The government said three franchised bus operators have asked for fare hikes of between 6.5 and 9.5 percent.

In documents submitted to the legislature, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said KMB and New Lantao Bus are seeking hikes of 6.5 percent, while CityBus wants a 9.5 percent increase.

The companies made the applications for higher fares earlier in the year.

Officials said the bus operators have averaged around 3.7 million passenger trips a day in the first half of this year, about 90 to 95 percent of what they were before the pandemic.

They said the government has been helping the firms boost income and cut costs.

"However, with rising salary expenses and volatile fuel costs, as well as continued competition for passengers with other transport modes, the financial situation of franchised bus operators has not been satisfactory," the bureau said in the document.

The government said it will strike a balance between the public's affordability and financial sustainability of the operators when considering the applications.

Lawmakers are due to discuss the matter on Friday.

Last year, the bus firms raised fares from between a little less than 4 percent and 7 percent.