Extension of relief measures to local public transport sector under sixth round of Anti-epidemic Fund
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     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (June 1) that relief measures for the local public transport sector under the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund would be extended to help the sector amidst the difficult operating environment. 
 
     The Government launched the sixth round of Anti-epidemic Fund in February this year and provided financial subsidies to the local public transport sector including fuel and one-off non-accountable subsidies. The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has substantially dampened patronage of the local public transport sector, posing a significant threat to its financial and operational sustainability. In view of this, the Government will extend the relief measures as follows:
 
(i) Franchised buses, local ferries and tramways: the Government will extend the five-month fuel subsidy to five franchised bus companies, 11 franchised and licensed ferry operators and Hong Kong Tramways Limited by another three months. Furthermore, for eligible public transport operators who record a loss in 2022, the actual regular repair and maintenance costs for a total of six months from July to December 2022 will be reimbursed; and

(ii) Taxis and public light buses (PLBs): the Government will similarly extend the five-month fuel subsidy for taxis and PLBs by three months.

     The total amount of additional expenditure in respect of the above relief measures is approximately $769 million.
      
     The TD will notify relevant public transport operators of the details of the above-mentioned relief measures. For details on the subsidies for transport trades under the Anti-epidemic Fund, please visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/fsub/).

Ends/Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Issued at HKT 9:30

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