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Danny Mok

Rail merger will save passengers 5pc to 35pc on tickets
As many as 2.8 million rail commuters a day can expect savings of between 5 per cent and 35 per cent in fares from December 2 when the long-awaited merger of Hong Kong's two rail services takes effect.
Details of the fare discounts, a crucial selling point for the merger, were announced yesterday by the MTR Corporation.
Long-distance commuters travelling on Octopus cards, who need to change train systems, will see the biggest savings under the new fare structure. For most travellers, the discount will range from 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
The fare cuts had been promised as a condition for the rail merger. The corporation has also undertaken not to increase fares before June 2009.
Fare reductions will not, however, apply to the Airport Express, journeys to and from Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau, and Light Rail.
The new fare structure received a mixed reaction from commuters. Some said it was unfair to passengers on short journeys; others said the fare reduction would ease their transport costs.
But public light bus and public bus operators expressed concerns about increased competition.
The highest fare cut will be enjoyed by an Octopus card user travelling from Tin Shui Wai to Sha Tin, taking West Rail, changing to the MTR and then East Rail. This journey will cost HK$15.10, a saving of HK$8.20, or 35.2 per cent, from the current fare.
With the so-called 'interchange fare concession', a trip from Ma On Shan to Yau Ma Tei, taking the KCR and changing to the MTR, will cost HK$8.60 instead of HK$12.80.
But those taking the same journey on single trip tickets may need to wait for another year to enjoy the 'interchange fare concession' because of 'technical issues with the ticket gates' at interchange stations  at Kowloon Tong, Mei Foo, Nam Cheong and East Tsim Sha Tsui.
But the corporation maintained the new arrangements should benefit most rail commuters because more than 90 per cent of them were Octopus card users.
A spokeswoman for Kowloon Motor Bus said the company would consider improving services to attract passengers.
Asked if KMB would withdraw its earlier application for a fare rise, she said the company was still awaiting a reply from the government.
Leung Hung, chairman of the Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories Public and Maxicab Light Bus Merchants United Association, feared buses would not be able to compete.
'We had planned to increase fares in the wake of the surging fuel prices, but now we won't even think about it,' Mr Leung said.
Democratic Party lawmaker Andrew Cheng Kar-foo, who chairs the Legislative Council panel on transport, accused the corporation of trying to play with figures to paint a picture of huge savings for commuters.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong welcomed the fare reduction. Legislator Cheung Hok-ming called for Light Rail fares to be cut as well. He urged the MTR Corp to take into account people's ability to pay when considering adjusting fares.
Cheaper trips
From December 2, most passengers using the newly merged MTR-KCR railway services will pay lower fares
Number who will pay lower fares: 2.8m
Number who will save more than 5 per cent: 1.5m
Number who will save more than 10 per cent: 0.13m
Source: MTRC



MTR sets out fare cuts for 2.8m commuters