Government mulls over expansion of transport subsidy

Eligible disabled children will be covered.

According to a government release, the Government is studying the feasibility of extending the $2 transport fare concession scheme to other passengers, including children with 100% disabilities aged below 12.

In reply to a lawmaker’s query today, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said the public transport fare concession scheme for seniors and eligible disabled people aims to help build a caring and inclusive society, by encouraging these groups to participate more in community activities.

He said major public transport operators are offering fare concessions to children aged below 12, and children aged 3 or below are given free rides.

“Having said that, we are studying the feasibility of extending the scheme to children with 100% disabilities aged below 12,” Mr Cheung said.

Under the scheme, the elderly and eligible persons with disabilities can travel on designated public transport at $2 per trip.

By the end of August this year, the daily average number of beneficiaries who enjoyed the $2 concessionary fare was about 608,000.

The Government is closely liaising with the New Lantao Bus and ferry operators to extend the scheme to these operators in around the first quarter of 2013, he said.

The Government has already set up a working group aiming to include green minibuses in the scheme. However, Mr Cheung said it will take time to study and discuss the matter in detail with those in the trade, as most operators are small-scale and of various modes of operation and financial position.

The Government estimates the amount of revenue to be reimbursed to the public transport operators concerned would be around $400.1 million in 2013-14 when the scheme is fully implemented, adding there would be an annual recurrent administration and staff expenditure of more than $20 million.

Mr Cheung said the Government will conduct a comprehensive review of the scheme three years after its full implementation to assess the long-term financial, transport and welfare implications.