The Motor Transport Workers General Union said on Thursday that a plan to subsidise certain sectors running on liquefied petroleum gas would go a long way with drivers tasked with serving the public.

Taxis, public minibuses and school buses are expected to get a subsidy of 50 Hong Kong cents per litre by the end of next month, not long after the ceiling price per litre of LPG is hiked up at dedicated filling stations by more than HK$1 starting in May.

The general union's first vice chairman, Chong Wing-tak, told an RTHK radio programme that drivers in these public transport sectors faced having to pay about HK$30 more per shift per vehicle.

“[The increment] isn't that great if you calculate it on a daily basis. It's only about HK$30 a day. On a monthly basis, however, that's about HK$1,000,” he said.

“That means drivers would be taking a monthly pay cut. As you know, taxi and minibus drivers are self-employed.”

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan has said the decision to offer an LPG subsidy is expected to benefit operators of around 16,900 taxis, 3,440 minibuses and 170 school buses.

The government's swift action in this regard, Chong added, can alleviate drivers’ burden by half.

He also hopes the two-month subsidy can be extended if LPG price continues on an upward trajectory.

Chong suggested the administration consider setting up a fuel surcharge mechanism for drivers in these sectors in the long run.

The move comes in the wake of a HK$3 per litre subsidy for vessels and commercial vehicles that run on diesel, with the relief measure starting on Thursday and ending on June 29.

With firms having to submit a weekly report to the authorities to ensure that they do not increase the charges that they levy on the public while receiving the subsidy, the deputy general manager of a diesel distribution firm, Janet Lo, said the requirement has brought an extra workload.

This is because they have to compile the information needed within a short time, and they also have to make sure that their customers are not using the fuel outside Hong Kong or reselling it, she added.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden