Reopening of MTR University Station and public transport arrangements at Ma Liu Shui Public Transport Interchange

     â€‹University Station of the East Rail Line will be reopened and train services will resume stopping at University Station from its first departure tomorrow (December 21). The Transport Department (TD) reminded members of the public to pay attention to the following public transport arrangements.

     The following franchised bus and green minibus (GMB) services originally terminating at Ma Liu Shui Public Transport Interchange will return to normal from the first departures tomorrow:
 

Route Destination
KMB route 87K (including peak-only service 87S) Kam Ying Court
KMB route 272A Pak Shek Kok
KMB route 272K Hong Kong Science Park
KMB route 289K Chevalier Garden
GMB route 807A Ma On Shan Central (Bayshore Towers)
GMB route 807C Ma On Shan Station (Bayshore Towers)
GMB route 807S
(peak-only service)
Tseng Tau
GMB route 807X Wu Kai Sha Station (Circular)

     GMB route 807K (University Station – Tseng Tau) will resume terminating at Tseng Tau.

     The following existing temporary franchised bus routes 82D and 274S will cease operation and the following strengthened franchised bus route 274P will resume normal operation upon the reopening of University Station:
 

Route Destination
KMB route 82D
(peak-only service)
Tai Wai Station – Pak Shek Kok (via Hong Kong Science Park)
KMB route 274S Wu Kai Sha Station – Tai Po Market Station (via Pak Shek Kok and Hong Kong Science Park)
KMB route 274P Wu Kai Sha Station – Tai Po Industrial Estate (via Pak Shek Kok and Hong Kong Science Park)

 
     The TD anticipates that traffic in the vicinity of University Station will be relatively busy. Members of the public are advised to use public transport services as far as possible and early planning of journeys is advised to cater for unexpected delays.

     The TD will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to watch out for the latest traffic news on radio and television.

     Details of the public transport arrangements have been uploaded to the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).




LegCo Public Accounts Committee to hold public hearing tomorrow

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on "Planning, provision and management of public toilets by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department" (Chapter 1) of the Director of Audit's Report No.73 at 9am tomorrow (December 21) in Conference Room 3 of the LegCo Complex.
 
     Seven witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.
 
     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:

Date: December 21 (Saturday)
Time: 9am
Venue: Conference Room 3

Subject: Planning, provision and management of public toilets by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
(Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit's Report No.73)

Witnesses:
Secretary for Food and Health
Professor Sophia Chan

Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Miss Vivian Lau

Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (Environmental Hygiene)
Miss Diane Wong

Assistant Director (Operations) 3, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Mr Fork Ping-lam

Director of Architectural Services
Mrs Sylvia Lam

Senior Property Services Manager/TS3, Architectural Services Department
Mr Fung Kar-chun

Project Manager 365, Architectural Services Department
Mr Lee Cheuk-hang

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan.




Effective Exchange Rate Index

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 20, 2019 is 106.3 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).




AFCD launches enhanced “Enjoy Hiking” website

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has launched its enhanced "Enjoy Hiking" website (https://www.hiking.gov.hk) which provides hiking information and highlights scenic attractions through a variety of new features.
 
     With a new and more convenient interface for viewing, the new website showcases the information, photos and videos of a wide range of scenic trails (including 13 family walks, 15 nature trails, 32 country trails, six geo-trails, 16 tree walks and four long trails) and has strengthened transport information. Recommended routes and themed attractions of each season will also be updated from time to time, so hikers can appreciate the best possible scenery of the season.
 
     Moreover, the new website is enhanced by a series of personalised search tools. Members of the public can select a suitable route according to their own interest, physical strength and hiking experience so they can plan a safe and enjoyable hike more effectively.
 
     The AFCD will continue to provide information on hiking to the public through different channels. Members of the public are encouraged to prepare before hiking by bringing their own water bottles and towels to avoid using one-off disposables and to take away their litter to help maintain the naturalness of the country parks.




Exchange Fund Bills tender results

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

Tender date : December 20, 2019
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : M1906
Issue date : December 23, 2019
Maturity date : January 29, 2020
Amount applied : HK$4,600 MN
Amount allotted : HK$1,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 2.07 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 2.08 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 100 PCT
Average tender yield : 2.37 PCT