First subsidy of Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme ready for collection from February 16
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     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 12) reminded members of the public that the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme has been implemented since January 1, and commuters will be able to collect the public transport fare subsidy for January at over 1 800 locations in the territory starting from this Saturday (February 16).

     The ways for collecting the subsidy (Annex 1) are as follows:
 
  • the Subsidy Collection Points - installed at (1) all MTR stations and Light Rail Customer Service Centres; and (2) designated ferry piers and public transport interchanges (please refer to Annex 2 for the locations);
  • any outlet of 7-Eleven, Circle-K and Wellcome supermarket;
  • through the Octopus App; and
  • the Octopus Service Points.

     Steps for collection can be found in Annex 3.

     A spokesman for the TD added that on and after the 16th of each month, commuters can collect the subsidy of the previous month through the same channels. The subsidy for each month is valid for collection within the next three months. Hence, members of the public can collect the subsidy for January within three months (i.e. from February 16 to May 15). 

     "Based on the actual expenses of commuters under the Scheme, the total amount of subsidy to be handed out to commuters in January 2019 is around $186 million, involving over 2.3 million beneficiaries," the TD spokesman said.

     Commuters may check their record of public transport expenses and subsidy amount through the website of the Subsidy Scheme (www.ptfss.gov.hk), the Octopus App and the hotline of the Subsidy Scheme (2969 5500). For enquires about the details of the Subsidy Scheme, please see the website of the Subsidy Scheme or call 1823.

Ends/Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:30

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