MTR To Cut Fares By 20 Percent From July

The MTR Corporation says it will cut its fares by 20 percent for six months from July, to ease the burden on people struggling under the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The rail firm says Octopus card users will receive the rebate for all MTR trips, except the Airport Express.

In addition, all monthly pass passengers will enjoy a flat reduction of HK$100 off their purchases. Each purchase for all five types of Monthly Pass Extras and MTR City Saver will enjoy the reduction for six months from July.

The government and the company will jointly bear the loss in revenue, which is estimated at HK$1.6 billion.

The MTR says the Covid-19 relief package is a special one-off, six-month relief measure that's distinct from the existing fare adjustment mechanism.

Still, some have said the MTR could do more.

The convenor of the Coalition to Monitor Public Transport and Utilities, Richard Tsoi, said the rail firm should offer fare reductions of up to 50 per cent.

"People already feel the existing fare levels are quite high," Tsoi said. "We think, overall speaking, if the reduction is changed to more than 30 or even 50 percent, it would be more welcomed by the general public."