【明報專訊】In February this year, Benson, a student at The Hong Kong Institute of Education (香港教育學院, HKIEd), met Albert, who drove him to Tai Po for free. He has motivated Albert to set up a facebook group to promote "free-riding" in Hong Kong.

Because the queue for the shuttle bus was always long, Benson and his friends came up with the idea of copying the hitchhiking culture in foreign countries. "We doubted whether it could be done. Some say Hong Kong people are indifferent and conservative. It's not certain whether people would give a helping hand," Benson said.

Trials were carried out by four teams of students at various locations. They all succeeded in getting rides to school. "I've discovered that some assumptions people have made have hindered us from contributing or accepting love. It is not difficult to notice that Hong Kong people are happy to offer help if we ask for it," Benson explained.

Benson and Albert have become friends because of that. Born in the 1990s, Benson has finally experienced what older people call neighbourhood relationship. ''At first I would feel awkward if people treated me nicely without demanding any reward. However, amazing relationships can be discovered if we break the ice and take the initiative,'' he said.

(source: Ming Pao)

■Photo story

Benson (front) and his fellow HKIEd students' demand for the shuttle bus service has inspired Albert to promote hitchhiking in Hong Kong.

■ Quiz

Choose the correct answers. (answers on next text)

1. At which institution was Benson studying?

a. City University of Hong Kong

b. The Hong Kong Institute of Education

c. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2. Whom did Benson inspire?

a. Benson's brother

b. Albert

c. Albert's neighbours

3. What does "conservative" in paragraph 2 mean?

a. communicative

b. positive

c. cautious

4. What has Benson finally experienced?

a. neigbourhood relationship

b. love relationship

c. sportsmanship

■ Words

free-ride / hitchhike 搭順風車

shuttle bus 接駁巴士

break the ice 打破僵局

■ Glossary

doubt (v) 懷疑

indifferent (adj) 冷漠的

assumption (n) 假設

hinder (v) 阻礙