Latest news with #AirportExpress
RTHK
21-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
'Very exciting' HK$165b growth period set for MTR
'Very exciting' HK$165b growth period set for MTR MTR Corporation chairman Dr Rex Auyeung says the group is going all out on new projects costing over HK$100 billion. Photo: RTHK MTR Corporation said on Wednesday the group has entered a "very exciting" growth period that will see investments amounting to more than HK$165 billion, as it also defended its fare hike on the Airport Express. Group chairman Dr Rex Auyeung said the MTRC is going all out in pushing ahead with several new projects, including extensions of the Tung Chung and Tuen Ma lines and the construction of a new station at Hung Shui Kiu. Speaking ahead of the annual general meeting, he noted that these projects involve investments amounting to more than HK$100 billion, which he said is "not a small figure". That's on top of a HK$65 billion investment commitment to maintaining and upgrading railway assets and technology deployments over a five-year period starting from 2023, he added. "We have grown from having only one line 40 years ago to now having 10 lines, during which we've experienced such growth periods that required considerable investment," Auyeung said. "But if we look back at our record, the MTR handled those periods very well. "It has always had a prudent financial strategy. "We have managed this company in a diversified manner, and we'll continue to analyse the money that will be spent in the coming years, and we'll figure out how to do our job well in terms of funds and finances." Auyeung defended the move to raise Airport Express fares by an average of 9.4 percent, saying it is the first in eight years and lower than inflation rate. He added that the fare hike, which was proposed by the group last month and is set to take effect next month, is necessary as the company plans to use about HK$2 billion to upgrade the line. He apologised for service disruptions centering around Fo Tan and Tai Wo stations on the East Rail line over the past three months. He said the firm has hired an independent expert to look into the disruptions. 'Obviously any incident is not good enough as far as I'm concerned," he said. "Our job is to continue to improve our service. "I do have confidence that we can continue to provide very good service to our Hong Kong public."
Time Out
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Your ultimate guide to Jimmy O. Yang's stand-up comedy show in Hong Kong
Hong Kong-American comedian and actor Jimmy O. Yang visited our city for a short trip back in March and got a good deal of attention for his videos on food, experiences, as well as meetings with local stars Dayo Wong and Chow Yun-fat. Fans were in his comments clamouring for a Hong Kong leg on his tour, and O. Yang has now finally confirmed his first stand-up show in our city. How much are tickets to Jimmy O. Yang's comedy show in Hong Kong? Tickets are priced at $380, $580, and $780, with sales for the general public opening at 10am on Thursday, May 15. Are there pre-sales for Jimmy O. Yang's show? The first round of sales opened on May 9 for HSBC credit card priority bookings, but if that didn't work out for you, there's another opportunity to get tickets earlier with the Klook pre-sale that starts at 12 noon on Monday, May 12. These are geared towards travellers from neighbouring countries who are coming into Hong Kong for O. Yang, with bundle discounts for the Airport Express and airport lounge access, including tickets to the show – see below: Hong Kong Airport Express HK Station One Way Ticket (Original Price HK$110) - Bundle Discounted Price HK$98 Plaza Premium Lounge Asia Pass - Three-Hour Access (Original Price HK$360) - Bundle Discounted Price HK$288 HK$380 Ticket Bundle Price - HK$668 HK$580 Ticket Bundle Price - HK$868 HK$780 Ticket Bundle Price - HK$1,068 When and where will Jimmy O. Yang perform in Hong Kong? The 37-year-old comedian is set to take the stage at the Hong Kong Coliseum on June 14, with the show starting at 8.15pm. The Hong Kong Coliseum only seats 12,500 people and we're sure the one-night-only show will be in hot demand, so mark your calendars for ticket drops. What's going to be special about Jimmy O. Yang's show in Hong Kong? Jimmy O. Yang Live In Hong Kong marks O. Yang's first-ever show in Asia – in fact, our city is the only Asian stop on his North America-centric tour as he moves on to London and Amsterdam afterwards. There's a cultural connection here for him, as O. Yang was born in Hong Kong and grew up here until the age of 13, before moving with his family to the US. Fans who follow him on social media will know that the multicultural funnyman can speak Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Mandarin Chinese, but does his professional comedy in his most fluent language, English. However, O. Yang has promised that for his homecoming Hong Kong show, he will be performing some of his bits in Cantonese, and we're looking forward to relating to his personal stories, cultural humour, and musings on the immigrant experiences, delivered in his iconic sharp wit.
Glasgow Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Grado does Ally McCoist impression at Glasgow bus launch
The new Glasgow Airport Express service, operated by First Bus, will transport travellers from the city centre to the airport in as little as 15 minutes. The fully electric service is part of a five-year contract extension for First Bus and represents an investment of more than £5 million. READ MORE: More than 10,000 illegal vapes and tobacco products seized in Glasgow The fleet consists of 11 new electric double-decker buses, creating a new Electric Avenue between the airport and the city centre. The initiative is a significant step in advancing sustainable transport options for the city and reducing carbon emissions. Grado, known for his impression of Ally McCoist recognising AC/DC over the speaker system while commentating, celebrated the launch of the new buses. He commented on the "electric atmosphere" at Glasgow Airport and praised the "electrifying runs" that will have fans of new buses celebrating. (Image: Supplied) He said: "When I heard about the idea, I just thought it was a brilliant way to let folk know about this great new addition to Glasgow's public transport network. "You're always buzzing when you're going off on your holidays and it's even better now knowing you can get to the airport in a way that's helping the environment. "It's a win-win for everyone. "Absolutely Shuperb!" The Scots star even acknowledged the music on board the Airport Express and played the electric air guitar, just as McCoist famously did. Holidaymakers jetting off from the airport during the launch on May 1 will also have the chance to win travel vouchers, Glasgow Airport Express tickets, and goody bags, handed out by Grado himself. Passengers on the new buses will also be able to take advantage of onboard charging facilities and storage racks to make journeys to and from the airport as comfortable as possible. READ MORE: Famous rapper tries Scottish snacks and drops a shocking comparison The buses are part of First Bus's ongoing commitment to enhancing the city's public transport system with greener alternatives. The new electric vehicles will ensure that travellers can enjoy cleaner, more eco-friendly journeys while contributing to the city's Net Zero target of 2030. Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director at First Bus, added: "We're thrilled to launch Glasgow's first fully electric bus route from the city centre to the airport and what better way than with one of the city's biggest characters, Grado. "The five-year contract extension to operate the Glasgow Airport Express signifies a major step in our commitment to sustainable transport and reducing our carbon footprint in Glasgow and beyond. "We are excited to offer both locals and tourists the opportunity to experience firsthand how dedicated our city is to embracing greener, eco-friendly solutions." READ MORE: Glasgow's newest food and drink hub opens space for local talent (Image: Supplied) Ruth Cousin, surface access and ancillaries director at AGS Airports, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, welcomed the new fleet. She said: "These new state-of-the-art electric vehicles will be a great upgrade to First Bus's fleet servicing Glasgow Airport. "The vehicles will play an important role in supporting our continued commitment to create more sustainable travel options for our passengers, and the buses will play a significant role in further reducing carbon emissions locally at the airport."
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Grado reprises viral Ally McCoist impression as £5m Glasgow Airport Express fully electric fleet is unveiled
First Bus will operate the Glasgow Airport Express for five more years. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish comedy legend, Grado, has brought back his iconic Ally McCoist impression to help launch Glasgow's first fully electric and zero emissions bus shuttle route between the city centre and the airport. The new fully electric Glasgow Airport Express is launching with a brand-new look and feel, offering a premium 24-hour service taking travellers from the city centre to the airport in as little as 15 minutes as part of a five-year contract extension for First Bus to run the service. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The fully electric service represents an investment of over £5m and consists of 11 brand new electric double decker buses from First Bus, creating a new 'Electric Avenue' between the airport and the city centre and marking a significant step in advancing premium sustainable transport options for the city and reducing carbon emissions. Glasgow Airport Express operated by First Bus Reprising his impression which shot to fame after McCoist recognised AC/DC over the speaker system while commentating, Grado heralded the launch of the new buses, commentating on the 'electric atmosphere' at Glasgow Airport and lauding the 'electrifying runs' that will have fans of new buses celebrating. The Scots star even gave a nod to the original clip by recognising music on board the Airport Express and playing the electric air guitar just as McCoist famously did. Holidaymakers jetting off from the airport during launch on May 1 will also have the chance to win travel vouchers, Glasgow Airport Express tickets, and goody bags, handed out by Grado himself. Passengers on the new buses will also be able to take advantage of onboard charging facilities and storage racks to make journeys to and from the airport as comfortable as possible. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The buses are part of First Bus's ongoing commitment to enhancing the city's public transport system with greener alternatives. The new electric vehicles will ensure that travellers can enjoy cleaner, more eco-friendly journeys while contributing to the city's Net Zero target of 2030. Scottish Comedy Legend Grado Sharing his excitement about the campaign, Grado commented: 'When I heard about the idea, I just thought it was a brilliant way to let folk know about this great new addition to Glasgow's public transport network. You're always buzzing when you're going off on your holidays and it's even better now knowing you can get to the airport in a way that's helping the environment. 'It's a win-win for everyone. Absolutely Shuperb!' Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director at First Bus, added: 'We're thrilled to launch Glasgow's first fully electric bus route from the city centre to the airport and what better way than with one of the city's biggest characters, Grado. The five-year contract extension to operate the Glasgow Airport Express signifies a major step in our commitment to sustainable transport and reducing our carbon footprint in Glasgow and beyond. We are excited to offer both locals and tourists the opportunity to experience firsthand how dedicated our city is to embracing greener, eco-friendly solutions.' Ruth Cousin, Surface Access and Ancillaries Director at AGS Airports, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports welcomed the new fleet. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'These new state-of-the-art electric vehicles will be a great upgrade to First Buses fleet servicing Glasgow Airport.
HKFP
25-04-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Increasing Airport Express fares could drive passengers away, lawmakers say
Increasing Hong Kong's Airport Express fares could drive passengers to choose other modes of transport instead, lawmakers have said. Speaking at a Legislative Council Panel on Transport meeting on Friday, lawmaker Dominic Lee cited figures showing that ridership of the Airport Express had only recovered to 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. 'Actually, airport statistics and figures from some airlines show that their recovery is higher than 70 per cent,' he said in Cantonese. 'Does this show that after the pandemic, there are some citizens who used to take the Airport Express but now choose other ways to get to the airport?' he said. 'If you increase the fares… would it further affect ridership?' On Tuesday, the MTR Corporation (MTRC) – which operates the Airport Express – proposed hiking the airport train's fares, citing financial challenges due to a drop in passengers since the pandemic. Currently, the adult Octopus fares for the Airport Express from Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Tsing Yi Stations to the airport are HK$110, HK$100, and HK$65 respectively. The proposals could see the fares rise to HK$120, HK$105, and HK$73. On Friday, lawmaker Lo Wai-kwok also expressed concern that the Airport Express was facing competition from other modes of transport. He said he observed that tourists and Hongkongers were using ride-hailing apps more often. 'I think this has affected the Airport Express's business,' Lo said in Cantonese. Commissioned in 1998, the Airport Express links the airport with Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Tsing Yi stations. Fares have only been raised once, in 2017, according to a Legislative Council paper written by the MTR Corporation. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is also set to increase its airport departure tax from HK$120 to HK$200. Authorities said on Wednesday that they would push ahead with the plan amid lawmakers' concerns that it could weaken the city's competitiveness. Hong Kong's status as an aviation hub took a major hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, when strict testing rules and mandatory quarantine periods in place for over three years led airlines to cut their routes to and from the city. Airport traffic figures have struggled to recover since. In 2024, the city saw 53.1 million passengers, down from 71.5 million in 2019.
