KMB told to probe machines that gave free bus rides as revised HK$2 scheme launched
Faulty machines offered full rebates to customers who tapped their Octopus cards
Authorities have demanded that Hong Kong’s largest franchised bus operator investigate glitches in its fare rebate machines, which provided free trips to passengers on the day a revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport subsidy scheme was implemented.
The city’s welfare minister also stressed on Saturday that the problems that occurred with KMB’s machines the previous day – when the revised scheme took effect – did not involve any malfunction in the government’s own system.
“We understand that the Transport Department was liaising with the franchiser overnight,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han told a television programme, adding that there were no problems with the settings of the government’s central system.
“The government was clear that if the operations of some rebate machines were different from the designed arrangements, the extra costs incurred should be shouldered by KMB. There was no loss from the government, the elderly or any users.”
A government spokesman said that KMB would be responsible for paying the additional rebates it accidentally issued to eligible passengers and other residents during the system malfunction on Friday.
“The Transport Department has ordered KMB to investigate the matter immediately and verify the operation of all fare rebate machines to avoid similar future incidents. It must also provide a comprehensive report shortly,” the spokesman said.