As part of its ongoing “Flora Fête with Sanrio characters” installation-display campaign aiming to boost the northern district’s community economy, the government yesterday launched a Hello Kitty-themed bus service, comprising six stops across the peninsula’s northern district, where members of the public can take a free ride after making an appointment.
Organised by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) in conjunction with the Macau Northern District Industrial and Commercial Association, various Sanrio characters are being displayed in two groups in the form of large-scale arts installations, in Iao Hon Market Park and in Praça dos Lótus in Ilha Verde district respectively, until October 13, with different activities such as booth games, dance performances by Sanrio characters, and flash mobs.
Sanrio is a Japanese company known for creating a wide range of characters, the most famous of which is Hello Kitty.
The ongoing display of the Sanrio installations in the two venues started in late March.
Launched yesterday, the Hello Kitty-themed bus service, which was announced by the bureau in a statement on Saturday, will also run until October 13.
According to the dedicated website (https://www.mocommunityevent.com) of the bureau’s ongoing “Flora Fête with Sanrio characters” installation-display campaign, the Hello Kitty-themed bus service runs five trips every day, departing from Estrada do Canal dos Patos just outside the Qingmao pedestrian checkpoint in Ilha Verde district, with five other stops in the northern district throughout a trip.
The bus service is only suspended when a No. 8 typhoon signal or above is hoisted, the website says.
According to the website, the bus departs at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
After departing from outside the Qingmao pedestrian checkpoint, the bus stops at Rua da Hortense near the Barrier Gate checkpoint, the Oriental Pearl neighbourhood in Areia Preta district, Iao Hon Market Park, the snapshot-spot wall outside the former greyhound racetrack (Yat Yuen Canidrome), and outside the Waterfront Duet residential estate in Fai Chi Kei.
In addition to Qingmao checkpoint, passengers can only board the bus at Rua da Hortense. The other stops are only for alighting. According to the website, the bus is fully booked for the next 14 days.
A couple gets onto the Hello Kitty-themed bus on Estrada do Canal dos Patos outside the Qingmao checkpoint in Ilha Verde district at 1 p.m. yesterday. – Photos: Tony Wong
Three girls sit on the “Flora Fête with Sanrio characters” installation in Praça dos Lótus in Ilha Verde district yesterday. The square is surrounded by Bairro da Ilha Verde Building and Cheng I Building, both subsidised home-ownership scheme (HOS) estates.
