KMB warns of overload from $2 fare burden

Ayra Wang

Hong Kong's largest bus company said it would take a further hit to its struggling operations if the SAR administration makes it mandatory for franchised bus companies to shoulder the costs of the HK$2 public transport subsidy for seniors and the disabled.

A Kowloon Motor Bus representative said the number of passengers aged between 11 and 64 dropped 12 percent from 2018 to August 2024 amid competition from the expanded rail network, shifting travel habits and people going over to the mainland to shop.

"Passenger volume has yet to recover to prepandemic levels, staying at around 90 percent," he said.

Public spending on the HK$2 scheme is expected to reach over HK$6 billion this fiscal year.

While the MTR and bus companies have each received over HK$1.5 billion in subsidies in the past fiscal year, KMB said they are not the direct recipients but transferring the benefits to passengers.

"It's akin to adding more weight onto an already heavy load if the burden of subsidies is shifted onto the bus companies' accounts," he warned, emphasizing that service operators should not be taking over social welfare programs' implementation.

KMB plans to deploy the first open-top sightseeing buses on its current K1 route, which connects attractions in Kowloon, as early as April.

A total of 10 such buses from its fleet are expected to start meeting demand for in-depth tourism this year.

It also aims to expand interchange schemes with stations planned for New Territories East, as well as rent out to convenience shop and express locker operators at these stations to attract more passengers.