Sun defends rehabus amid audit critique

The government has allocated HK$180 million to enhance rehabus services, said Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han.

Speaking in the Legislative Council's public accounts committee yesterday, Sun said the funding for rehabus services has doubled from HK$74 million a decade ago.

That has brought the number of rehabuses up by 54 percent to 226 since 2014.

Two operators now run 126 scheduled bus routes and 13 dial-a-ride shuttle services, allowing people with disabilities to book rides by phone.

"The government is consistently allocating more resources to rehabus to meet the transportation needs of people with disabilities," Sun said.

This follows an Audit Commission finding of inefficient utilization of rehabus services.

Its report noted that while the number of scheduled routes has increased, the number of service users and passenger trips had decreased.

It also found that 22 out of 121 routes had an average of six or fewer passengers per month, while 98 applicants remained on the waiting list for services.

To address these issues, the Transport Department has asked operators to review the scheduled route services in the third quarter and arrange service delivery for those on the waiting list as soon as possible.

It will also review rehabus procurement guidelines and enhance public awareness of the service arrangements.

"Operators are required to submit monthly reports and meet with the department quarterly, allowing the government to closely monitor service performance and address any problems," Sun assured Legco members.

He added that over 100,000 people with disabilities have registered for the service.

"Through such tight procedures, the government can well control operators' service and performances and communicate or negotiate with them once there is any problem," he added.

The department has also urged rehabus operators to convene a sufficient number of management committee and user consultant meetings as well as provide financial documents in a timely manner, he added.

The department will also review guidelines for rehabus purchase procedures in the third quarter and enhance publicity on relevant arrangements. All work is expected to be completed within the second half of this year.