Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Bus yesterday applied for a fare rise of 8.6 per cent and 7.4 per cent respectively, despite a five-fold rise in their profit last year.
If approved, the fare rises are likely to take effect on January 1. The fare for a trip will rise by an average of 52 to 85 HK cents.
KMB and Long Win, which operates on North Lantau and at the airport, are both owned by Transport International. The operator recorded a post-tax profit of HK$364.5 million from its franchised bus business last year, while the profit was HK$75.7 million in 2008.
Citybus and New World First Bus said they had no plans to raise fares.
A KMB spokeswoman said the rise was due to increased operational expenses.
She said the average price for zero-sulphur diesel was up 46 per cent year on year, and that fuel accounted for 18 per cent of operating costs. The operator was also facing pressure from inflation and higher wages, she said.