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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, announced today (June 18) that the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities will be rolled out in phases from June 28 (next Thursday) onwards, with MTR domestic services being covered in the first phase.
"The Scheme will enable the beneficiaries to travel on designated public transport modes at any time at a concessionary fare of $2 per trip. The aim is to help enrich social capital and build a caring and inclusive society by encouraging the elderly and eligible persons with disabilities to participate more in community activities.
"We expect that around 1.1 million people will benefit, including 980 000 elderly people and 130 000 eligible persons with disabilities," Mr Cheung said.
"Elderly people aged 65 or above, and recipients under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme (CSSA) aged between 12 and 64 with 100 per cent disabilities or recipients of the Disability Allowance in the same age group can benefit from the Scheme by using a designated Octopus," he added.
The first phase of the Scheme will cover all MTR domestic services, including Light Rail services and MTR Bus (Northwest New Territories). Not covered under the Scheme, however, are the Airport Express; East Rail Line services to and from the Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Racecourse stations; and the first-class service of the East Rail Line.
To enjoy the concessionary fare, the elderly will only need to use Elder Octopus or Personalised Octopus whereas persons with disabilities will have to use Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status". No fresh application is required.
For those eligible persons with disabilities who have not yet obtained a Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status", they may obtain application forms at the Customer Service Centres in designated MTR stations. The Social Welfare Department will mail the application forms to those persons with 100 per cent disabilities who have newly applied for the Disability Allowance or CSSA.
The concessionary fare will not be applicable to fares paid in cash. When the original fare of a journey is below $2, the beneficiaries only need to pay the original fare.
The second phase of the Scheme is expected to be rolled out in September at the latest. The scope will then be expanded to cover the routes of Kowloon Motor Bus, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New World First Bus. The New Lantao Bus routes and ferry routes will be included in the third phase, which is expected to commence around the first quarter of next year. The actual launch dates for the second and third phases will be announced later.
Details of the Scheme are available on the Labour and Welfare Bureau's website (www.lwb.gov.hk/fare_concession/index_e.html). Members of the public may telephone the Bureau at 2810 2300 for enquiries about the Scheme, or telephone MTR Corporation Limited at 2881 8888 for details of the MTR services covered under the Scheme.
Ends/Monday, June 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:00
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