Fare increase will undercut competitiveness of Hong Kong trams, lawmaker says
Tram company should open up new revenue streams by enhancing publicity on mainland Chinese social media platforms, legislator says
The Hong Kong Tramway Workers Union also said on Thursday that trams had lost a significant number of passengers under the government’s HK$2 (26 US cents) fare scheme for elderly residents and that the proposed increment was needed to keep business afloat.
Under the proposal submitted to transport authorities by Hong Kong Tramways earlier this week, adult fares would increase by 10 per cent to HK$3.30, from the current HK$3.
Concessionary fares for children aged between three and 11 would rise from HK$1.50 to HK$1.60, an increase of 6.7 per cent, and for residents above 65 from HK$1.30 to HK$1.50, up by 15.4 per cent.
Lawmaker Chan Hok-fung of the Hong Kong Island West constituency, warned that the fare hike, if approved, could ultimately hurt the operator’s bottom line as it could potentially drive away more passengers.
He noted that many tourists visited the tram station in Kennedy Town, which proved its attractiveness, but the company had not effectively promoted itself on RedNote, a mainland social media platform that has gained global popularity.
“I suggest that the trams could do more to attract tourists,” he said, giving an example of offering more souvenirs for sale.