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The Labour and Welfare Bureau today (June 27) reminded members of the public that the second phase of the extension of the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities to green minibuses will commence tomorrow (June 28).
The second phase of the extension will cover 55 green minibus routes (see Annex 1), with 19 more green minibus operators joining the Scheme. Together with the first phase of the extension rolled out on March 29 this year, there will be altogether 462 routes run by 146 operators (see Annex 2 for a full list of all routes) under the Scheme, covering 91 per cent of all green minibus routes and operators.
"The newly added routes, some of which cover public hospitals, will bring even more benefits to elderly people and eligible persons with disabilities who have a frequent need for medical consultations," the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said.
All green minibuses participating in the Scheme will carry a logo (see attachment) on their windscreens, next to their side doors and atop their Octopus readers for ease of identification. The operators concerned will also help publicise the Scheme by putting up posters at green minibus termini.
The extension allows elderly people aged 65 or above as well as persons with 100 per cent disabilities aged below 65 receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) or Disability Allowance (DA) to travel on green minibuses carrying the logo anytime at a fare of $2 per trip using a designated Octopus.
To enjoy the concessionary fare, the elderly can simply use the Elder Octopus or their Personalised Octopus whereas eligible persons with disabilities shall use a Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status".
Eligible persons with disabilities who have not yet obtained a Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status" may obtain application forms at the Customer Service Centres in designated MTR stations. As for eligible persons with disabilities who are new applicants of CSSA or DA, the Social Welfare Department will, upon approving their CSSA or DA applications, mail them the application forms for Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status".
The Scheme is not applicable to fares paid in cash. When the original fare of a journey is below $2, the beneficiaries will only need to pay the original fare.
The Government launched the Scheme in phases starting from June 28, 2012, covering the general Mass Transit Railway lines, franchised bus routes operated by five franchised bus companies, ferry routes run by 12 ferry operators and most green minibus routes.
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 call 1823.
Ends/Saturday, June 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:00
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