The Housing Authority revealed on Monday that it had abstained from voting on lift replacement projects at two public housing estates where missing fire-resistant door frames were later discovered. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) launched citywide inspections of lifts installed by Taizoom Elevator last week after smoke-seal components were found to be missing from 48 lifts that the contractor had put in place at the two estates. Responding to enquiries from RTHK, the Housing Authority said owners' meetings were held in January 2024 at Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin and in March last year at Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong to vote on lift replacements. Its representatives attended both meetings but chose to abstain, the authority said. When it came to a lift-replacement project at Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po, however, the authority acknowledged that it voted last month in favour of appointing Taizoom for the job. The authority stressed that it weighed several factors before making its decision, including the contractor's past experience, performance and compliance records, tender pricing, and previous ratings from the EMSD. That said, in light of recent issues involving Taizoom, the authority has now advised the incorporated owners' committee of Fu Heng Estate to suspend the contract award. Edited by Edmond Fong

Buana Megatama Jaya, Mananjung Hayak and Baratama Putra Perkasa have been issued notices

Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse urged the sector on Monday to monitor passenger and vehicle flows in real time at Huanggang port and to remain alert and deploy resources in a flexible manner to meet the needs of travellers. The call came as the crossing was set to face peak crowds with people returning home following the long Chung Yeung Festival weekend. In a social media post, the Transport Department said it was undertaking multiple measures with operators to keep traffic around the crossing running smoothly. It said about 120 franchised buses, 40 scheduled‑route minibuses and 130 cross‑boundary coaches would be deployed to provide services as well as be on standby in case of heavy passengers flows. During busy periods, franchised bus frequencies can be increased to every two to three minutes while scheduled minibuses and cross‑boundary coaches may run every three to four minutes and franchised operators will also run extra short‑haul trips to ease overcrowding. The department also noted that operators had installed clear signages and facilities to help people queue in an orderly manner as well as deployed service ambassadors and operational staff at key locations to assist travellers. The Immigration Department recorded more than 1.32 million crossings – more than 690,000 departures and nearly 630,000 arrivals – through all checkpoints on Sunday, with departures by Hong Kong residents exceeding 530,000. Of the inbound arrivals, mainland visitors numbered over 98,000. Huanggang port recorded about 152,000 arrivals and departures – the highest since the crossing opened — with Hong Kong residents accounting for more than 66,000. The busiest crossing remained Lo Wu with nearly 260,000, followed by Lok Ma Chau Spur Line with more than 200,000. Edited by Edmond Fong

Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse urged the sector on Monday to monitor passenger and vehicle flows in real time at Huanggang port and to remain alert and deploy resources in a flexible manner to meet the needs of travellers. The call came as the crossing was set to face peak crowds with people returning home following the long Chung Yeung Festival weekend. In a social media post, the Transport Department said it was undertaking multiple measures with operators to keep traffic around the crossing running smoothly. It said about 120 franchised buses, 40 scheduled‑route minibuses and 130 cross‑boundary coaches would be deployed to provide services as well as be on standby in case of heavy passengers flows. During busy periods, franchised bus frequencies can be increased to every two to three minutes while scheduled minibuses and cross‑boundary coaches may run every three to four minutes and franchised operators will also run extra short‑haul trips to ease overcrowding. The department also noted that operators had installed clear signages and facilities to help people queue in an orderly manner as well as deployed service ambassadors and operational staff at key locations to assist travellers. The Immigration Department recorded more than 1.32 million crossings – more than 690,000 departures and nearly 630,000 arrivals – through all checkpoints on Sunday, with departures by Hong Kong residents exceeding 530,000. Of the inbound arrivals, mainland visitors numbered over 98,000. Huanggang port recorded about 152,000 arrivals and departures – the highest since the crossing opened — with Hong Kong residents accounting for more than 66,000. The busiest crossing remained Lo Wu with nearly 260,000, followed by Lok Ma Chau Spur Line with more than 200,000. Edited by Edmond Fong