No cap on HK$2 transport scheme trips as costs outweigh savings: Hong Kong minister
Only about 450 people exceeded 240 monthly trips out of 2.7 million beneficiaries, while system upgrades would cost an estimated HK$30 million
Hong Kong authorities will not cap the monthly number of subsidised trips that eligible elderly residents and people with disabilities can take under a revamped transport fare scheme, largely because implementation costs would exceed the savings.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han revealed the decision on Friday, as data showed that an average of only about 450 people took more than 240 trips a month under the scheme between May last year and April this year, out of about 2.7 million beneficiaries.
Of these 450 people, about 22 per cent were people with disabilities – a proportion significantly higher than their 5 per cent share of total beneficiaries. Sun said that this variance indicated a greater need for travel among some passengers with disabilities.
He said capping the number of monthly trips would affect the travel needs of those with disabilities, including for medical check-ups, rehabilitation services and work.
The restriction would also cause passengers to worry about exceeding the limit, adding unnecessary mental pressure, he said.
Sun added that while introducing a cap could save several hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars in public funds annually, system updates and testing would cost an estimated HK$30 million (US$3.8 million), making it unjustifiable given the small number of high-frequency users.