Editorial | Hong Kong must stay on its toes to keep queues for public services fair
The long lines that formed outside Transport Department offices for test-free licence application tickets underscore the problem of professional queuers
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told the department on Tuesday to find prompt solutions after the department’s licensing office in Admiralty reportedly saw scalpers selling tickets to applicants or lining up on their behalf for tickets just to secure an appointment to process a licence.
Hongkongers are allowed to enlist others to help with such bureaucratic chores, but “professional queuers” have given rise to wasted appointment slots, confusion and robbing many of easy access to needed services. Such abuse must end.
Going online should help, but the city must remain on its toes to keep digital queues fair and immune to scalping. The Ombudsman has for more than a decade highlighted concern about touts booking public facilities. If scalpers can use software to monopolise tennis courts and football pitches, licence quotas could be next.
Chan has urged her team to continue upgrading the online booking system, a new version of which should be launched before March. Applicants should also soon be able to secure a licence at all four of the city’s licensing centres instead of just one. A concerted effort is needed to ensure all who need public services have access in a timely fashion with minimal trouble. Such work must continue even if technology brings an end to shameful queues.