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Letters

I write in response to the letter “Time to adopt QR code mobile payments on MTR to cut costs and benefit more commuters” (October 3), which mentions the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme which “enables senior citizens and those with disabilities to pay up to HK$2 for their public transport trips”.
Currently this concession scheme applies to senior citizens aged 65 and above. In January, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor promised to lower the age threshold to 60, and the budget in February mentioned this, but the concessionary fares have not yet become effective (“Transport subsidy proves yet another rough ride for Carrie Lam”, October 26).
Many of us are suffering financially due to the lack of dividends from HSBC and other large companies, and cannot access Mandatory Provident Fund funds until we reach 65 years of age.
I urge you to give more prominence to this issue in your reportage to get the required action taken, and soon. This concession will make a huge positive difference to many of us.
D.A. Smith, Wan Chai
Time Hong Kong gave back to its seniors
I am writing in response to “Hong Kong to press on with HK$2 public transport scheme extension’’ (October 24). The Hong Kong government earlier promised to let people aged 60 to 64 use public transport, such as the MTR, buses and minibuses, at a concessionary fare of HK$2 per ride. Currently, only those aged 65 or above can enjoy this discount.
Recently, there were media reports that this plan was going to be delayed because of the long-term costs involved and the impact of Covid-19 on the economy. However, the secretary for labour and welfare chief denied that the scheme will be postponed, saying that the government still wanted to implement it in the next financial year.
Hong Kong’s population to be smaller, greyer by 2069, government forecasts
I welcome the news, as I definitely agree with the plan of allowing people aged between 60 and 64 to also enjoy the HK$2 fare on public transport, because most in this age group have retired. They may not have any regular earnings, and must depend on their savings to buy necessities and use public transport. A discount on transport costs would mean a lot to them.
Besides, those aged over 60 made many contributions to society when they were younger and more able. Whether as white-collar office-goers or essential workers like cleaners, or as frontline retail and catering staff, they all did their bit for the city. It is time we gave back.
Owen Hau, Tseung Kwan O  


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Why Hong Kong needs to speed up action on HK$2 transport for the elderly

The Hong Kong government has promised to lower the age threshold for HK$2 rides on public transport from 65 years to 60, but this has yet to be implemented. Photo: Sam Tsang

When HK$5 billion is not enough: Hong Kong transitional housing plan ‘more expensive than initially thought’

A view of the Nam Cheong Street Modular Social Housing Project, a transitional residential development in Shek Kip Mei. Photo: Winson Wong

Aerial view of the site in Yuen Long, which will be donated to NGO by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), who will be the fourth developer to loan land for the use of "transitional" homes for people who are on the waiting list for public housing. 10JAN20 SCMP / Winson Wong

Hong Kong government draws criticism from all quarters for mulling a pause on HK$2 ride scheme for the elderly

Many retired people are returning to the labour market in ageing Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Passengers using their octopus card at the gate, photographed at the Quarry Bay MTR station. 24APR19 SCMP / Xiaomei Chen

People wearing face masks on a bus at Tsz Wan Shan, Wong Tai Sin. As part of the measures against COVID-19, the public is now required to wear face masks in all indoor public spaces, as well as at public transport terminals and interchange stops across the city. 24JUL20 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Transport subsidy proves yet another rough ride for Carrie Lam

Since the HK$2 ride scheme was introduced in 2012, the number of eligible people aged 65 or above increased about 35 per cent, from 980,000 to 1.32 million in 2019. Photo: Xiaomei Chen