Changes to Hong Kong’s public transport subsidy scheme saved the government HK$69 million (US$8.8 million) in the first month, with fewer elderly and disabled commuters taking expensive long-haul routes for short trips, the welfare minister has said.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Saturday that, following revisions to the concessionary fare scheme that took effect on April 3, the average government subsidy for trips costing more than HK$10 fell from HK$4.90 in March to HK$4.50 per journey in April.
“The reduction in government subsidies means that fewer people are taking long-distance rides than before,” Sun said.
Under the new “HK$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount” model, beneficiaries pay HK$2 for journeys with an adult fare of HK$10 or less, and 20 per cent of fares above that threshold.
The revamp is aimed at discouraging commuters from taking pricier long-haul routes for short journeys and is expected to save the government HK$550 million a year.
He cited a greater need for travel among some passengers with disabilities as well as an estimated cost of about HK$30 million for system updates and testing to introduce the cap, which would outweigh annual savings of several hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars in public funds.