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Opinion
Hong Kong must not undo the good work of its HK$2 transport scheme
Efforts to cut growing costs of transport subsidy must not lose sight of the reasons behind scheme’s success
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Mike Rowse is an independent commentator.
The HK$2 (US$0.26) transport fare scheme for the elderly is one of Hong Kong’s most socially significant success stories. But some of the recent changes, and further ones contemplated, seem to be rowing in a different direction. We need to pause and take stock before we inadvertently undo some of our good work.
In the process, we should also take the chance to ensure the long-term affordability of the scheme.
The subsidy scheme was introduced in 2012 after an announcement in the 2011 policy address by then chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. It applied to seniors aged 65 and above, plus people with disabilities. The objective was to encourage seniors to continue – or at least not discourage them from continuing – to play a full part in daily life, rather than withdraw into their shells and become housebound.
The first public transport operator covered was MTR Corporation. The scheme was extended to franchised bus companies (2012-13), ferries (2013), green minibuses (2015) and then other transport operators as various practical issues were overcome. In simple terms, the qualified passenger pays a set fee of HK$2 for the trip and the government reimburses the transport operator the difference between that sum and the actual fare after taking into account the operator’s own discount arrangements.
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