KMB told to probe machines that gave free bus rides as revised HK$2 scheme launched

Passengers at a bus stop at Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei.

Photo: Jelly Tse The Hong Kong government has demanded that the city’s largest franchised bus operator investigate the malfunctioning of its fare rebate machines, which provided free trips to passengers on the day a revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport subsidy scheme was implemented.

The government told the South China Morning Post on Saturday that KMB would be responsible for paying the additional rebates that it accidentally provided to eligible passengers and other residents during the system malfunction on Friday - the day the revised scheme came into effect. “The Transport Department has ordered KMB to investigate the matter immediately and verify the operation of all fare rebate machines to avoid similar future incidents.

It must also provide a comprehensive report shortly,” a spokesman said. “KMB promised that no losses would be incurred by the government, passengers under the fare concession scheme, or the public.” The spokesman stressed that KMB, as a public transport operator, should fix its system as soon as possible.

KMB’s rebate machines are used to return the fare difference for short journeys on designated long-haul routes.

Passengers are required to pay the full fare on the bus and claim a rebate at the machines at bus stops.

Some elderly passengers were reportedly offered free trips when they tapped their Octopus cards on the machines, rather than being given the appropriate rebate.

Under the revised scheme, elderly and disabled residents with an Octopus JoyYou Card will be charged 20 per cent of fares for trips costing more than HK$10, instead of the HK$2 flat rate.

An elderly passenger taps his card on the fare machine on a public bus.

Photo: Edmond So KMB said it had followed up with the contractor that had updated its system.

The contractor found problems with individual machines but KMB stressed that the fault had been fixed.

The bus operator stressed that no passengers were overcharged, nor would the government have to pay for subsidies that were erroneously offered by the bus company.

原文链接: 南华早报