Rather, to win this election, candidates must demonstrate their experience, passion and vision for district administration to the electorate.

Some might be disappointed about the electoral reforms and decide not to vote. However, abstention will not help make Hong Kong a better place to live, nor will it change our imperfect political system.

On the contrary, it will send the wrong message to Beijing that Hongkongers no longer care about our voting rights. This could minimise Beijing’s incentive to undertake future political reform, for example, by reintroducing more seats in the geographical constituencies. There is simply no perfect political system.

Abstention as a show of displeasure is useless. A complete withdrawal from the system as a symbol of protest will never generate any positive change.

Voting in this election doesn’t mean that we are satisfied with our current electoral system. But it is not meaningless, either. Although political reform seems unlikely to happen soon, a passive attitude will not help. Instead, we should fulfil our civic responsibility and do what we can to make Hong Kong a better place for us by choosing candidates who work for us.

Christopher Ip, North Point

More parameters needed to decide on bus frequencies

Hong Kong’s Transport Department needs to reassess how feeder bus frequencies are adjusted. Current mechanisms – such as the one applied to Route 272A connecting University MTR station and the Hong Kong Science Park – fall short. Even during the 6-7pm rush hour, buses run just every 15-20 minutes, the same frequency maintained throughout the day except during 7-8am.

Based on an October survey, the department said these services meet public demand. It cited a maximum half-hourly average occupancy rate of 80 per cent in the morning peak hours and 60 per cent in the evening peak hours.

This approach is flawed as it doesn’t differentiate between double- and single-decker buses. It also overlooks residents’ ability to adapt – for example, if buses are too crowded, commuters could choose to take the minibus. This would lead to an underestimation of demand levels.

The government should develop a more nuanced model that incorporates bus energy efficiency, passenger wait time and the ideal blend of single-decker, double-decker and minibuses to better serve commuters.

Chun Kit Chan and Chi Him Chan, Kowloon Tong

Lack of trolleys at check-in leaves a poor impression

The absence of trolleys at the city check-in counters at Hong Kong Station for Airport Express passengers deserves immediate attention from the Airport Authority.

The in-town check-in service is meant to facilitate a seamless and convenient travel experience, yet it lacks the basic provision of trolleys. As a result, passengers have to struggle with heavy luggage. This inconvenience is especially burdensome for elderly passengers and those travelling with young children.

This happened to my elder sister and her husband recently. Both of them are over 60, and having bought many things in Hong Kong to take home to Canada, they did not expect to find themselves struggling to carry them all without a trolley.

An airport staff member told us trolleys could be pre-booked. Such an arrangement, which suggests the airport prioritises convenience for the company over the well-being of passengers, only adds to the frustration.

As an international travel hub, it is crucial for Hong Kong to maintain high standards in terms of passenger experience. I urge the Airport Authority to address this issue promptly and take immediate measures to provide trolleys at the in-town check-in counters. The availability of trolleys will not only enhance passenger experience but also the image of our city as a tourist- and business-friendly destination.

Arthur Chan, Mid-Levels West

Military force is a dangerous substitute for policy

The use of military force as an instrument of policy in the 21st century will ultimately lead to a collapse of the current world order.

Farouk Araie, Gauteng, South Africa