Everyday Life

Taxis

Hong Kong taxis are many things, but scarce is not one of them. It is most unusual to wait more than a couple minutes for a taxi to pass by and pick you up, no matter where you are. The exceptions to this ready access are during heavy rains, typhoons and very late at night.

Cabs are colour-coded depending on where they operate. On Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon they are red, on Lantau they are blue and in the New Territories they are green. The flagfall rate is HK$18.00 for the first two kilometres and HK $1.50 for every 200 meters afterwards. You must also pay all tunnel fees and $5.00 per each piece of luggage put in the trunk or oversized baggage in the taxi. Animals, caged or not, also cost $5.00. Tipping is not necessary, but most cabbies will round the fare up to the nearest dollar.

Flagging a cab is easy: just put your hand out into the roadway and flap up and down a little at waist height. If you find that cabs will not stop, look down. If there is a yellow line running along the curb you are standing in a no-stopping zone. Move to an area with no line and try again. Otherwise, look for a cardboard "out of service" sign in the cab front window. To signal your desire to go to Kowloon from HK or vice versa make a dipping motion with your hand to indicate going under the harbour.

Some places in Hong Kong usually outside major shopping centres and at tourist attractions have organised taxi queues. Some are more organised than others, however, and occasionally you may have to use your wits and elbows to get into a cab.

Language is usually not a problem as most Hong Kong cabbies are familiar with the city and environs. If you do have a communication problem the driver will usually get you to talk with the radio dispatcher to sort things out.

The MTR

The MTR or Mass Transit railway is a safe, clean, air-conditioned and efficient means of getting around on HK Island and Kowloon. It connects with the rail systems serving Lantau Island (Airport Express) and the New Territories at Central Station and at Kowloon Tong station respectively. The merged rail network comprises nine railway lines serving Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. In addition, a Light Rail network serves the local communities of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the New Territories while a fleet of buses provide convenient feeder services.

Tickets for the MTR are relatively inexpensive with concessions for children and seniors. With a $50.00 deposit you can buy a refillable Octopus card which is read electronically by the turnstiles as you enter and exit the MTR. Cards can be replenished at automatic machines in most station lobbies using either cash or your bank debit card. You can also buy single journey tickets.

Buses

In some ways buses are Hong Kong's lifeblood. They rule the roads, that much is certain. From the giant, lumbering double-deckers to the green-topped and red-topped mini buses, there is a bus for every possible destination.

There are three main bus companies operating throughout the territory. The Kowloon Motor Bus company (KMB) serves Kowloon and the New Territories. New World First Bus has routes on Hong Kong only. Citybus has routes in Hong Kong, The New Territories and Kowloon. Most of these buses accept the Octopus card or exact change payment when you board. They stop only at designated zones.

The green mini-buses are privately operated, and carry 16-24 passengers on fixed routes. You may request stops anywhere on the route and can flag down a bus to board. Fares are posted and are paid as you board. Drivers sometimes make change. Routes are listed in the government publication, Hong Kong - A Guide to Public Services, available from the government publications centre in Central. Red mini-buses travel on varying routes to a specific destination. The fares are posted and you may get on or off where you wish. Pay your fare as you exit.

Trams

Hong Kong's two tram routes are both institutions. The Peak tram, while no longer used for transportation, was originally constructed before there was road access. It runs from the St. John's Building on Garden Road in Central to the Peak Tower. Now it used almost exclusively by tourists who take the ride for the novelty and the unique views it affords of Hong Kong. However, monthly commuter passes are still available for those who wish to make use of the tram. (Peak Tram phone: 2522 0922).

Hong Kong's other tramway is also an antique - the line opened in 1904 - but this one runs along what used to be the island's northern shoreline. Its double- decker, un-airconditioned cars are rickety and often crowded, but at $2.00, the flat fare for an adult makes it unbeatable in terms of price. Board the tram at the rear door, and exit from the front, paying your fare in exact change as you leave.

There are several different turn-around points on the tram's route, but the main line extends from Shau Kei Wan in the east to Kennedy Town in the west, with a branch line which loops around the Happy Valley race track. The trams runs from 6:00am until 12:00 midnight seven days a week. There is also a 'party tram' available for rent.

Ferries

Although Hong Kong is linked to the mainland by several tunnels, the territory's many outlying islands have only water access. Thus the many ferries which ply Hong Kong's waters are extremely important, and make it possible for the outer islands to sustain significant populations. And, although there are quicker ways across the harbour, Hong Kong's Star Ferry continues to be popular and convenient.

There are Star Ferries linking various spots on both sides of the harbour. Central to Tsim Sha Tsui is the busiest route, but you can also go from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui or Hung Hom. The ride takes about seven minutes and is very inexpensive. There are other cross harbour ferries which travel between North Point ferry pier and Kowloon City, and Hung Hom. Star ferries run from 6:30am to 11:30pm.

The outlying islands ferry pier is just to the west of the Star Ferry pier, behind the Exchange Square towers. Hong Kong & Yaumatei Ferry Company (2525-1108) operates triple-decker ferry services from Central to the outlying islands of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, and Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay) on Lantau from Piers Six and Seven. Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Company (2815-6063) has services to Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan and Lamma which leave from Pier Five. Shun Tak Ferries (2859-3333) run services from Pier Four to Tuen Mun, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O. Discovery Bay ferries run from Pier Three in Central at present.

Private Autos

While owning a car in Hong Kong is not essential, given the city's compact size and excellent transit, there are often good reasons to do so. Many people with cars opt to hire a professional driver who has to deal with the annoyances to traffic and finding a place to park. Also, since traffic moves on the left, driving in Hong Kong is an adjustment for many foreigners.

The costs of owning a car depend on the type and age of the vehicle. Registration fees are based on the taxable value of the car, while the annual license fee is based on engine size and type of fuel used. For a private car the registration fee is 40 to 60 per cent of the value. Fuel prices in Hong Kong are among the highest in the world. Parking is scarce, even in large apartment complexes, so it is a good idea to decide about car ownership before choosing a place to live. Otherwise you might find yourself with an auto and nowhere to put it.

Obtaining a Hong Kong driving license is relatively easy for expatriates with a license issued in one of a list of approved countries. For new learners, the driving age is 18. The Hong Kong driving test comes in three parts - a written exam, a practical test on a closed road and a road test.