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The Transport Department (TD) today (August 16) launched the "Hong Kong eTransport" smartphone application (app) and mobile website services. The public can now enjoy one-stop, point-to-point public transport enquiry services anytime, anywhere for free.
The Assistant Commissioner for Transport (Technical Services), Mr Leung Tak-fai, noted in the briefing session that the Public Transport Enquiry Service (PTES) had recorded more than 1.3 million users since its launch in April 2009.
"Using mobile phones for internet access has become very popular in recent years. To help travellers search for suitable public transport routes while on the move anytime, anywhere, the TD and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) have developed the PTES smartphone app and mobile website," Mr Leung said.
The PTES has been renamed "Hong Kong eTransport" to signify the convenience of using this service to plan your journey anytime, anywhere, making "Traffic Information at Finger Tips, Useful for Deciding Your Trips" possible.
"Hong Kong eTransport" enables the traveller to search for possible public transport routes based on individual preference, such as number of transfers, fare, estimated journey time and transport modes, with search results displayed in table form and on a map. Users may set their current location and destination by making use of the smartphone's global positioning system (GPS) function so as to facilitate route and information searching. They may also enquire the service details of different modes of public transport.
The "Hong Kong eTransport" app as first launched can run on iPhone. It is a free app which can be downloaded from iPhone App Store by entering "HKeTransport" in the search bar.
The mobile website is suitable for use on mobile phones with an internet access function. Users can input m.hketransport.gov.hk in the browser of their mobile phones to get access to the "Hong Kong eTransport" mobile website.
The new website address of the desktop version of "Hong Kong eTransport" is hketransport.gov.hk.
The TD also launched the mobile website of another online service today, the "Driving Route Search Service (DRSS)". Drivers can now search for a driving route suitable for their use via mobile phones with an internet access function. Since the launch of DRSS in April 2010, the TD has been enhancing the service with reference to the valuable feedback from the public. The latest version of DRSS provides more useful road information and enhanced search power. With this new mobile website, users can enjoy the service anywhere by using mobile phones with an internet access function.
To access this convenient service of the enhanced DRSS, users may go to drss.td.gov.hk (desktop website) or m.drss.td.gov.hk (mobile website).
For enquiry or comments on the two services, please call 1823 Call Centre or email to TD direct (tdenq@td.gov.hk).
The Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (E-government Service Delivery) of the OGCIO, Mr Kenneth Cheng, also mentioned that the OGCIO is assisting departments to roll out mobile e-government services in view of the growing popularity of mobile devices. Apart from the "Hong Kong eTransport", the OGCIO will progressively launch more mobile applications to facilitate people to use government services.
Ends/Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:08
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