Hong Kong to offer 71,000 free MTR tickets to mark 28th handover anniversary: John Lee

More than 70,000 free MTR tickets will be up for grabs on July 1 as part of citywide celebrations to commemorate the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, the chief executive has said. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday he would bring forward his annual policy address by a month to September, in light of the Legislative Council election scheduled for the end of this year. A public consultation is set to start on Monday. He said the government would host a series of events across the 18 districts to celebrate the July 1 anniversary, including flag-raising ceremonies, carnivals, gala shows and sports games. “The government will also collaborate with different sectors to launch diversified benefits to allow residents to enjoy the joyous occasion,” Lee added. According to Lee, rail giant the MTR Corporation will offer 71,000 digital tickets on July 1 through lucky draws. Winners can redeem free tickets for designated routes within half a year. The Airport Express will also provide free services to children aged between three and 11 on the day, while those aged 60 and above will enjoy half-priced tickets. Passengers will enjoy free tram rides and Star Ferry trips between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai on July 1. Trams are set to extend the free services until July 3. Exhibitions under the M+ museum’s standard tickets, themed events at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and permanent exhibitions at both the Science Museum and Space Museum will be open for free on July 1. Residents will also get free admission to the Hong Kong Wetland Park, and indoor and outdoor facilities run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department that day. Ocean Park, meanwhile, will offer a 20 per cent discount for a pair of adult tickets and 30 per cent off for a group of three or more between July 1 and 3. Children and the elderly will receive a 20 per cent discount on Ngong Ping 360 round-trip standard tickets. On catering perks, Lee said more than 1,000 restaurants would offer designated dishes and dining discounts to mark the anniversary, while four wet markets managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and shopping centres under the Housing Authority would offer discounts or distribute gifts. The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong also announced that around 80 shopping centres owned by its members would launch handover-related offers until the end of this year. They include dining and shopping vouchers, gift bags, discounted film tickets and lucky draws with prizes ranging from smartphones to trips to Macau. Lee will also start his fourth year in office on July 1. He said he would unveil his latest policy blueprint in September this year, unlike the usual October schedule, and launch the public consultation on Monday next week. He said he did so because Legco would end its session earlier this year to make way for the elections on December 7. Lee and his team are expected to hold more than 40 online and in-person events to gauge public views for the new blueprint. Lee also reflected on his nearly three years in office, saying he had worked hard to transform the government’s culture, accelerate the pace of administrative work and take a proactive approach to city governance. Asked whether all 138 key performance indicators outlined in last year’s policy address had been achieved, Lee said that different departments had met their targets so far and the government would provide a detailed report to the public in the coming blueprint. He added that the new policy address would continue to focus on boosting the economy, exploring development and enhancing people’s livelihoods, noting he would discuss how to consolidate existing advantages, seize opportunities and mitigate risks. “My team and I are willing to listen to public opinions to make government policies and measures more in line with the needs of residents,” he added. Following a safety scare over the discovery of bitumen in the freshwater supply of two public housing estates, Lee said that his administration had learned that it should respond swiftly and relate more to residents’ concerns. He said that the government had previously focused on quality from a technical perspective, but it should address public concerns to ensure that residents could drink water safely. Last Friday, Lee ordered authorities to implement 10 measures to alleviate residents’ concerns over water safety at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court, a week after initial reports of black particles in the supply emerged. He said that authorities would replace 400 metres (437 yards) of pipes and devise a long-term replacement plan for the rest that were lined with bitumen.

Hong Kong to offer 71,000 free MTR tickets to mark 28th handover anniversary: John Lee

City leader also says he will bring forward his annual policy address by a month to make way for Legco election on December 7