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The Government today (July 27) reminded the public that the second phase of the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities will start on August 5.
Under the second phase, the scope of the scheme will be expanded from the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) service to cover the routes operated by Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, New World First Bus Services Limited, Citybus Limited and Long Win Bus Company Limited. However, "A" routes to the airport and racecourse routes are not covered under the Scheme.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "The Scheme aims to build a caring and inclusive society and develop social capital by encouraging the beneficiaries to participate more in community activities. It also facilitates our senior citizens to realise the concept of active ageing and lead an enriched life. I hope that they will fully enjoy and make use of the concessionary scheme.
"For a full-year operation in 2013-14, the Scheme is expected to cost the Government some $400 million in terms of reimbursement to the MTR Corporation Limited, franchised bus and ferry operators concerned for their fare revenue forgone. Around 1.1 million people, comprising about 980,000 elderly people and 130,000 eligible persons with disabilities, will benefit from the Scheme," Mr Cheung added.
Elderly people aged 65 or above and recipients under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme (CSSA) aged between 12 and 64 with 100 per cent disabilities or recipients of the Disability Allowance in the same age group can travel on the above buses at any time at a concessionary fare of $2 per trip using Octopus.
To enjoy the concessionary fare, the elderly will only need to use Elder Octopus or Personalised Octopus whereas persons with disabilities will have to use Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status". No application is required.
For eligible persons with disabilities who have not yet obtained a Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status", they may obtain application forms at the Customer Service Centres in designated MTR stations. The Social Welfare Department will mail the application forms to persons with 100 per cent disabilities who have newly applied for the Disability Allowance or CSSA.
The concessionary fare will not be applicable to fares paid in cash. When the original fare of a journey is below $2, the beneficiaries only need to pay the original fare.
The first phase of the Scheme covering MTR domestic services, including Light Rail services and MTR Bus (Northwest New Territories) was rolled out on June 28. The Airport Express; East Rail Line services to and from the Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Racecourse stations, and the first-class service of the East Rail Line are not covered under the Scheme.
The third phase of the Scheme, which will include routes operated by the New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited and designated ferry services, is expected to commence around the first quarter of next year.
Details of the Scheme are available on the Labour and Welfare Bureau's website (www.lwb.gov.hk/fare_concession/index_e.html). For enquiries, please contact the Bureau at 2810 2300.
Ends/Friday, July 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:00
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