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The Labour and Welfare Bureau today (March 1) reminded members of the public that the third phase of the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities will start on Sunday (March 3).
The third phase covers 20 ferry routes run by 12 ferry operators (see Annex 1), excluding deluxe class services. It also covers franchised bus routes of New Lantao Bus (see Annex 2), except "A" routes to and from the airport and the routes on a pre-booking and group hire basis.
Under the Scheme, elderly people aged 65 or above and recipients under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme aged between 12 and 64 with 100 per cent disabilities or recipients of the Disability Allowance (DA) in the same age group can travel on the MTR, franchised buses and ferries at any time at a concessionary fare of $2 per trip using a designated 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 fresh 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. As for those eligible persons with disabilities who have newly applied for CSSA or DA, the Social Welfare Department will, upon approving their CSSA/DA applications, mail them the application forms for Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status".
The concessionary fare will not be applicable to fares paid in cash. When the original fare of a journey is below $2, the beneficiaries would only need to pay the original fare.
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, March 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:00
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