Commuters using the HK$2 transport subsidy scheme will have to pay higher fees when taking more expensive routes from April 3 as part of a policy change to cut government spending.

Revisions to the scheme – first announced in last year's budget – mean elderly and disabled passengers will be charged 20 percent of fares that exceed HK$10.

Any trips below that threshold will still cost them only HK$2.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Monday the change "preserves the policy intent of the scheme while striking a balance between enhancing the sustainability of the scheme and minimising impacts on beneficiaries".

The minister said the change, which would help the government save HK$550 million in the next fiscal year, is expected to affect 40 percent of public transport trips.

"We will step up our promotion and publicity to put across the messages to our elderly people and also the disabled, to make sure they are fully informed about the new measure," he said.

"When we roll out the new measure, we will keep a very close watch over usage patterns and all relevant statistics, and we are going to share it with the public from time to time."

The move to cap the number of subsidised trips to 240 per person each month will be introduced next year at the earliest, Sun added.
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Last updated: 2026-03-23 HKT 13:19


Edited by Tony Sabine