Tram fare hike on 7.11, councillors worried about the loss of competitiveness, such as the disappearance of the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, advocating free rides for the elderly

The Executive Council passed the tram fare increase a few days ago. The adult fare will be increased by 0.4 yuan to 3 yuan. The new fare will take effect on July 11.

The Legislative Council discussed the fare increase for trams today (4th), and many members accepted the fare increase, but they were concerned about whether the government provided sufficient subsidies and suggested that the government should subsidize the elderly to ride trams for free. I don't want it to be like a treasure."

Huang Peiwen, deputy secretary-general of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, said that it is estimated that the passenger flow of trams will drop by 3% at the initial stage of the fare increase, but as the epidemic stabilizes and passengers return, the passenger volume will return to normal levels.

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Transport and Logistics Bureau: Subsidized trams must take into account the opinions of other transport operators

A subcommittee of the Legislative Council discussed the fare increase for trams today.

Both Luk Chung-hsiung, a member of the trade union, and Chen Xuefeng, a member of the DAB, suggested that the government should consider subsidizing the elderly to ride trams for free.

Huang Peiwen said that at present, the elderly account for less than 20% of the total tram passengers. After the fare increase, the fare for each elderly passenger is 1.3 yuan.

She added that for the elderly, getting on and off trams may be more dangerous, and summer is also hotter, so even if it is free, they may not choose to take trams.

She emphasized that once the trams are subsidized to allow the elderly to take free passengers, the opinions of other transport operators must be considered.

Guo Weiqiang denounces the government's failure to subsidize trams

Kwok Wai-keung of the Federation of Trade Unions said that other means of transport benefit from government subsidies, and the elderly can take the bus for 2 yuan; while the tram itself is willing to provide cheaper fares, but has not received relevant fare supplements, criticizing the government for assisting other means of transport to "grab customers". "If you make a lot of money, you get two discounts on rides, but you are so poor, you get the most flat income, and you make a small profit, and you don't even get any subsidies. The disparity between the rich and the poor seems to be particularly serious in Hong Kong."

He said bluntly: "I don't want it to be like a treasure."

Huang Peiwen said that the government has subsidized the tram, including the construction of the platform, and allowed to sell advertisements on the platform and the car body, and also assisted in the replacement of the track before.

She also pointed out that it is expected that the passenger flow of trams will drop by 3% in the early stage of the fare increase, but as the epidemic stabilizes and passengers return, it is believed that the passenger volume will return to stability.

Chen Shaoxiong, a member of the electoral committee, said that trams have unique technology and maintenance is not easy, but the labor force of tram companies is low and unattractive.

Huang Peimin agreed that trams are very unique, and described the manpower as a "headache" problem. When the stable income increases, wages can be increased to retain manpower.

She also pointed out that the epidemic has affected tram revenue. In 2019, the rental time for tram parties reached 2,529 hours, but there are only hundreds of hours left in 2020 and 2021.

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In addition, the tram company said in a statement today that it has cooperated with Hong Kong Otsuka Pharmaceutical to turn the "#88" air-conditioned tram into a "Pocari Water Special Mobile Experience Hall", and the "tips" of electrolyte absorption rate and storage rate will be displayed in the carriage.

Price increase︱Public utilities plus windy taxis, falling flags plus 3 yuan for trams, electricity bills, gas queuing plus the 25th anniversary of the return Effective tram fare increase｜A maximum of 4 cents will be added to the adult ticket when applying for a tram fare increase