More than 670 people caught in 9-day Hong Kong crackdown on train fare dodgers
- Cheats who abused the HK$2 subsidy scheme for elderly and disabled account for 89 of 671 people caught skimping on fares
- MTR Corp takes action just after fines for fare dodgers increased as part of bid to deter fare dodging
A crackdown on fare dodgers by Hong Kong’s sole rail operator has seen more than 670 penalty notices handed out in just nine days, with cheats who abused the HK$2 (26 US cents) subsidy scheme for elderly and disabled people accounting for 13 per cent of offenders.
The MTR Corporation on Saturday said 671 people were slapped with penalties between June 25 and Monday, 89 of them for misuse of the subsidy scheme, which allows people aged 60 or over and the disabled to travel at the flat HK$2 rate.
“The company has strengthened the frequency of ticket inspections and deployed manpower, and at the same time enhanced publicity and education on correct fare payment,” it said.
The 671 cases of fare cheating coincided with the introduction of increased fines for evaders on June 25.
Fines for passengers on heavy rail services doubled to HK$1,000 and went up by HK$80 from HK$290 to HK$370 on the light rail network.
