Hong Kong transport subsidy scheme launches with minor hiccups for tap-and-go Octopus card top-ups at stores
- On the 16th of each month, users can collect 25 per cent rebates, capped at HK$300, for monthly transport costs beyond HK$400 for previous month
- More than 1,800 collection points, in blue, are located across city, including in train stations, ferry piers and convenience stores
A new transport subsidy scheme in Hong Kong enabling commuters to earn rebates on their Octopus cards kicked off on Saturday with some hiccups at kiosks in convenience stores.
Under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, commuters with monthly travel expenses exceeding HK$400 (US$51) received subsidies of 25 per cent of the difference between their total cost and this sum, capped at HK$300.
The extra credit is topped up into users’ Octopus cards at various self-service collection points across the city. While users said they encountered some issues at convenience chains, no problems were reported at kiosks in MTR stations.
At Mong Kok station, 63-year-old Yip Shu-fai was overjoyed to collect HK$152 for his transport costs in January.
“I travel from Tuen Mun to Mong Kok every day to take care of my ailing 90-year-old mother, so this is very helpful,” Yip said. “Now I can go enjoy some afternoon tea with the extra money.”
Now I can go enjoy some afternoon tea with the extra money
Yip said he could spend more than HK$1,100 a month on round trips by MTR and buses.