The SUN HK : Enjoy free tram rides tomorrow but don’t litter, burn wax or fly sky lanterns

Free unlimited rides on trams can be availed of by anyone tomorrow

All tram rides will be free tomorrow, Sept. 17, the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival. Anyone can just hop on the trams that travel along the east to the west of Hong Kong island, and take unlimited trips.

The free rides, which are hosted jointly with Huatain International, also marks the 120^th anniversary of Hong Kong’s tram service.

Meanwhile, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department again reminded people to keep public places clean, not burn wax or put lit candles on the ground, grass pitches or beaches, not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, and not fly sky lanterns while celebrating Mid-Autumn.

Basahin ang detalye!

Locals have been known to celebrate the occasion, also known as Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, by going to high places like the Peak or by the beach, to gaze at the full moon and pray for better luck.

They are also wont to celebrate by hanging colourful lanterns and lighting candles in parks, or go around adorned with glow sticks.

More importantly, local families use the occasion to gather and celebrate being together after time spent apart.

Flying sky lanterns is a serious offence

Apart from the LCSD, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) also reminded the public to observe fire safety and keep the countryside clean during the festivity, which starts Tuesday night and throughout the day on Wednesday.

The AFCD warned that people who go to countryside should not release any sky lanterns to prevent hill fires.

Under the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), it is illegal to light a fire or release a sky lantern in country parks and open countryside. Offenders can be fined up to $25,000 and jailed for up to a year.

Littering in public places including parks, beaches, barbecue sites and the countryside is also an offence that is punishable with a fixed penalty of $3,000.

Also strictly prohibited is the burning of wax, throwing objects onto trees or flying sky lanterns. The offence is punishable with a maximum penalty of $2,000 fine and 14 days' imprisonment.

Separately, the Transport Department said special traffic arrangements will be in place starting tonight, Sept. 16 until Wednesday, Sept. 18 as part of crowd control measures for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

To facilitate the holding of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, road closure and traffic diversion arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of Tai Hang from September 16 to 18.

In addition, road closure and traffic diversion arrangements will be implemented in various parts of Hong Kong Island (including Causeway Bay, The Peak, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Repulse Bay and Shek O) and in the New Territories (including Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Ma On Shan) on Sept 17 and 18.

Some parking spaces, taxi stands and public light bus stands in the above areas will also be suspended.

At the same time, public transportation services will be adjusted as follows:

(i) MTR lines (except the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and the section of East Rail Line to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations) will operate overnight, and strengthen services from 3pm onwards;

(ii) Seven light rail routes will operate overnight;

(iii) Tram services will be extended to 1am of the following day, and will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;

(iv) Three special bus routes (route Nos. N64P, N272 and 173R) will be operated. Franchised bus companies will also extend the service hours of 10 bus routes and adjust the frequency/departure time of some routes respectively;

(v) 10 green minibus routes will extend their service hours;

(vi) 31 bus routes and 14 green minibus routes will be diverted and adjust their stop locations temporarily in connection with the road closures and traffic diversion arrangements; and

(vii) Star Ferry, Sun Ferry and Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry will strengthen their ferry services subject to passenger demand.

For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements, visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the public transport operators.

Everyone is encouraged to make use of public transport as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays.