Hong Kong travel to get cheaper for over 60s as public transport subsidy scheme extended

More than 600,000 people aged 60 to 64 expected to benefit from move which will take effect from February 27 next year

The HK$2 fare scheme, which initially only included those aged over 65, applies to journeys on the city’s MTR trains, franchised buses and ferries

Reading Time:2 minutes

A transport subsidy scheme for elderly Hongkongers will be extended to include residents aged 60 and over. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 2:35pm, 30 Jun 2021Updated: 11:38pm, 30 Jun 2021

Using Hong Kong’s public transport will get considerably cheaper for more than 600,000 residents from next February 27, after the welfare minister said a subsidy scheme would be extended to include people aged 60 to 64 and cover more forms of travel.

The new beneficiaries of the discounted transport scheme – which provides HK$2 (26 US cents) trips on MTR trains, franchised buses, green minibuses and ferries – will have to apply for a personalised Octopus “JoyYou Card”, which will show the holders’ names and photo to prevent the system being abused.

With the expansion, the estimated reimbursement to participating public transport operators for forgone revenue will more than double from HK$1.03 billion in 2020-21 to HK$2.74 billion in 2021-22.

A poster highlights the extension of the subsidy to the city’s green minibuses in 2015. Photo: Handout

Revealing more details on Wednesday, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong urged residents to show the cards when they paid fares, so transport workers could verify their identity easier.

“Don’t just put it in your handbags. Some people aged between 60 and 64 look too young. Unless you are very happy to be asked about your age, you should show your cards,” Law said.