Younger seniors fight for lower fares

Staff reporters

JoyYou Card holders aged 60 to 64 are crying foul, claiming they have been discriminated against by being excluded from elderly public transport benefits when traveling to the mainland by MTR.

More than 600,000 seniors in that age bracket were last year included in HK$2 concessionary transport fare scheme using a JoyYou Card - a personalized Octopus for the elderly. But they cannot enjoy discounts to certain MTR stops including Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Racecourse.

Currently, those aged 65 and above pay HK$12.60 for a trip from Sheung Shui to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations, but those below 65 must pay the full price of HK$25.10.

JoyYou holders aged 60 to 64 traveling from Admiralty to Lo Wu pay HK$49.60 - the same as any adult passenger. But those 65 and over pay a concessionary fare of HK$24.80.

Those below 65 are also excluded from the concessionary fare for trips to the Racecourse station in Sha Tin.

A 64-year-old JoyYou Card holder and punter, Cheung, said it is unfair that he must pay the full fare of HK$ 16.60 for his weekly commute to the racecourse while his elders enjoy a HK$2 fare.

"I don't understand why they're setting the eligibility for certain concessions at 65 when they give the card to people 60 years old and above," he said.

"They should just let all of us enjoy the same perks. It's unfair and confusing."

Cheung asked why he must pay much more when he is just "10 months away from 65. If they really want to make it a welfare benefit for seniors it should be across the board."

He also noted JoyYou Card holders between 60 and 64 pay HK$2 if they get off at Fo Tan, which is around a 10-15 minute walk from the Racecourse station.

"It's bizarre," he said. "Are they trying to make me exercise?"

He urged authorities to extend the concessionary fare to those between 60 and 64.

There are over 600,000 seniors aged 60 to 64 compared to 1.52 million aged 65 and above, official data show.

Another JoyYou Card holder, 61-year-old Lam, said she did not know she had to pay full price to cross the border.

"Most of my friends also got their JoyYou Cards recently, and we haven't had a chance to go to the mainland," she said.

"We had no idea we pay full price to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau."

But she said the HK$2 discount already helps her save around HK$1,000 a month, and she was satisfied without a cross-border concession.

A government spokesman told The Standard the half-fare concession is provided by the MTR Corp and not set up by authorities for seniors aged 65 or above.

Seniors can enjoy half price when using MTR services, including the East Rail Line services to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau irrespective of whether they are holders of an Elderly Octopus or JoyYou card, it was noted.

The MTRC also said those aged 65 or above can pay the elderly concessionary fare either with Elder Octopus or JoyYou cards, while adult fare applies to passengers aged 60 to 64.

The government spokesman said the HK$2 scheme was launched in 2012 to help "build a caring and inclusive society."

But the Airport Express and East Rail Line services to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau "have all along been excluded from the scheme," it was noted.

"The coverage of the HK$2 scheme was considered in a comprehensive review by a consultant for the government in August 2018.

"The consultant recommended such routes should remain outside the HK$2 scheme as its objective is to encourage participation of eligible persons in local activities and hence the scheme should cover domestic trips only."