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City Briefs

MTR to dump one-for-10 fare promotion

The MTR Corp will scrap its fare concession of one free ride for every 10 rides from Sunday. 'The Ride 10 Get One Free promotion was introduced at a difficult time for Hong Kong when it suffered an economic decline made worse by Sars,' said Adi Lau, general manager of marketing.

The promotion was launched in 2001 under heavy pressure from political parties, which urged transport operators to cut fees after the economic downturn. The concession allows frequent commuters to get one free ride for every 10 in a week.

Democrat legislator Andrew Cheng Kar-foo reacted angrily. 'The MTR is such a hypocrite. It makes a profit of $4 billion a year but then most of the ordinary Hong Kong people are still yet to see the fruits of the current economic rebound as shown in many recent surveys,' he said.

But commuters can take advantage of other promotions. One offers passengers who take 10 rides from Monday to Friday a set of Delifrance discount coupons. The promotion will expire on August 14.

Children and senior citizens who use their Octopus cards from Sunday to October 16 will enjoy a flat fare of $2 on each MTR journey (excluding the Airport Express) on Sundays and public holidays, the company said.

Pool closed after human faeces found in water

The discovery of human faeces forced the closure of an outdoor swimming pool at Kowloon Park last night. A swimmer made the discovery at about 7.30pm. Less than an hour later, vomit was spotted at an indoor pool at the same park. Staff removed the faeces and disinfected the water. The incident follows the closure for five hours on Sunday of a Tuen Mun swimming pool after faeces was discovered. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department urged people to be considerate and keep pools clean.

tighter monitoring of contractors proposed

The Housing Department plans to tighten checks on its subcontractors, and proposes terminating contracts of those breaching labour laws or violating their work agreements.

Housing Director Leung Chin-man said the tough measures were intended to phase out unsatisfactory contractors and those who continued to abuse workers' rights despite a penalty system set up last year.

Details on the proposal had yet to be drawn up, said the director, adding that it would help employees of the terminated subcontractors to find jobs with other contractors.

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