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The Government today (February 22) announced that the third phase of the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities will start on March 3.
The third phase covers 20 ferry routes run by 12 ferry operators (see Annex 1), excluding deluxe class services. It also covers franchised bus routes of New Lantao Bus (see Annex 2), except "A" routes to and from the airport and the routes on a pre-booking and group hire basis.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "The Scheme aims to build a caring and inclusive society and develop social capital by encouraging the beneficiaries to participate more in community activities. It also enables our senior citizens to realise the concept of active ageing and lead an enriched life.
"Since the Scheme was implemented on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and four franchised bus operators last year, the daily passenger trips of beneficiaries have exceeded 600,000. It shows that the Scheme has encouraged elderly people and eligible persons with disabilities to participate more in the community. With the implementation of the third phase, the Scheme can further assist the elderly people and eligible persons with disabilities."
Under the Scheme, 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 (DA) in the same age group can travel on the MTR, franchised buses and ferries at any time at a concessionary fare of $2 per trip using a designated Octopus.
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 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. As for those eligible persons with disabilities who have newly applied for CSSA or DA, the Social Welfare Department will, upon approving their CSSA/DA applications, mail them the application forms for Personalised Octopus with "Persons with Disabilities Status".
The concessionary fare will not be applicable to fares paid in cash. When the original fare of a journey is below $2, the beneficiaries would only need to pay the original fare.
The first phase of the Scheme covering MTR domestic services, including Light Rail services and MTR Bus (Northwest New Territories), was rolled out on June 28, 2012. 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 are not covered under the Scheme.
The second phase of the Scheme was launched on August 5, 2012. It was extended to cover franchised buses operated by Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, New World First Bus Services Limited, Citybus Limited and Long Win Bus Company Limited. "A" routes to the airport and racecourse routes are not covered under the Scheme.
Details of the Scheme are available on the Labour and Welfare Bureau's website (www.lwb.gov.hk/fare_concession/index_e.html). For enquiries, please contact the Bureau at 2810 2300.
Ends/Friday, February 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:45
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