Revamped transport fare scheme triggers concerns about cost for working elderly

A sticker advertising Hong Kong’s HK$2 transport concessionary scheme is displayed on a minibus in Causeway Bay.

Photo: Jelly Tse Hong Kong’s elderly residents have raised concerns about the financial burden placed on their low-income peers under the revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport fare scheme that came into force on Friday, with some avoiding higher-charging, long-route buses.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the implementation of the new arrangements had gone smoothly on the first day.

He also stressed that the government was still subsidising a large part of the fares and the saved funds would be reinvested into other policies, including those supporting the elderly.

Under the revised scheme, the elderly and people with disabilities holding an Octopus JoyYou Card will pay 20 per cent of fares for trips costing more than HK$10, instead of the HK$2 flat rate.

The revamp is aimed at discouraging such commuters from taking pricier long-haul routes for short journeys, and is expected to save the government HK$550 million a year.

Public transport operators on Friday morning deployed staff in green vests to respond to inquiries at MTR stations and public transport interchanges, with some distributing leaflets.

A resident surnamed Ho, who is in his sixties, said the scheme had little impact on him as he worked and mainly travelled across Hong Kong Island.

But Ho, who works as a cleaner, said the move could place a burden on working elderly people who needed to travel long distances. “The economy is not good, and everything is getting pricier … They have to work even though they have to pay more,” he said.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun has said the implementation of the new arrangements has gone smoothly on the first day.

Photo: Dickson Lee Edmond Kwok, who is in his seventies, agreed that the revised scheme would hit elderly workers hard, adding that he would also be more careful about which buses he boarded. “Previously, when I was in a rush, I would still board buses with higher fares.

However, I will not do that now,” he said. “I will be on my toes when I look at the bus route numbers.

Sometimes, I cannot see the numbers clearly because of my old age and board the wrong bus that doubles or triples the original fare.” Catherine Cheung said the scheme would have a very limited impact on her life as she rarely left Hong Kong Island and preferred walking to taking public transport.

Cheung, who is in her seven

原文链接: 南华早报