https://www.scmp.com/rss/328474/feed The latest Hong Kong transport news, including the MTR, shipping and ferry services. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ambrose Li,Oscar Liu Ambrose Li,Oscar Liu Uber has described Hong Kong’s plan to cap the number of ride-hailing vehicle licences as “unusual,” as the city enters the final stage of shaping its regulatory regime. Andrew Byrne, the company’s US-based global head of public policy, was in Hong Kong on Thursday, where he urged authorities to consider existing demand when setting any cap. The proposed ceiling has sparked controversy. Some lawmakers suggest the government may issue between 10,000 and 15,000 licences, while taxi groups argue... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354366/uber-says-hong-kong-ride-hailing-cap-unusual-insists-it-here-stay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354366/uber-says-hong-kong-ride-hailing-cap-unusual-insists-it-here-stay?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2026 09:16:52 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities have approved 820 additional flights and fast-tracked 4,100 adjustment applications to help airlines respond to sudden surges in passenger and cargo demand amid the Middle East war. “We are actively engaging airlines to encourage them to deploy extra cargo capacity to connect Hong Kong International Airport with destinations currently experiencing service shortfalls due to the Middle East situation,” Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told the Legislative... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354192/hong-kong-adds-820-extra-flights-ease-disruption-middle-east-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354192/hong-kong-adds-820-extra-flights-ease-disruption-middle-east-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2026 06:01:35 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation will largely complete the main structure of a new station on the Tung Chung line by the first half of 2027, using “community-friendly” construction measures to reduce noise. The rail giant said on Tuesday that it would finish boring a 1.3km (0.8-mile) tunnel in the next three months and complete most of the main structure of Tung Chung West station by the first half of next year. The new station is located west of Yat Tung Estate, a public housing estate in western... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354124/mtr-corp-track-complete-new-tung-chung-west-station-first-half-2027?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354124/mtr-corp-track-complete-new-tung-chung-west-station-first-half-2027?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 11:23:11 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Issuing “several thousand” licences to ride-hailing vehicles under a proposed regulatory framework will be insufficient to meet demand, a Hong Kong government transport advisory body has said, calling for a quota that will not compromise existing services. Speaking after meeting government officials on Monday, Professor Wong Sze-chun, chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, said members did not suggest specific numbers for ride-hailing platforms, vehicles or driver licences. “[A level of]... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354001/several-thousand-ride-hailing-licences-wont-cover-demand-advisory-panel-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354001/several-thousand-ride-hailing-licences-wont-cover-demand-advisory-panel-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2026 12:26:51 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse Hong Kong should not limit the number of vehicles licensed to provide ride-hailing services. In particular, every owner of an electric vehicle that complies with the regulations should, in principle, be able to obtain one on demand by paying the required fee. Normal market forces, together with fees and other licensing requirements, will be sufficient to strike the right balance. I have used ride-hailing services a lot recently. Knee replacement surgery has restricted my mobility, and I have a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353552/why-set-limit-hong-kongs-ride-hailing-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353552/why-set-limit-hong-kongs-ride-hailing-services?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Fiona Sun,William Yiu Fiona Sun,William Yiu Road safety has been thrust back into the spotlight after two Hong Kong tourists were killed in a car crash in New Zealand. The Chinese consulate in Christchurch on Saturday revealed details of the fatal traffic accident that occurred southwest of the city a day earlier. The South China Morning Post outlines what road safety precautions motorists should take when driving overseas. 1. What should you look out for at a new destination? In Hong Kong, traffic drives on the left side of the road,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353829/new-zealand-car-crash-how-hongkongers-can-stay-safe-self-drive-trips-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353829/new-zealand-car-crash-how-hongkongers-can-stay-safe-self-drive-trips-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 13:28:34 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Two Hong Kong tourists have been killed and two others injured in a car crash in New Zealand. The Chinese consulate in Christchurch revealed the fatal crash on Saturday, saying it occurred a day earlier. “According to a New Zealand police report, a serious traffic accident occurred on the afternoon of May 15 near the intersection of North Rakaia Road and State Highway 1 in the Selwyn District on the South Island,” it said. “The crash resulted in the deaths of two Hong Kong tourists, while two... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353800/2-hong-kong-tourists-killed-2-injured-new-zealand-car-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353800/2-hong-kong-tourists-killed-2-injured-new-zealand-car-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 05:38:00 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu An elderly man died after falling on board a bus in Hong Kong on Saturday. Police said they received a report at 8.50am that the man in his seventies had fallen while the bus was near 125 Chatham Road South in Tsim Sha Tsui. The KMB bus was operating on route 5 between Fu Shan Estate and Star Ferry. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and took the passenger to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he was later certified dead. Police classified the case as a fatal traffic accident. A KMB spokesman... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353793/man-his-70s-dies-after-falling-board-bus-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353793/man-his-70s-dies-after-falling-board-bus-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 03:59:30 +0000 Ian Borchard Ian Borchard Hong Kong is in a unique position to capitalise on yacht tourism – with over 1,000km of coastline and more than 200 islands, this natural advantage is something few international cities can match. Recent policy initiatives, ranging from new mooring developments to cross-boundary integration within the Greater Bay Area, signal the government’s clear intent to further promote the marine economy. Plans to add over 1,100 new berths and expand key sites, such as the Aberdeen typhoon shelter and the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353168/3-ways-build-hong-kongs-yacht-economy-beyond-infrastructure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353168/3-ways-build-hong-kongs-yacht-economy-beyond-infrastructure?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2026 01:30:04 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will move forward its boarding gate closure times by five minutes and will start boarding passengers five minutes earlier to help ensure on-time departures. The airline said on Thursday that, from June 1, its boarding gates at Hong Kong International Airport would close 15 minutes before departure. The carrier’s boarding time will also be brought forward by five minutes. Cathay explained that late-arriving or no-show passengers were a key cause of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353538/cathay-pacific-shortens-hong-kong-boarding-gate-closure-times-5-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353538/cathay-pacific-shortens-hong-kong-boarding-gate-closure-times-5-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 07:36:39 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities have delayed plans to lower the age threshold for mandatory medical certification for taxi and other commercial vehicle drivers, as well as require annual check-ups, with legislative proposals now expected in the second half of the year. “The government is carefully reviewing the views of various stakeholders to finalise the details and refine the legislative proposals,” a Transport Department spokesman said in response to the South China Morning Post on Thursday. He added... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353518/plans-lower-age-bar-cabby-health-checks-delayed-second-half-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353518/plans-lower-age-bar-cabby-health-checks-delayed-second-half-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 06:06:41 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Budget carrier HK Express will cut its fuel surcharge on flights departing Hong Kong to overseas destinations by 12.8 per cent from May 16, reducing the fee by HK$50 (US$6.38) to HK$339 per leg, the airline has said. The reduction, revealed on its website on Wednesday, excludes mainland China routes, and follows lower fuel prices amid the Middle East war. The budget carrier of Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways also said the surcharge for inbound medium-haul journeys, such as those departing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353443/hk-express-cuts-surcharge-128-fuel-prices-ease-amid-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353443/hk-express-cuts-surcharge-128-fuel-prices-ease-amid-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 10:30:49 +0000 Jeffie Lam,Leopold Chen Jeffie Lam,Leopold Chen Hong Kong will halve tolls for all commercial vehicles using public tunnels for two months from Sunday, in the government’s latest effort to ease business costs after a previous surge in fuel prices driven by the war in the Middle East. Buses, goods vehicles, light buses and taxis registered with the Transport Department will benefit from the measure, while private cars and motorcycles are excluded, according to a government announcement on Wednesday. The temporary 50 per cent discount will... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353359/hong-kong-halves-tunnel-tolls-commercial-vehicles-amid-surging-fuel-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353359/hong-kong-halves-tunnel-tolls-commercial-vehicles-amid-surging-fuel-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 03:53:33 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong authorities have finally begun laying out details on how they plan to regulate ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Tada and Didi Chuxing, months after lawmakers passed the city’s first legal framework for the sector in October. Officials have provided more information on enforcement powers, penalties and licensing arrangements, although the key issue of how many ride-hailing vehicles will ultimately be allowed on the road has yet to be resolved. The South China Morning Post tackles... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353349/what-hong-kongs-planned-ride-hailing-regime-could-mean-your-next-uber-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353349/what-hong-kongs-planned-ride-hailing-regime-could-mean-your-next-uber-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 03:04:01 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Uber Hong Kong has warned that a proposed cap of up to 15,000 ride-hailing permits could trigger a 70 per cent increase in fares and result in 40 per cent of peak-hour bookings being unsuccessful. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan stressed on Tuesday that the government did not currently have a “specific preference” regarding the quota limit, but pledged that a cap would be adopted in consideration of cabbies’ demands and the impact on the taxi industry. A day after the government... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353270/uber-hong-kong-warns-proposed-permit-cap-risks-triggering-70-rise-fares?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353270/uber-hong-kong-warns-proposed-permit-cap-risks-triggering-70-rise-fares?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 09:10:36 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Ten people have been injured in a crash involving a truck and a bus outside a shopping centre in Hong Kong’s Kwun Tong. Police said they received a report of the crash in Sau Mau Ping at about 6.20am on Tuesday, where a light goods vehicle collided with a KMB double-decker bus, leaving eight passengers and the two drivers with mild injuries. The collision occurred outside Po Tat Shopping Centre on Po Lam Road, the force said. According to KMB, the bus was involved in a traffic accident at 6am on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353207/10-injured-truck-bus-crash-outside-hong-kong-shopping-centre?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353207/10-injured-truck-bus-crash-outside-hong-kong-shopping-centre?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 01:16:16 +0000 Denise Tsang,Ng Kang-chung,Oscar Liu Denise Tsang,Ng Kang-chung,Oscar Liu Hong Kong taxi industry leaders and Uber have both voiced concerns over a looming quota for ride-hailing vehicles, despite transport authorities promising to consult stakeholders before settling on a figure. The concerns were raised in response to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s submission to lawmakers on Monday regarding regulatory details, which cited suggestions that between 10,000 and 15,000 permits should be issued. Transport minister Mable Chan told lawmakers a day later that the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353204/how-many-ride-hailing-permits-should-hong-kong-allow-depends-who-you-ask?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353204/how-many-ride-hailing-permits-should-hong-kong-allow-depends-who-you-ask?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Oscar Liu,Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong,Denise Tsang Oscar Liu,Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong,Denise Tsang Hong Kong authorities plan to finalise the cap on ride-hailing vehicles and the technical framework of a long-awaited regulatory regime for the service before making them law ahead of the legislature’s recess in mid-July. In a document submitted to the Legislative Council on Monday, the Transport and Logistics Bureau also outlined penalties for ride-hailing platform operators that failed to comply with the rules. Offenders could face fines of up to HK$1 million (US$127,720) and 12 months in jail... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353118/calls-20500-ride-hailing-permits-keep-15000-cars-hong-kong-roads-daily?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353118/calls-20500-ride-hailing-permits-keep-15000-cars-hong-kong-roads-daily?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 06:56:36 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li An elderly woman tried to fight a younger one over priority seating inside an MTR train carriage in Hong Kong, with a clip capturing the dispute going viral on Saturday. In the clip posted on the social media platform Threads, the elderly woman in one of two adjacent priority seats is seen forcefully trying to remove the younger woman beside her. The older woman pushes the younger one’s face, grabs her hair and shakes her head, while using her foot to push her leg. The younger woman does not hit... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353017/elderly-woman-tries-shove-younger-one-out-priority-seating-mtr-train?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353017/elderly-woman-tries-shove-younger-one-out-priority-seating-mtr-train?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2026 16:31:28 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation will launch a large-scale railway exhibition at Hung Hom station on May 16, featuring four retired trains and a new immersive driving simulator. The rail giant said on Saturday that “Station Rail Voyage: Explorer” would feature an expanded layout with a refreshed look. “The exhibition retains four iconic retired trains on display while introducing a new immersive train driving simulator and a range of interactive experiences, offering the public a one-stop opportunity... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352985/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-host-exhibition-retired-trains-driving-simulator?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352985/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-host-exhibition-retired-trains-driving-simulator?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2026 08:26:02 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong A Hong Kong motorcyclist has been killed after reportedly losing control of his vehicle, which overturned inside the Eastern Harbour Crossing, with police launching an investigation. Police said on Thursday that the accident occurred in Kwun Tong shortly after midnight, at about 12.51am, as the motorcycle was travelling through the tunnel towards Hong Kong Island. The vehicle is believed to have struck the left-side kerb before skidding forward and overturning. The rider, a 58-year-old man... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352685/motorcyclist-58-killed-eastern-harbour-crossing-crash-police-investigate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352685/motorcyclist-58-killed-eastern-harbour-crossing-crash-police-investigate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 02:08:00 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Traffic accidents involving animals in Hong Kong have surged more than 11-fold over the past four years, with advocacy groups attributing it to a wave of pet abandonments and the blurring of urban-rural boundaries caused by large-scale development. The latest data submitted to the Legislative Council on Wednesday showed reports of animal-related traffic accidents received by police surged from 36 cases in 2021 to 416 in 2025. However, authorities do not maintain a district-level breakdown of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352667/traffic-accidents-involving-animals-hong-kong-surge-11-fold-4-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352667/traffic-accidents-involving-animals-hong-kong-surge-11-fold-4-years?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 00:30:05 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong is set to ban electric vehicles (EVs) equipped solely with electronic door handles, as authorities seek to align with mainland China’s decision to mandate physical manual releases on all new cars from 2027 to mitigate safety hazards. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Wednesday that the government was closely monitoring the latest technical breakthroughs and regulatory shifts on the mainland and abroad to ensure local road users were protected by up-to-date... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352631/hong-kong-ban-new-evs-only-electronic-door-handles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352631/hong-kong-ban-new-evs-only-electronic-door-handles?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 10:08:12 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Fewer than 5 per cent of Hong Kong flights for May and June combined have been cancelled, and about 1 per cent for the peak July travel period, aviation authorities have said, despite a global fuel crisis triggered by war in the Middle East. The figures were shared in Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan’s response to a lawmaker’s question, with the minister also revealing the Airport Authority planned to review charges to ease the financial burden on the aviation industry. The Civil... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352602/airport-authority-reports-less-5-cancellations-despite-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352602/airport-authority-reports-less-5-cancellations-despite-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 08:37:08 +0000 Ng Kang-chung,Natalie Wong Ng Kang-chung,Natalie Wong Hong Kong authorities expect the eastern section of the HK$7 billion (US$893 million) Fanling Bypass, which opens to traffic on Sunday, will prevent congestion ahead of residents moving into a nearby new development area later this year. At the opening ceremony on Saturday, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said the 4km (2.49 miles) dual two-lane carriageway was completed just in time to support the Fanling North New Development Area, which is set to welcome its first public... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352219/new-fanling-bypass-section-prevent-road-congestion-ahead-public-housing-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352219/new-fanling-bypass-section-prevent-road-congestion-ahead-public-housing-push?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 09:49:56 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Uber has announced it is acquiring the Hong Kong-based online cab-hailing platform FlyTaxi to expand its taxi services, ahead of the implementation of a regulatory regime for ride-hailing services later this year. In a statement on Friday, Uber said that its acquisition of FlyTaxi was part of its commitment to help grow the taxi industry and provide “greater economic opportunities” for drivers. It also said that FlyTaxi would continue to operate as normal and that nothing would change for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352186/uber-buy-cab-ordering-platform-flytaxi-ahead-ride-hailing-regulation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352186/uber-buy-cab-ordering-platform-flytaxi-ahead-ride-hailing-regulation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 14:28:31 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin More Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be able to drive to Macau for work, sightseeing, family visits and business as the two cities move to expand an existing scheme to make better use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The Transport Department said on Friday that all Hong Kong permanent residents and locally registered companies would be allowed to apply for 400 multiple-entry quota places under a new category for drivers of non-commercial private cars. Under the current scheme, only... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352181/more-hongkongers-can-drive-macau-under-expanded-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352181/more-hongkongers-can-drive-macau-under-expanded-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 12:58:20 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Emily Hung Matthew Cheng,Emily Hung Hong Kong will introduce a two-month subsidy for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used by taxis, minibuses and school buses starting in May amid soaring fuel prices, while previously announced support on diesel costs for other transport operators begins on Thursday. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Wednesday that the interdepartmental task force monitoring fuel price movements had proposed a 50 HK cents per litre subsidy for two months, starting in May, to alleviate operational pressure... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351819/hong-kong-launch-liquefied-petroleum-gas-subsidy-support-transport-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351819/hong-kong-launch-liquefied-petroleum-gas-subsidy-support-transport-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:11:54 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong’s railway operator has deployed augmented reality (AR) technology to speed up construction of a station on a new link serving the Northern Metropolis megaproject to ensure it opens on time next year. The MTR Corporation said on Tuesday that the power supply had been connected at Kwu Tung station and AR technology had been adopted to hasten progress. “Applying the AR inspection system will allow us to simulate future scenarios and help workers carry out the assembly work accurately and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351747/mtr-corporation-using-ar-technology-fast-track-work-northern-link-station?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351747/mtr-corporation-using-ar-technology-fast-track-work-northern-link-station?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:10:39 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong plans to table a bill by year-end to standardise regulation of future mass transit projects, including Kai Tak and East Kowloon, the transport chief has said, as lawmakers raise concerns over fares and long-term service quality. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told lawmakers on Monday that the government was pursuing policy innovation by adopting open tenders for future projects, with the aim of enhancing service quality and identifying the most effective operators for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351598/hong-kong-proposes-bill-unified-regulation-new-mass-transit-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351598/hong-kong-proposes-bill-unified-regulation-new-mass-transit-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:28:59 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft The eastern section of Hong Kong’s new Fanling Bypass will be commissioned on May 3, marking the first major transport infrastructure project to be completed under the Northern Metropolis mega development. The new bypass promises to cut travel times by 10 minutes and will serve as a vital roadway for the Fanling North New Development Area. The South China Morning Post unpacks what the new bypass is and its significance. 1. What is the new bypass? The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) is a new 4km... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351476/first-section-fanling-bypass-open-soon-so-how-will-hongkongers-benefit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351476/first-section-fanling-bypass-open-soon-so-how-will-hongkongers-benefit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 09:34:48 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 5,000 Guangdong motorists have been approved to drive into Hong Kong’s urban areas under a southbound travel scheme as of March, while 90 per cent of the 3,500 travellers who booked to visit have stayed for one or two days. The Transport Department said on Sunday that the urban access portion of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles arrangement was operating smoothly and had become increasingly popular since its launch near the end of 2025. The scheme currently grants access to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:01:09 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has unveiled its first wheelset maintenance centre, set to open in the coming months, cutting the time for the labour-intensive process from more than three days to 10 hours. The rail giant said on Thursday that the new HK$300 million (US$38.3 million) Integrated Wheelset Maintenance Centre, located at the Ho Man Tin siding, would be capable of processing 1,500 wheelsets annually through automation. The capacity is designed to meet growing service demands on the Tuen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351103/mtr-corp-unveils-hk300-million-wheelset-centre-boosting-efficiency-80?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351103/mtr-corp-unveils-hk300-million-wheelset-centre-boosting-efficiency-80?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:07:43 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong police are investigating two separate traffic accidents on Tuesday that led to the deaths of two women. In the first case, police were alerted at about 8.51am to a light goods vehicle driven by a 36-year-old man travelling along Cha Kwo Ling Road towards Yau Tong. The vehicle was approaching Yau Tong MTR station when it reportedly knocked down a woman crossing the road. The 30-year-old woman from mainland China sustained serious injuries to her head and limbs. She was rushed to United... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350863/2-women-killed-separate-traffic-accidents-involving-goods-vehicle-and-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350863/2-women-killed-separate-traffic-accidents-involving-goods-vehicle-and-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:39:23 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Some passengers have been unable to use any e-payment options in Hong Kong taxis, with drivers blaming faulty machines or battery problems, but customers view these as excuses because the “cash is king” mentality persists. Experts said many taxi drivers still held a deep-seated fear of having a traceable income record, which could lead to taxation or the loss of eligibility for public housing. Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung told the South China Morning Post that many passengers had complained to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350532/faulty-devices-low-battery-some-taxi-drivers-cook-excuses-avoid-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350532/faulty-devices-low-battery-some-taxi-drivers-cook-excuses-avoid-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung The revamp of Hong Kong’s HK$2 (26 US cents) transport fare concession scheme for the elderly and disabled carried a HK$90 million price tag, with the government paying two-thirds, a Legislative Council Finance Committee paper revealed on Wednesday. It also showed that about 220 beneficiaries averaged more than 240 trips a month – equivalent to over eight daily – with one taking as many as 20 a day in the first year of real-name registration. The government adjusted the scheme on April 3,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350367/hong-kong-government-forks-out-two-thirds-hk90-million-tab-hk2-fare-revamp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350367/hong-kong-government-forks-out-two-thirds-hk90-million-tab-hk2-fare-revamp?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:59:59 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Greater Bay Airlines has suspended most of its flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok for more than four months amid surging fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. The airline’s website showed that as of 8pm on Thursday no flights were available between Hong Kong and Bangkok for most of the dates between May 12 and September 22. The carrier said it had adjusted its services due to rising fuel prices and apologised to affected travellers. “Due to the continued rise in fuel prices... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350268/greater-bay-airlines-suspends-bangkok-flights-over-4-months-amid-fuel-price-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350268/greater-bay-airlines-suspends-bangkok-flights-over-4-months-amid-fuel-price-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:08:11 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Passenger flight cuts triggered by surging fuel prices could temporarily affect Hong Kong’s status as a regional transit hub, aviation experts say, with the impact depending on how long the Middle East conflict lasts. Steven Cheung King-lung, chairman of the Hong Kong Professional Airline Pilots Association, said on Monday that the city faced fierce competition not only from Singapore, but also from the wider Greater Bay Area, Japan and South Korea. “While Hong Kong is no more susceptible [to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349860/impact-middle-east-war-hong-kongs-aviation-hub-status-relative-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349860/impact-middle-east-war-hong-kongs-aviation-hub-status-relative-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:22:00 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen A Hong Kong bus driver died on Saturday night after collapsing while steering his vehicle, causing it to mount a pavement. Police said on Sunday that the 42-year-old man collapsed while driving his empty vehicle along Chung Yan Road in the direction of Tung Chung Road at 10.55pm the previous day. After he collapsed, the bus mounted the pavement. Public transport firm Citybus confirmed the driver was an employee and said no one else was injured. The force said the driver was unconscious and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349783/citybus-driver-dies-after-collapse-losing-control-vehicle-hong-kong-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349783/citybus-driver-dies-after-collapse-losing-control-vehicle-hong-kong-road?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:27:34 +0000 Wynna Wong,Fiona Sun Wynna Wong,Fiona Sun Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will cancel a small proportion of passenger flights between mid-May and the end of June, as surging jet fuel prices driven by the war in the Middle East continue to weigh on airlines globally. The airline said on Saturday that about 2 per cent of its total flight frequencies would be cut between May 16 and June 30, mainly on regional routes, as well as a small number of services to Australia, South Asia and South Africa. Cathay Pacific’s budget arm,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349743/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-and-hk-express-cut-some-flights-jet-fuel-prices-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349743/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-and-hk-express-cut-some-flights-jet-fuel-prices-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:10:45 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying The developer of Hong Kong’s Discovery Bay is pushing ahead with a plan for unrestricted taxi access and four new ranks in the resort-style seaside community on Lantau Island, despite a backlash from residents. In a paper submitted to Islands District Council, Hong Kong Resort Company said the lack of point-to-point public transport “severely impacts residents’ daily lives” and that it had received hundreds of messages of support for the proposal. The company said existing restrictions limiting... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349724/discovery-bay-developer-submits-proposal-full-taxi-access-despite-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349724/discovery-bay-developer-submits-proposal-full-taxi-access-despite-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:20:38 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong taxi passengers will still have to pay full tunnel tolls despite government relief measures that cut the fee for commercial vehicles by half, transport authorities have said. The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Friday that the relief measure, contained in a package to support the transport sector as oil prices rise, was aimed at helping commercial vehicle drivers and operators. For two months, the government will reduce tunnel tolls by 50 per cent for all commercial vehicles,... https://www.scmp.com/weather/article/3349698/taxi-passengers-wont-benefit-hong-kongs-50-reduction-tunnel-tolls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/article/3349698/taxi-passengers-wont-benefit-hong-kongs-50-reduction-tunnel-tolls?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:40:37 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun A minibus driver has been killed and 16 others have been injured in two separate crashes involving eight vehicles within two hours on Hong Kong’s San Tin Highway. Police said on Thursday that an accident involving two cars and a taxi occurred on the side of the highway headed to Sheung Shui at 9.51pm the previous day. Eight people suffered minor injuries and were sent to North District Hospital in Sheung Shui. In another accident on the same highway, a 49-year-old public light bus driver was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349507/bus-driver-killed-16-injured-2-separate-crashes-hong-kong-highway?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349507/bus-driver-killed-16-injured-2-separate-crashes-hong-kong-highway?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:42:05 +0000 Oscar Liu,Lam Ka-sing Oscar Liu,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong lawmakers have warned that a local bus operator’s failed bid to reduce services is only the “tip of the iceberg”, as rising fuel costs drive wider reductions across the sector, urging the government to act swiftly to tackle soaring oil prices. Legislators on Tuesday also urged authorities to approve applications by non-franchised bus companies to increase fares, and to provide subsidies to cushion the effects of higher fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. Their calls came... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349251/lawmakers-call-fuel-subsidies-citing-loss-making-bus-service-amid-oil-price-spike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349251/lawmakers-call-fuel-subsidies-citing-loss-making-bus-service-amid-oil-price-spike?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:27:49 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung A Hong Kong bus operator serving commuters in Tuen Mun has scrapped plans to reduce services amid soaring oil prices after transport authorities warned that it needed to apply for any changes at least 14 days in advance. ABC Touring Car Company, which runs non-franchised bus services linking Tuen Mun and urban areas, announced on Sunday it would reduce its operations with immediate effect as a first step to cut costs. But the company, which had also warned of ceasing operations, changed course... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349168/tuen-mun-bus-operator-cuts-services-amid-soaring-fuel-prices-warns-closure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349168/tuen-mun-bus-operator-cuts-services-amid-soaring-fuel-prices-warns-closure?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:06:55 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse The HK$2 (US$0.26) transport fare scheme for the elderly is one of Hong Kong’s most socially significant success stories. But some of the recent changes, and further ones contemplated, seem to be rowing in a different direction. We need to pause and take stock before we inadvertently undo some of our good work. In the process, we should also take the chance to ensure the long-term affordability of the scheme. The subsidy scheme was introduced in 2012 after an announcement in the 2011 policy... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348958/hong-kong-must-not-undo-good-work-its-hk2-transport-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348958/hong-kong-must-not-undo-good-work-its-hk2-transport-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:30:09 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s elderly residents have raised concerns about the financial burden placed on their low-income peers under a revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport fare scheme that came into force on Friday, with some avoiding higher-charging, long-route buses. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the implementation of the new arrangements had gone smoothly on the first day. He also stressed that the government was still subsidising a large part of the fares and the saved funds would... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348933/revamped-transport-fare-scheme-triggers-concerns-about-cost-working-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348933/revamped-transport-fare-scheme-triggers-concerns-about-cost-working-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:53:25 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 40,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers have adopted major electronic payment platforms AlipayHK and WeChat Pay HK, easing a protracted pain point for mainland Chinese visitors who are expected to arrive in droves during the coming Ching Ming Festival break. AlipayHK, a subsidiary of Ant International, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the South China Morning Post, said on Thursday that its e-payment system was available to 47,000 taxi drivers. WeChat Pay HK said more than 40,000... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348828/40000-taxi-drivers-sign-e-payment-systems-new-rules-come-force?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348828/40000-taxi-drivers-sign-e-payment-systems-new-rules-come-force?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:12:07 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Some Hong Kong taxi drivers have yet to install e-payment options even after the city’s mandatory electronic payment choices for taxis came into effect, highlighting a digital divide challenge facing cabbies, the South China Morning Post has observed. Under the Transport Department rule that came into effect on Wednesday, all drivers must offer passengers at least a QR code option and an alternative e-payment method. The initiative aimed to elevate the quality of taxi services by leveraging... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348627/some-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-unprepared-new-e-payments-rule-takes-effect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348627/some-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-unprepared-new-e-payments-rule-takes-effect?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:47:21 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong’s key decision-making body has approved plans for an elevated smart mass transit railway system in Kai Tak that will connect the cruise terminal and other major facilities in the area to the local MTR station. The Executive Council’s endorsement followed meetings between authorities and project critics and consultations with the public and the Legislative Council to address their concerns. The proposal was gazetted in July last year. “The public is generally supportive of the Smart and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348507/hong-kongs-exco-approves-plans-elevated-mass-transit-system-kai-tak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348507/hong-kongs-exco-approves-plans-elevated-mass-transit-system-kai-tak?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:17:24 +0000