LCQ22: MTR Fare Savers
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Question:
The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) set up the MTR Fare Savers in 2002 to provide adult Octopus card holders with a fare discount of $2 per trip. However, the MTRCL has indicated that with market changes over the years, the ways it provides fare promotions and concessions have evolved as well, and the MTRCL is reviewing the sustainability of such scheme. It has been reported that the MTRCL's remarks have aroused concerns among the grass roots about an increase in transport expenditure. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows the respective numbers and locations of new MTR Fare Savers set up by the MTRCL in each of the past two years, and provide a breakdown of the monthly patronage, operating expenditure, and total amount of fare revenue foregone for each MTR Fare Saver across Hong Kong;
(2) whether the Government has regularly assessed and reviewed the utilisation rates of various MTR Fare Savers and their impact on the passenger flow of the surrounding public transport modes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) whether it knows the purpose of setting up the Futian MTR Fare Saver, and of its patronage and total amount of fare revenue foregone in the past two years;
(4) whether it knows if the MTRCL has regularly collected views from and held discussions with various District Councils about setting up MTR Fare Savers at suitable locations in the districts concerned; if so, of the number of new MTR Fare Savers proposed to be set up in each of the past two years;
(5) given that MTR Fare Savers are not set up in quite a number of districts in Hong Kong at present, rendering local residents unable to be benefited from the scheme, whether the Government has urged the MTRCL to regularly review the locations of MTR Fare Savers and formulate a timetable for conducting such reviews; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(6) since I have learnt that many members of the public consider that MTR Fare Savers are important platform for saving transport expenditure, and given that the Government is the majority shareholder of the MTRCL, whether the Government will ensure that the MTRCL consults the Legislative Council and the public before making any decision to reduce the number of or cancel MTR Fare Savers, and also ensure the introduction of alternative options offering concessions which are no less favourable than those currently provided;
(7) as the MTRCL has indicated earlier that it is actively exploring new promotion offers and platforms, with the growing popularity of the MTR mobile application, whether the Government knows if the MTRCL will fully transition from collecting concessions by tapping physical card to collection via the MTR mobile application in the future; if so, how the Government will ensure that the MTRCL takes into account the ability of the grass roots to apply technology, so as to alleviate the problem of the digital divide; and
(8) whether the Government and the MTRCL will consider utilising the MTR mobile application to further identify underprivileged groups such as low-income persons and carers, so as to allocate promotional resources more accurately and fulfil corporate social responsibility?
Reply:
President,
MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) has been providing various fare promotions and concessions for its passengers, such as the regular fare concessions offered to the elderly, children, eligible students, and persons with disabilities. In 2025, this concession benefited over 600 million passenger trips, reflecting a financial commitment exceeding $3.2 billion, reaching historical high.
In response to Member's questions, having consulted the MTRCL, the reply is as follows:
(1) and (2) The MTRCL established the MTR Fare Saver scheme in 2002 with a view to attracting passengers who are situated further away from MTR stations to walk to a nearby MTR station and travel by MTR by offering fare discounts. Passengers could enjoy a $2 fare discount by tapping their adult Octopus over the reader on the MTR Fare Saver and boarding a train at the corresponding designated MTR station. Currently, the MTRCL has set up MTR Fare Savers at 41 locations in Hong Kong, with four, 18 and 19 readers located respectively on/in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. The list of locations of all MTR Fare Savers is at Annex. Amongst them, the most utilised MTR Fare Saver is located at Central-Mid-Levels Escalators and Walkway System, which encourages passengers to walk to Central, Hong Kong or Sheung Wan Station to ride the MTR. MTR Fare Saver is part of the MTRCL's commercial promotion schemes. The fare discounts and concessions amount are fully borne by the MTRCL, and information regarding its utilisation, operating expenses and concession amount is internal commercial information of the MTRCL. It is understood that the MTRCL currently has no plan to adjust the arrangement of the existing MTR Fare Saver. The MTRCL will continue to review and update various promotion measures from time to time, and maintain communication with stakeholders.
(3) In order to attract passengers from Shenzhen to Hong Kong through Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point to travel by MTR at Lok Ma Chau Station, the MTRCL has set up a MTR Fare Saver at Futian Checkpoint Station on the Shenzhen Metro Line 4, which it operates. Passengers having tapped their adult Octopus or JoyYou Card (for passengers aged 60 to 64) at the reader will enjoy a $3 fare discount for their journey.
(4) to (6) The MTRCL always maintains close communication with various stakeholders (including the Legislative Council, District Councils, and local communities) regarding MTR services, and will upgrade its facilities continuously taking into consideration various factors such as district development and residents' needs. For instance, following the commissioning of the full Tuen Ma Line and the opening of Sung Wong Toi and To Kwa Wan stations, the MTRCL set up MTR Fare Savers at Jubilant Plaza in To Kwa Wan and To Kwa Wan Sports Centre respectively in 2022 and 2023, providing concessions to local residents and passengers.
In light of market conditions, the Government encourages public transport operators to endeavour to provide fare concessions to passengers, having regard to the operating environment as well as social and economic conditions. The MTRCL has launched multiple fare concessions while taking into account its operating situation and the need to maintain its long-term financial sustainability. Apart from regular fare concessions provided to the elderly, children, eligible students and persons with disabilities, the MTRCL also provides a series of fare promotions benefitting those commuting to work, such as City Saver, various Monthly Passes, Early Bird Discount and interchange discount for green minibus routes.
(7) and (8) Along with the continuous expansion of the MTR network and the changes in passengers travelling patterns and behaviours over the years, the MTRCL reviews its concessions from time to time and actively explores different models and platforms to deploy promotional resources in a more precise manner. Currently, passengers can earn MTR points by riding MTR with registered Octopus cards linked to their MTR Mobile accounts, and redeem rewards such as free MTR rides. The MTR Mobile application also features various types of mini-games, "MTR Instant Bonus" quiz game and surveys for users to earn MTR points. The MTRCL also continuously enhanced its promotion efforts via different channels, including educational demonstrations and videos on its official MTR website, mobile application and social media platforms to introduce how to link Octopus cards to the MTR Mobile application and redeem ride concessions, thereby supporting grassroots citizens and the elderly.
In addition, the Government has implemented the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) since 2019 to alleviate the financial burden on commuters with relatively high public transport expenses. There are no age or income restrictions under the Scheme. Currently, the Government subsidises one-third of the actual monthly public transport expenses in excess of the monthly threshold (i.e. $500) incurred by commuters, subject to a maximum of $400 per month for each Octopus and each AlipayHK account.
Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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