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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's URBTIX system is being upgraded to provide an enlarged capacity and various new functions. The new system will be launched in phases from March 5 to mid-2014.
From March 5 onwards, the new ticketing system will be able to accommodate a greater number of concurrent users for Internet booking and allow non-member purchases, customers will not need to register as members before purchasing tickets. A new Internet booking service will also include acceptance of payment by China UnionPay cards issued by banks on the Mainland.
In the second phase, Internet booking functions will be further enhanced, including the launching of a mobile ticketing app. If customers who buy tickets through Internet and telephone booking also provide their email addresses, the new ticketing system will send emails to remind them to attend performances. Also, upon registration as members, customers will be able to enjoy more personalised services.
The system upgrade is planned for completion by mid-2014. During the transitional period before the new ticketing system completely replaces the old system, the new and old systems will be running in parallel. Customers will be able to search and browse all events' information on the website no matter whether the events are sold through the new or the old system. Customers will be guided to complete transactions in the respective system through which the event tickets are sold. Clear instructions will direct customers to the appropriate website to buy tickets.
The URBTIX ticketing service contractor will levy charges for providing the various ticketing services. During the transitional period, the handling charge for Internet and telephone bookings purchased under the old system will remain at $7 per ticket, with a handling charge per transaction set at a maximum of $23. For tickets purchased through Internet and telephone bookings in the new system, the handling charge will be $8 per ticket, with no handling charge limit set per transaction.
In addition, a new courier delivery service will be provided starting at $45 per order. Delivery by regular overseas mail and local/overseas registered mail will be charged at $5 per order and $28 per order respectively. For details of the various charges under the new and old systems, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
As with the old system, customers do not need to pay any handling charges for tickets bought at the counters of any URBTIX outlets. With the launch of the new URBTIX system, the existing telephone enquiries hotline 2734 9009 will be changed to 3761 6661 (10am to 8pm daily) with effect from March 5.
Ends/Monday, March 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:50
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