'Police Get Court Warrant For KMB Octopus Data'

Sources say the police have obtained a court warrant, demanding that Kowloon Motor Bus release records of its Octopus card transactions over the past several months.

Sources told RTHK that the bus company will be required to submit Octopus transaction records for specific routes on specific days at specific times. KMB will also have to release CCTV footage captured on board to the police.

It’s believed the police move is intended to identify protesters who had taken part in anti-government rallies since June.

But many demonstrators, in fear of being tracked down, had resorted to paying cash when they take public transport.

Earlier this month, police had stopped a KMB bus, ordered journalists off the vehicle and conducted a search for protesters.

Police searched passengers' belongings and checked their identification for two hours before arresting a number of people.