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SCMP Reporter

Bus fares will rise next month by up to eight per cent.

 The Transport Advisory Committee yesterday rejected applications for increases from KMB, CMB and Citybus of 9.5 per cent, 11 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively.

 Members instead endorsed the Transport Department recommendations of a seven per cent increase for KMB, eight for CMB and six for Citybus.

 The figures also fall short of forecast inflation for each company between their last rise more than 20 months ago and the proposed December increase.

 Committee member Anthony Yuen Tak-tim said despite the recommendations being below inflation, the firms' requests were unreasonable.

 'Inflation is not the only factor we have to consider. There is also public acceptance of the new fares, operation costs and profits for the companies,' he said.

 'The recommendations are more reasonable.'  Spokesmen for bus firms last night said they would not comment on the recommendation, which is pending final approval by Exco.

 Committee chairman Dr Cheng Hon-kwan said the proposal would see fares on about 80 per cent of all three operators' routes increase between 50 cents and $1.50. He said cross-harbour routes would increase about seven per cent while some routes may not be affected at all.

  A controversial taxi surcharge for the Western Harbour Crossing was approved by Exco yesterday and will begin on January 1.

 Passengers using the tunnel now pay an additional $10 on the $30 toll to allow the driver to return to his home district via the cheaper Cross Harbour Tunnel or Eastern Harbour Crossing.

 But as these tolls increase from $10 to $15 on January 1, requiring a $15 surcharge, the total $40 Western tunnel surcharge will now also increase $5 to ensure drivers are not out of pocket should they choose to return via the Eastern tunnel.

 The move had been criticised as likely to worsen congestion in the Cross Harbour Tunnel.



Bus passengers face up to 8pc fare increases