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SCMP Reporter

Students wanting discounted MTR fares in the academic year starting this week will have to pay an 'administrative fee'.

 The Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) is expected to make more than $6 million from the new fee.

 Students aged 25 or under are eligible for a Student Travel Card.

 Previously, application forms were available at schools for free.

 But now forms will be distributed only at MTR Customer Service Centres and will cost $20.

 Last year, the MTRC issued more than 300,000 cards. If it does the same this year, it will earn more than $6 million.

 A company spokeswoman said the fee was to cover the cost of hiring temporary workers to process applications. 'The Government offers needy students a travel subsidy. Our discounted fare is on top of that subsidy,' she said.

 'To process their applications and to update the data bank we need to hire part-time workers. All this involves costs. And we feel we should charge the students the administrative fees otherwise the costs may be shifted to other passengers. And this may be unfair.'  But her arguments failed to win support from the Hong Kong Education Policy Concern Organisation. The chairman, Mervyn Cheung Man-ping, said the fees went against the spirit of helping the poor survive the economic slump.

 'The economy has yet to fully recover. Many people are still jobless. The MTRC is making money. It should not add to families' burdens,' he said.

 'Many parents are already having a headache looking for money to pay for their children's new textbooks and uniforms. It's a time they need money but the MTRC is trying to tap their money.' 



Fee for MTR discount card