly common and diversified in Hong Kong. In connection with the Government's policy initiative of smart city development, we welcome the introduction of new technology in the GMB sector to facilitate fare collection, and provide passengers with an alternative electronic means of fare payment."
The GMB operator has displayed passenger notices at the GMB terminus and inside compartments in order to inform passengers of the service arrangement.
The spokesman added, "The TD will ensure that the new electronic payment system to be introduced by GMB operators for fare collection purposes should be reliable, user-friendly and efficient, in order to avoid causing disruption to the operation of the GMB services or the road traffic conditions, and to protect the interests of passengers and road users."
The TD will closely monitor the operation of the electronic payment system. The TD will further liaise with the GMB operators on the feasibility to extend the electronic payment system to other GMB routes if the trial is proven to be feasible and desirable after review.
Passengers can call the operator's hotline at 2873 6808 should they have any enquires on the electronic payment system.