Hong Kong extends commuter subsidies to more types of public transport, costing government HK$2.3 billion a year
Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the scheme, which she wants to launch in a year, will now include more bus, minibus and ferry services
A proposed commuter fare subsidy scheme has been expanded to cater to residents of remote areas not covered by mainstream public transport in Hong Kong.
More than 2.2 million commuters would benefit from the revised scheme as early as 2019, with subsidies costing the government HK$2.3 billion (US$295 million) each year.
Authorities also rejected calls to limit the number of cross-border trips to mainland China that would be eligible for the scheme, a measure that had been floated to prevent abuse by parallel traders who lug goods from the city to the mainland for resale.
The Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme was one of the highlights of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s maiden policy address in October.