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Written by: Golden Chess
2021-04-01 17:29
Last update date: 2021-04-01 17:30
The economy continued to deteriorate under the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and there was no improvement.
However, since this month, there has been a wave of fare increases for many public transport services. Four franchised bus operators have been allowed to increase their fares significantly in the epidemic city, with an overall average increase ranging from 8.5% to 12% starting from Sunday (4th).
As for the fare mechanism of the MTR, although the fare will be reduced for the first time at the end of June, due to the reduction of concessions starting today (1st), the fare concession will be "shrunk" from 20% to 5%, and the burden on the public will increase. .
KMB said today that it understands that people living in remote areas are under great fare pressure and hopes to reduce the impact of fare increases, so it freezes monthly ticket prices.
When the parent company of KMB, Zaitong, announced its results earlier, after it disclosed that it received government subsidies last year, KMB earned 200 million yuan from the government's "prestige". It was questioned that there was insufficient justification for the fare increase.
KMB explained that in the first two months of this year, the passenger volume was still at least 15% lower than normal. It described the situation as sluggish and will save expenses in the future, increase "non-ticket revenue", and reduce the pressure of fare increase.
Leung Lingyan, Director of KMB's Car Planning Department.
(Photo by Ou Jiale)
KMB and other four franchised bus operators have been approved by the Executive Council to increase their fares significantly. Among them, KMB has about 350 independently operated routes. Starting at 2:30 am on April 4, the average fare increase will be 5.8%; for joint-operated cross-harbour routes, they will be increased by 5.8%. Add 12% for the phase, and 8.5% in the early morning of April 4.
KMB said that 90% of passengers pay 1 cent to 9 cents more per trip.
KMB Communications and Public Affairs Department Director Lin Zihao said that it has been 7 years since the last fare increase, during which expenditures such as fuel prices have continued to rise; and the current fare increase was proposed two and a half years ago to deal with the increase in employee salaries, benefits, and driving. Improvements in safety and other aspects of equipment.
He also pointed out that he understands that people living in remote urban areas have a heavy burden on transportation, such as Sheung Shui and Yuen Long. Therefore, KMB will freeze monthly ticket prices and does not intend to increase fares, hoping to balance and reduce the impact.
When asked whether KMB would raise fare increase applications, Lin emphasized that the number of passengers in the first two months of this year "has not returned to normal conditions" and the operation is still very difficult. In addition to saving expenses, it will also increase "non-ticket revenue" to reduce the pressure on fare increases. .
As for whether there will be layoffs, Lin said that KMB will review the human resources situation every year, stressing that frontline staff will not lay off staff, especially the car captain, and hope to maintain manpower and increase frontline recruitment in the future.
KMB made 200 million yuan last year and still increased fares: funds will be reserved for KMB's development and investment
The parent company of KMB recorded a surplus of more than 200 million yuan last year. When asked whether it would provide concessions to the public, Lin Zihao explained that the KMB actually recorded a loss of more than 600 million yuan last year. The surplus was only due to resource allocation and government support. , The money will be reserved for the development and investment of KMB.
He also said that the current two-way interchange discounts offered by KMB will also expand the two-way block fare discounts in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai areas from 17 to 30 lines this month. Experience, hope that good news can be announced in a short time."
The MTR expects that the entire Tuen Ma Line will be opened to traffic in the third quarter of this year. When asked about the route integration arrangement, Leung Lingyan, the director of the KMB's Traffic Planning Department, pointed out that the KMB has communicated with the Transport Department and the route changes are under the leadership of the Department. It is uncertain whether the route will be added or subtracted. It is expected that the route can be reorganized 3 to 6 months after the opening of the Tuen Ma Line.
Lin Zihao, Head of Communications and Public Affairs Department of KMB.
(Photo by Zheng Zifeng)
▼View the latest fares of all KMB routes and joint-operated routes▼
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On the KMB website, there is also a special page for passengers to check the new price of each route after the fare increase, click and see!
▼Click to see the fare increase of routes in the KMB area▼
MTR discounts are now reduced by 20% off and 5% off "disguised fare increase"
The discount period for the MTR "20% fare reduction for journeys" ended yesterday (March 31). Starting today, the discount for each journey has been significantly reduced to 5% off, a disguised fare increase.
Even though MTR has to reduce the fare by 1.7% in accordance with the fare adjustment mechanism starting from June 27 this year, the fare will be greatly reduced due to the discount, and the fare will be reduced and increased.
Although the MTR nominally will reduce the price and promote discounts, enterprises still have a distance from the previous 20% discount.
For example, the original price of an Octopus ticket between Tsuen Wan and Admiralty is 15.2 yuan. Under a 20% discount, it is 12.2 yuan, but under a 5% discount, it is 14.4 yuan, a difference of 18%; the original price of the Octopus between Tung Chung and Quarry Bay It is 27 yuan, only 21.6 yuan for a 20% discount, but 25.7 yuan for a 5% discount, a difference of about 19%, and the cost is 4.1 yuan per trip.
▼From April 1st, arrangements for epidemic prevention measures and discussions on travel bubbles ▼
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Bus fare increase｜KMB will increase the fare by 90% on April 4th, plus less than 1 yuan for the ride and see the new fare for the open route
Bus fare increase｜KMB received nearly 900 million subsidies from the Hong Kong government last year, "convex" turned into 200 million yuan and allowed fare increase
KMB's fare income dropped by nearly 23%. The parent company, Carrier, excluding non-recurring income, made 32.5% less last year
MTR's first fare reduction only offers a 5% discount without renewing the 20% discount on fares, passengers actually pay nearly 20% more expensive
Can MTR ticket concessions be added?
Commercial Director Yang Meizhen: At present, it is the best offer
MTR's first fare reduction Tian Beichen points to a disguised fare increase after the fare has been changed to 5%
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KMB and KMB increase fare increase, MTR and MTR fare increase
