Hong Kong’s Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme: who benefits from it and how to claim your subsidy
- The scheme is open to all public transport users, provided they clock up more than HK$400 in fares each month
- Users are not confined to Octopus payments to claim the subsidy but they must have an Octopus card to do so
Hong Kong’s commuters can pocket a non-means tested transport subsidy of up to HK$300 (US$38) per month from Saturday.
The Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, effective from January 1 this year, was first announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in her maiden policy address in 2017 as a relief measure for commuters.
Under the scheme, the subsidy would be 25 per cent of public travel expenses exceeding HK$400 a month, capped at HK$300, costing the government about HK$2.3 billion a year.
In January, the total amount of the handouts reached HK$186 million, benefiting more than 2.3 million public transport users.
But Hongkongers might wonder how this citywide scheme actually works.
Do I have to apply for the scheme? Are there any age and income restrictions?
No application or Octopus pre-registration is required. Monthly public transport expenses paid by Octopus cards will be automatically taken into account when calculating the monthly subsidy.
There is no restriction on age or income level for beneficiaries. All commuters can benefit from the scheme as long as their monthly public transport expenses exceed HK$400. This includes those who benefit from other fare concession schemes such as the elderly or disabled.
What public transport services or routes are covered?
It covers a wide variety of public transport, including MTR, franchised buses, green minibuses, ferries, trams, designated routes of red minibuses, Kaitos – small ferries that serve mainly residents of outlying islands – and non-franchised buses providing residents’ services and employees’ services approved by the Transport Department.
To facilitate the identification of subsidised routes, the logo of the scheme will be displayed above Octopus readers or on certified vehicles or vessels.
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Are there any public transport expenses not included under the scheme?
The following public transport expenses and transport tickets will not be covered:
– Fares paid in cash
– Taxi fares
– Single-journey MTR tickets (including Airport Express), high-speed rail tickets, intercity tickets, Airport Express Same Day Return Tickets, as well as Airport Express Round Trip tickets bought at travel agents
– Single-journey Airport bus tickets
– Expenses on tickets provided for tourists
– Day passes for the “Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus” with New World First Bus Services
– Fares paid using temporary Octopus cards
– Fares for carrying bicycles, freight, vehicles and pets on ferries
How is the monthly subsidy calculated?
The subsidy for each month will be calculated on the basis of the actual monthly public transport expenses recorded on each Octopus. The government subsidises 25 per cent of people’s spending on public transport after the initial HK$400, capped at HK$300 per month.
For instance, a commuter who spends HK$1,200 on transport in a particular month will get a HK$200 subsidy.
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How do I claim the subsidy? Is there a time limit?
On and after the 16th of each month, commuters can collect the subsidy for the previous month via the Octopus App or at more than 1,800 collection points around the city, including Octopus Service Points, MTR stations, light rail customer service centres, designated ferry piers and any 7-Eleven, Circle K or Wellcome supermarket. The collection points are blue in colour. All commuters need to do is to tap their Octopus card on dedicated readers at these locations. The subsidy will then be credited to the Octopus.
The subsidy for each month is valid for collection within three months, after which the monthly amount cannot be retrieved.
How can I check my monthly subsidy amount?
How do I include expenses on designated transport tickets paid via cash or other non-Octopus payment means?
Users can register them to combine them with Octopus records to calculate the total public transport expenses in a calendar month.
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Depending on the types of designated transport tickets, including monthly passes for ferries or trams and Airport Express round trip tickets, commuters can register the tickets by presenting their Octopus card at the time of purchase or via the designated transport ticket self-registration points located at MTR stations, light rail customer service centres and ferry piers selling relevant tickets. These self-registration machines are green in colour. Passengers need to first tap their physical ticket on the reader, followed by their Octopus card.
