****************************
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, during a media session after attending a radio programme today (March 22):
Reporter: Some reports have predicted that the fare increase announcement next week will be at least 3.5%, more than last year's 2.7%. Do you think the public will accept this increase while MTR's performance is so poor?
Secretary for Transport and Housing: I will not speculate on what the various figures that will determine the fare adjustment result of the MTR would be. But as far as the system is concerned, we have a formula-driven fare adjustment mechanism for the MTR. And that the result of that formula will still be capped by the change in median household income which reflects the affordability of the general public. So by and large as the formula, we have tried to strike a balance between the need to recognise any changes in operating costs, as well as wages, and at the same time the affordability of the general public. The service aspect of the MTR of course is very important, irrespective of fare levels. So we will try our best to ensure that the MTR service is safe, efficient and reliable.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, March 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 13:10
NNNN
