For Immediate Release
As part of celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the HKSAR, and to celebrate the 156th anniversary of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC), the Chamber will hold its HKGCC Free Ride Day on 29 November. The event will allow everyone in Hong Kong to ride the trams and two Star Ferry routes free of charge for the entire day, benefitting more than 300,000 passengers – and more importantly, showcase the business sector’s contributions to building a prosperous Hong Kong over the years.
Based on the theme Building a Prosperous Hong Kong with All Members of Society, the annual Free Ride Day (FRD) was conceived in 2011 to mark HKGCC’s 150th Anniversary, and was so well received by the public that the Chamber decided to make it an annual celebration with the support of members. Over the years, more than a million of people have benefitted from FRD.
“FRD demonstrates companies’ commitment to engage with and give back to the community,” said HKGCC Chairman Stephen Ng. “For this year’s Free Ride Day, it further taps into the Chamber’s caring membership base to pool together financial resources to cover the fares of the public for the whole day. Members, from big blue-chip companies to small start-ups and even individuals, are supporting Free Ride Day.”
Ten trams carrying advertisements will run on the island until 7 December. Everyone is warmly invited to take these well-loved forms of transportation on the day for free.
Chamber CEO Shirley Yuen encouraged everyone to participate in Free Ride Day and also HKGCC’s post on Facebook to get the chance to win hotel and buffet vouchers. “This year we have had members putting their hand into their own pockets to sponsor the event, so we are very grateful to them for their contributions, both large and small,” she said. “We are also collaborating with Ctrip to offer free hotel stays and buffet vouchers. People just need to like our Facebook page and leave a comment sharing their most memorable experience on a tram or Star Ferry journey. We will select the eight most intriguing stories to be our winners.”Yuen also expressed her gratitude to over a hundred members who sponsored the event, and also to media partners HKC Enterprises, WeMedia01 (HK) Limited, Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited, and the Sing Tao Group, including Sing Tao Daily, Headline Daily and The Standard, for their assistance in publicizing the event and encouraging the public to take advantage of Free Ride Day.
Ng said: “The Chamber will continue to work together with our members and the public to develop Hong Kong into a prosperous metropolis and help the city to reach new heights in the years ahead.”
On 29 November, everyone in Hong Kong will be able to ride for free on any tram running between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, and also on the Star Ferry sailing between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wanchai/Central.
Photo caption:
HKGCC Chairman Stephen Ng and CEO Shirley Yuen, together with representatives of member companies sponsoring this year’s Free Ride Day, pose for a group photo at a press conference on 20 November to announce the campaign, which will allow everyone in Hong Kong to ride on trams and two Star Ferry routes for the entire day on 29 November for free.
Media inquiries: Please contact Ms Lafee Lo at 2823 1250 or email: [email protected]