ExCo approves bus fare increase of fifty cents to one dollar

The executive council approved the fare increase proposals for five bus companies on Tuesday, with most of the routes' rates up 50 HK cents to HK$1.

The fare increases would go into effect on June 18.

All five franchised bus companies asked for fare increases ranging from 8.5 percent to 50 percent last year. After the review, the government approved an average fare increase of 3.9 percent to 7 percent.

The government said it has looked into the current fare levels and handled the applications prudently to minimise the impact on the public. 

Upon implementing new fares next month, about 87 percent of passengers are expected to pay no more than 50 HK cents extra per trip and almost all of them pay no more than HK$1 extra after the fare hike.

Fares for the Kowloon Motor Bus services will increase by an average rate of 3.9 percent, while its sister company Long Win Bus get a 4.2 percent rise.

Citybus and New World First Bus get an average rate of 4.2 percent and 4.9 percent increase, respectively, instead of the previously requested flat fare increase of HK$2 across all routes, which was a 23 percent increase on its regular and overnight services.

New Lantao Bus was approved for a 7 percent fare increase.

Speaking at a media session, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said the average increase rates are relatively mild.

“I think it would be affordable for the general public,” he said. “On the one hand, it should be affordable for the passengers, but on the other hand we have to maintain the financial sustainability of the bus companies. That is why we came to these levels of fare increase.”