Living in Hong Kong 2016 - Transportation

Chapter 15

Transportation Hong Kong is known for having one of the world’s best public transport systems. Car ownership is optional here, as high availability and low cost of public transportation makes it easy to get around. Buses, taxis and trains are clean, safe and frequent.

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15 Hong Kong is a highly mobile city with millions of passenger journeys made daily on an efficient, safe and reasonably priced public transportation system that includes high capacity railways, trams, buses, minibuses, taxis and ferries.

and taxis are often hard to find, especially when it’s raining. Yet the transport system works very well, even during rush hours. The Government keeps a watchful eye on all the various transport operators and does what it can to continually improve services.

Very generous concessions are available for senior citizens on all modes of public transportation and taxis, with passengers over 65 being able to enjoy a HK$ 2 ride on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and buses, a fare of HK$ 1.10 on the regular tramways, and half-fares for The Peak Tram and minibuses.

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the world’s top rated airports, receiving millions of passengers a year and boasting many duty-free and other shopping outlets. Flights to and from Hong Kong connect passengers to China and the rest of the world. Cross border shuttle buses to and from the airport connect passengers to cities and destinations throughout southern China and the Pearl River Delta. The SkyPier ferry service allows transfer passengers from China, going to or coming from international destinations, to avoid the usual immigration and customs procedures. Skylimo offers direct door to door car hire service from the airport to Mainland cities with bookings in advance.

With over seven million people living in Hong Kong on a land area of only 1,104 square kilometers and many on the move every day, it’s not surprising that rush hours can at times be intolerable. Avoid them if there is any way you can. The MTR is typically packed during peak hours (and sometimes on public holidays too), buses are sometimes a mass of bodies,

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Octopus The best way to pay for rides on public transportation is by the value-stored Octopus card. You can purchase them at any MTR station, with values of your choice from HK$ 50 to $ 1,000 to deposit. There are cards for children as well as for seniors.

You may also choose to personalize your Octopus card with your name and photo.

This gives you the added advantage of being able to report a lost card, as well as sign up for reward points that are accumulated like those on credit cards for redemption for products and services. You can also

purchase cards for single MTR trips as well as tourist packages. With an Octopus card, you can pass through MTR gates, board a bus, or get on a ferry with a simple “beep & go”.

Octopus cards are also used to pay for many other things in Hong Kong, including vending machines and car parks, and for purchases at many shops and fast food outlets. Each Octopus card contains a built-in microchip containing information on the remaining value. Life is a lot simpler with an Octopus card; it is one of the first items to get when you arrive in Hong Kong. Upon leaving Hong Kong, you can return your Octopus and get a refund of the remaining value of the card and your deposit.

Automatics Add Value Service Some credit card companies and banks provide an “add value” service (AAVS) for the Octopus card, automatically adding to the balance so that you don’t have to go to a special kiosk to do so. You need to apply for AAVS and be a client of a financial institution that participates in the scheme.

The application process may take several weeks and upon confirmation that it has been approved, you will need to take your Octopus card to a MTR customer service center to activate AAVS. Cross-border Octopus cards are also available for Shenzhen and Guangdong.

These cards can be used at designated transport and retail service providers in Hong Kong as well as on the Mainland, enabling seamless purchases on both sides of the border. www.octopuscards.com

Modes of Transportation MTR (MTR Corporation Limited) The most widely used mode of transportation in Hong Kong is the Mass

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Transit Railway (MTR). The territory-wide commuter network has expanded to include interchange stations that provide convenient transfer points among the nine lines: Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island, Tsueng Kwan O, Tung Chung, Disneyland Resort, East Rail, West Rail and Ma On Shan. The total network currently has 87 stations and 68 Light Rail stops.

Kowloon to Central are also currently under construction.

The West Island Line extension was completed in 2015 with three new MTR stations opened at Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong University and Kennedy Town.

The MTR now includes the stations and train routes that were formerly operated by the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR). Since the MTR and KCR merger in 2007, routes and services from the Hung Hom station include frequent daily links to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau on Hong Kong’s border with Shenzhen.

The newest line under construction is the South Island (East) line, which will connect the Southside with Admiralty from four stations: Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang, Lei Tung and South Horizons. Construction started in the summer of 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

Two other line extensions with links from Sha Tin in the New Territories through

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The Light Rail, also managed by the MTR, provides local transportation to residents of Northwest New Territories. The MTR provides bus services to facilitate the interchange of passengers between the Light Rail and West Rail networks.

MTR provides intercity through train passenger services between Hong Kong and Mainland destinations such as Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. Trains running between Hung Hom and Guangzhou East depart daily with a journey time of about two hours.

The MTR also operates the Airport Express, which provides service to and from the Hong Kong International Airport from both the Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station.

The journey between the Airport and the city takes less than half an hour. The Airport Express stations in Hong Kong and Kowloon allow for convenient in-town check-in desks and regular Airport Express shuttle bus services to and from major hotels.

The check-in service allows passengers, on many major airlines, to collect their boarding pass from 90 minutes to one full day in advance, subject to the airline flight schedule. The MTR often offers special discounts and incentives. www.mtr.com.hk If you see a sign that says “Subway”, don’t expect it to lead to the MTR. The term “subway”, commonly used to refer to underground railways in the US, does not mean the same thing in Hong Kong. Here it indicates an underground walkway provided for crossing very busy streets.

Taxi Taxis are a key transportation service in Hong Kong. At present there are more than 18,000 taxis that cover three broad areas: urban taxis (red), New Territories taxis (green) and Lantau taxis (blue).

Red urban taxis operate throughout Hong Kong and Kowloon (except roads in South Lantau). Most red taxis will take a fare cross-harbor from Hong Kong to Kowloon and vice-versa. However, some drivers may decline taking you if it is close to their shift change or if they feel they do not know the destination. It is always best to ask the driver if they will take you cross-harbor before jumping in. The tunnel fee for the cross-harbor trip will be added to your fare.

Red urban taxis and Lantau’s blue taxis

are allowed to operate on a limited basis to Discovery Bay. The taxis are permitted to enter through a tunnel and can only drop off and collect passengers outside the Auberge Hotel located in Discovery Bay North.

Green taxis operate primarily in the New Territories and in certain urban locations through specified routes. Blue taxis operate only on Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok. All taxis are allowed to provide service at Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.

There are many designated taxi pick-up and drop-off points. Look for the signage on the streets, and the best tell-tale sign – a line of waiting taxis. There are also specially designated places for cross-harbor taxis.

You may hail a taxi on some streets. Taxis with a red “For Hire” sign visible through the windshield indicate they are available for hire. However, during specific times of the day, and especially on main streets and thoroughfares, taxis are not allowed to stop along roads with “no stopping” restrictions and at roadsides marked with yellow lines.

All taxis are metered and equipped with receipt-printing machines. It is an offense for taxi drivers to refuse to issue a receipt upon request. In case the receipt-printing machine fails to operate, the taxi driver should issue a handwritten receipt. The driver must display his driver ID card and number on the dashboard. Most taxi drivers have a basic knowledge of place names in English. If a driver doesn’t understand where you want to go, you just need to repeat your destination on his radio-link, and a dispatcher at his company will give him the directions. Alternatively, you can use your smartphone map application to show the driver your destination.

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15 The base fare for urban taxis is currently HK$ 22 for the first two kilometers and HK$ 1.60 for every 200 meters thereafter for fares up to HK$ 78. The incremental charge is lowered to HK$ 1 for every 200 meters above the HK$ 78 threshold.

Fares for green taxis in the New Territories is HK$ 18.50 for the first two kilometers and HK$ 1.40 for every additional 200 meters up to the HK$ 60.50 threshold, after which it falls to HK$ 1 for every 200 meters.

A flag fall for Lantau’s blue taxis is HK$ 17 and HK$ 1.40 for every 200 meters thereafter for fares up to HK$ 132. The charge is lowered to HK$ 1.20 for fares above HK$ 143.

Pay for taxi fare with cash (only a small number of taxis accept Octopus cards now).

In the morning or at the beginning of a shift, taxi drivers may not be able to give change for large bills. Be prepared with twenty-, fiftyor hundred-dollar bills when you plan to take a taxi. The driver is not obligated to carry change and it is not an offense for taxi drivers to not give change for HK$ 500 or $ 1,000 notes.

There are additional charges for hiring a taxi arranged through telephone booking, for luggage, baby strollers and for animals in carriers. Wheelchairs and crutches carried by disabled passengers are free of additional charge. Tunnel fees are also extra. Typically riders round up fares to the next dollar as a gratuity, though it is not required.

If a taxi’s meter is covered with a cloth or displays the “out of service” sign, it usually means the driver is about to change shift and has to go to a certain destination to meet the next driver. If you are going his

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way, he may take you. Shifts change at around 11am, 4pm and 11pm.

Lost Property on Taxi Forgetting or losing property on a taxi happens frequently. If you have a receipt for your fare, it will be very useful for you to locate the taxi you left something on. You can also call the Road Co-op Lost & Found 24-Hour Free Hotline For Lost Property for assistance: 1872 920 A list of taxi services and call stations is available on the Hong Kong Transportation Department website. www.td.gov.hk

Buses Bus services in Hong Kong are divided into three types: Franchised bus, Non-franchised bus and Public Light Bus (also known as minibus).

Franchised Services Franchised bus services provide the majority of all bus services in Hong Kong. Franchised buses are generally double-decked, clean and air-conditioned. The routes and fares of the franchised buses are regulated by the Hong Kong Transport Department. There are five privately owned bus companies that provide franchised bus service across Hong Kong, operating more than 700 routes.

The websites of these bus companies have excellent information on bus routes and arrangements in case of special events and festivals. All bus companies have added apps for mobile devices to enable easier access to bus information such as routes and frequency of services. All franchised buses take change or Octopus cards for payment – if you pay by cash, bear in mind that you will not get change.

Citybus provides service on Hong Kong Island, Tung Chung/Airport, and cross-harbor routes. www.nwstbus.com.hk

buses often provide tailor-made services to specific groups of passengers. These buses include: • • • • • •

Tourist services Hotel services School services Employee services Residential services Contract hire services

Minibuses Other transportation modes include 16seater minibuses. There are two types:

Green Roof Minibuses

Kowloon Motor Bus Company provides service on Kowloon, New Territories, and cross-harbor routes. www.kmb.hk Long Win Bus Company provides service on routes to North Lantau, Tung Chung, Disneyland Resort, and routes shuttling between the Airport and New Territories. www.kmb.hk The New Lantao Bus Company provides service on Lantau Island and New Territories routes. www.newlantaobus.com

Green roof minibuses operate on fixed routes and have a set fee shown in the window. Passengers pay in exact change or by Octopus card when they get on the vehicle. These “green” buses have route numbers, and information on the routes (as well as all forms of public transportation) can be found at the Hong Kong Transport Department website. www.td.gov.hk

Red Roof Minibuses Minibuses with red roofs have no government-fixed routes, although routes tend to be fixed by demand and familiarity.

The fare is posted on the windshield. On these minibuses, passengers pay the fare by cash either when they step on or get off the vehicle. Only a few red minibuses accept payment by Octopus card. Bus drivers will

New World First Bus Services provides service on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Tseung Kwan O and cross–harbor routes. www.nwstbus.com.hk

Non-Franchised Services Non-Franchised bus services supplement the mass carriers. Their role includes filling in passenger demand where it is not met by the regular public transport services. These

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15 give change, but don’t ask the driver to break HK$ 500 note unless you want a quick lesson in Cantonese expletives. The “red” minibuses do not have route numbers, so you must look for the destination signage on the bus to know where you are going.

Trams The only trams in Hong Kong are on the Island.

Hong Kong Tramways Limited operates a fleet of 163 tramcars including two antique tramcars on six overlapping electric routes on 13 kilometers of double track along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, and about three kilometers of single track around Happy Valley.

Hong Kong’s fleet of double-deck trams is the largest in the world. Since 1904 trams have been and still are one of the most economical forms of transportation in Hong Kong. Fares on the tram, referred to by many locals as the “ding ding” because of the sound that it makes as it goes down the

street, are still one of the best bargains in Hong Kong; no matter how far you travel, the ride costs a flat fare of HK$ 2.30 for adults, HK$ 1.20 for children under 12 and HK$ 1.10 for seniors. You pay by cash or Octopus card. Since 1904, passengers have relied on them for daily commutes. Today, an average of 200,000 passengers ride the tram every day.

Hong Kong Tramways operates specially outfitted/open top trams for which can be hired for private tours and parties. www.hktramways.com

The Peak Tram There’s no better way to reach the scenic Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s number one tourist attraction, than by taking the equally spellbinding Peak Tram. The funicular Peak Tram runs from Central, near the St John’s Building on Garden Road, to the Peak. The journey takes only eight minutes, offering passengers an unfolding canvas of stunning views over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour as the tram ascends.

The Peak Tram is a 120-year-old iconic

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piece of Hong Kong. On its first day of commercial operations on May 30, 1888, it attracted 600 passengers. Today this steep ride up to the Peak, with its panoramic view of Hong Kong, attracts millions and serves not only tourists going to Victoria Peak to sight-see, but also local residents of Mid-Levels, who rely on the Peak Tram for their daily transport from home to school and work. Because of its popularity, expect long lines at the terminus, especially on weekends and holidays.

There are many franchised and licensed ferry services around the inner harbor and to many of the outlying islands. Twenty regular passenger ferry services have routes to outlying islands and across the harbor. “Kaitos� are ferry services that are licensed to serve remote coastal settlements.

Schedules, fares and routes vary. Details of these ferry services are available on the Hong Kong Transport Department website, under Transport in Hong Kong, Public Transport, Ferries. www.td.gov.hk

A single trip on the tram for adults costs HK$ 28; round-trip fare is HK$ 40. A Peak Tram Sky Pass includes a trip on the tram as well as access to the Sky Terrace 428, which provides a 360-degree viewing platform to see the panoramic views of Hong Kong. www.thepeak.com.hk

Some of the major ferry services providing transportation to and from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon operate from the Central Pier.

These include:

Ferry Hong Kong ferries serve as both vital public transportation and a first-rate tourist attraction.

Star Ferry The Star Ferry is the most famous and most frequently used ferry service in Hong Kong. It operates two franchised services with its fleet of nine ferries. One service is from Central Pier 7 to Tsim Sha Tsui, and the other from Wan Chai (at the Ferry Pier at Convention Avenue) to Tsim Sha Tsui. It also provides the only licensed ferry tour around the harbor. Fares on the upper deck now cost HK$ 2.50 on weekdays and HK$ 3.40 on weekends and public holidays for adults, HK$ 1.50 on weekdays and HK$ 2.10 on weekends and public holidays for children three to 12 years old; it is free for passengers aged 65 and above with a Senior Citizen card or Elder Octopus card. Monthly and tourist tickets are also available. www.starferry.com.hk

Cheung Chau Ferry service to Cheung Chau operates from Pier No. 5. The service is provided by New World First Ferry Services Limited. There are both fast and ordinary services. Ferry service to Cheung Chau during the Bun Festival increases in frequency in anticipation of the demand. www.nwff.com.hk

Discovery Bay The Discovery Bay Ferry operates from Pier No. 3. It is a privately owned and operated ferry service. The trip from Discovery Bay to Central takes 25-30 minutes. The service is 24-hours, and the frequency of sailings is generally 20-30 minutes. Sailings are less frequent after midnight.

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15 The fares vary depending on whether you are using a Transport Card (“T-Card�) with stored points, which is purchased for multiple trips; an Octopus card; or by single trip tokens, which can be purchased at the pier. Generally the fares are from HK$ 37 to HK$ 57 for an adult and HK$ 18 to HK$ 36.10 for a child or senior for a single trip depending on the method of payment. There is an overnight surcharge per passenger for trips taken on or after 12:00 midnight and before 6:00 am. Schedules and fares may change from time to time, so it is best to check on the Discovery Bay Transportation Services website. Pets are allowed with some guidelines and restrictions. www.dbay.com.hk

residential development on the small island of Ma Wan, which is just under the Tsing Ma Bridge. www.pitcl.com.hk

The DB Timetable provides a schedule of all the buses and ferries connecting Discovery Bay with the rest of Hong Kong. http://db.tdw.hk

Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island

Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay), Lantau Island Ferry service to Mui Wo, Lantau Island, operates from Pier No. 6. The service is provided by New World First Ferry Services Limited. There are fast services with catamarans that have a capacity of 230400 passengers. Ordinary ferry services are provided by double-deck, and sometimes triple-deck boats with a capacity of 500 to 1,500 passengers. The pier at Mui Wo is located next to the bus terminus, where passengers can access bus routes to Ngong Ping, Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Giant Buddha, Tai O and Tung Chung. www.nwff.com.hk

Park Island, Ma Wan Ferry service to Park Island, Ma Wan, operates from Pier No. 2. It is operated

by Park Island Transport Company and provides transport to and from the private

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Peng Chau Ferry service to Peng Chau operates from Pier No. 6. Catamaran and monohull ferries are supplied by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings (HKKF) and carry 180 to 300 passengers. www.hkkf.com.hk

Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island Ferry service to Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, operates from Pier No. 4. Ferries are supplied by a subsidiary of Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings (HKKF) and carry up to 200 passengers. www.hkkf.com.hk

Ferry service to Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, operates from Pier No. 4. Ferries to the main village on Lamma are supplied by a subsidiary of Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings (HKKF). Catamarans and monohull ferries carry 170 to 480 passengers. www.hkkf.com.hk

Private Car Although the costs of owning and operating a car in Hong Kong are very high, the number of private cars keeps increasing.

The annual license fee is based on the engine size; for petrol-operated private cars this fee also includes a Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme (TAVAS) tariff.

New cars bought in Hong Kong are subject to a first-registration tax starting from 40 to 115 percent based on the taxable value of private cars. There is a tax incentive scheme for environmentally friendly petrol private cars. Owners who bring their cars from overseas are also subject to this tax. Driving is on the left side of the road, so if you bring your car to Hong Kong, make sure it has been converted to right-hand drive.

If you possess a valid driver’s license from the US or have an international driver’s license and are over 18, you may drive in Hong Kong for one year, provided you are not a resident in Hong Kong. The same holds true for British citizens. If you plan to stay in Hong Kong for more than one year, you must obtain a Hong Kong license at the outset. www.td.gov.hk

Cycling Information Centre, on the Transport Department website, provides a one-stop platform for those who are interested in cycling activities. www.td.gov.hk Hong Kong Cycling Alliance also provides upto-date information on cycling in Hong Kong. http://hkcyclingalliance.org

Road and Cross Harbor Tunnels Uber In recent years, Uber has been a significant game-changer for transportation worldwide.

Download the Uber app and you will be connected to a private sedan or taxi – from low-cost to premium – in just a few minutes.

Despite its controversy, the convenience of this service ensures it as a popular choice, especially in areas with low taxi numbers. www.uber.com

Biking Hong Kong seems like an unlikely place to get around on two wheels, but avid bikers enjoy the benefits of environmental friendliness while staying fit and healthy. Though not legally enforced, it is recommended that cyclists wear a helmet, especially in areas with high traffic. Major cycling tracks and parking sites can be found all over the New Territories, while cycling tracks can be found on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon as well. Bikes are available to rent or hire all over the SAR.

There are user fees for various roads and cross-harbor tunnels. Fees vary according to vehicle type such as motorcycle, private cars, taxis, bus and different weighted goods vehicles. Some fees, such as the one for Aberdeen Tunnel, is a HK$ 5 flat toll. However, most of the fees vary. The Tai Lam Tunnel, which links Kowloon to the Northwest New Territories, is HK$ 36; and the Lantau Link, which links the International Airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, is HK$ 30 for private cars. The three cross-harbor tunnels – the Central Harbour (which is the most congested at all times of the day), the Eastern Harbour and Western Harbour Tunnels can be expensive and range in prices from HK$ 20 to HK$ 60 per trip per private car. The toll rates of all the tunnels are provided on the Transport Department website under, Transport in Hong Kong, Tunnels & Bridges. www.td.gov.hk

Cars Whether you are searching for a Mini Cooper or a Mercedes Benz, Hong Kong has dealerships for all major car brands.

With the purchase of a car you will be charged a first-registration tax based on the taxable value of the car. There is also an annual license fee ranging from HK$ 3,929 to $ 12,789 depending on the engine’s cubic capacity and whether it is gas or diesel powered. www.td.gov.hk

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For the car driver who wishes to make their vehicle really unique, the Hong Kong Government auctions special number plates. You can search online for the availability of a personalized vehicle registration mark (PVRM) and submit an application to bid for it via auction. www.gov.hk

Car Parks Parking for cars is expensive and limited.

It is not a given that a car park space is included or available with your apartment lease, so ask this question in advance if you plan to keep a car. Renting a car park space can be very expensive, and spaces are scarce. Some spaces are available for purchase at prices equivalent to that of a small apartment.

Parking is available at all major malls, and often the mall management or individual merchants will offer a few hours of free parking with purchases at their stores or for dining at their restaurants.

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There are Transport Department multi-story car parks, managed by private contractors throughout Hong Kong. The addresses of all car parks are provided on the Transport Department website under Transport in Hong Kong, Parking, and Car parks. www.td.gov.hk Wilson Parking operates and manages many stand-alone parking spaces in buildings and lots all over Hong Kong. To find out the locations of their car parks, go to their website. www.wilsonparking.com.hk As well as cash, payment for car parks may be made by Octopus, Visa, MasterCard and Autopark.

Airport Transfer The airport at Chek Lap Kok on north Lantau Island has two runways and is designed to handle 35 million passengers and three million metric tons of air cargo a year.

Travelers to the airport have a choice of MTR, road or ferry transport. The Airport

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15 Express MTR line provides service from several stations and interchanges on the Tung Chung line. The Airport Express permits in-town check-in at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations with the purchase of a ticket. Free shuttles from many major hotels and transport interchanges are available to the two in-town check-in stations. It takes less than half an hour to reach Central, and a single journey same day is from HK$ 60 to $ 100.

The estimated taxi fares from the airport to major areas are about HK$ 280 for Causeway Bay, HK$ 290 for Central, HK$ 230 for Tsim Sha Tsui and HK$ 195 for Tsuen Wan. Other means of transport are KMB’s Airbus or Citybus’s City Flyer, which runs to most parts of Hong Kong as well as to many hotels. www.hongkongairport.com

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Formal construction of the Hong KongZhuhai-Macau Bridge began in December 2009, and construction of the Hong Kong section began in December 2011.This bridge will span over 50 kilometers (31 miles) and will link together Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai. This will provide Hong Kong with a road connection to the cities to the west of the Pearl River Delta. Once completed, it will allow travelers from Hong Kong to reach either city by car in around 40 minutes.

Drunk-Driving It is a criminal offense to drive under the influence of alcohol in Hong Kong. The Police have the power to ask drivers to take a screening breath test if he or she is involved in an accident, has committed a moving-traffic offense or is suspected to be drunk-driving. The current alcohol limit is set as follows: • 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood; or

• 22 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of breath; or • 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of urine.

Upon conviction, the offender is liable for the following penalties: • Maximum fine of HK$ 25,000 and imprisonment for three years • Disqualification from driving for no less than three months on first conviction and no less than two years on second or subsequent conviction • 10 driving offense points incurred • The driver will also have to attend a mandatory driving improvement course.

The same penalty applies for failing to provide specimens for breath, blood or urine tests without reasonable excuse.

Idling Vehicle Engines There is a ban against the idling of motor vehicle engines. A law is in effect making failure to turn off an engine after three minutes at a standstill an offense. Violators can face a penalty of HK$ 320. www.epd.gov.hk

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