Bus company KMB has applied to put fares up by 6.5 percent while Citybus is seeking increases of nearly 10 percent, sources have told RTHK.

The firms' ticket prices last rose in June last year, by four to five percent.

KMB said on Wednesday that it's facing a number of issues such as fewer passengers, a rise in operating costs and unstable fuel prices.

It said it raised staff wages by 3.5 percent this year and 4.2 percent last year.

Citybus also pointed to wages increases over the past three years, saying this contributed to a rise in operating costs.

A spokesman for the company said the application for fare increases was made in January, without disclosing how much it is seeking.

"This fare increase application is still pending for approval, meaning that our fares have remained at the same level for over a year unlike other key transportation operators such as the railway, minibuses, taxi and ferry companies," the spokesman said.

The company cited a poor economy as one reason passenger numbers have not recovered to pre-Covid levels.

The Transport Department said officials are vetting the applications, adding that advisers and lawmakers will be consulted on the matter.

The Legislative Council’s transport panel will discuss the issue on Friday next week, its chairman Ben Chan said.

But the DAB lawmaker is already expressing concern about the proposal, saying “excessive” fare hikes would add to the public's burden amid an economic downturn.

Chan said the government should instead explore other avenues for bus companies to make money while leaving fares alone – such as allowing shops at major bus interchanges.

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien said the companies’ demands are unreasonable, adding that making such demands is a part of a “predictable” process that does nothing but annoy everyone concerned.

"If you look at the past, it's becoming so expected that the whole thing is like a joke," he said.

"The bus companies would ask for the moon, the government would eventually give them 30, 40 percent of what they want. During the period, the companies bear all the curse of the community about being heartless."

In past years, approved increases have often been lower than the levels requested by bus firms.

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Last updated: 2024-11-13 HKT 17:18