Hong Kong lawmakers suggest raising HK$500 fine for MTR passengers abusing ticket scheme for elderly, after cases of misuse double over 2 years
- Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme allows residents aged 60 or above, and eligible people with disabilities, to pay only HK$2 for rides
- Legislature hears suspected cases of abuse reached 314 last year, two times more than 156 registered in 2020
The scheme allows residents aged 60 or above, and eligible people with disabilities, to pay only HK$2 for rides on the MTR and other public transport.
The government had previously introduced the JoyYou card, a personalised Octopus pass for the elderly that features the holder’s name and age, in an effort to curb the risk of abuse by anonymous users.
But continued misuse under the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme was raised at the city’s legislature on Wednesday, with official figures showing suspected cases of abuse had reached 314 last year, two times more than the 156 registered in 2020. Joint surveys conducted by the Transport Department and public operators showed the city recorded 464 such cases in 2021.
“Both the government and the public transport companies should be responsible for a stronger supervision system,” finance committee lawmaker Chan Kin-por said.
Adults evading full fares are currently liable to pay a HK$500 fine, an amount Chan thought was insufficient to act as a deterrent, saying the penalty should be increased.
“Otherwise those who continue to break the rules will think the fine is simply a fair price to pay if caught,” he said.
