MTR To Make Early Bird Discounts Bigger And Wider

More MTR commuters will soon start enjoying the early bird fare discounts offered by the rail operator.

The firm offers a 25 percent discount to passengers who end their journeys at designated stations between 7.15am and 8.15am on weekdays, but this was set to expire this month.

But the MTR Corporation said on Wednesday that the discount will now continue and will be extended to 44 stations from the current 35.

MTR commercial director Jeny Yeung said that from October, the concession will also go up to 35 percent.

She said together with a 3.3 percent rebate that will offset the MTR's fare hike from June, the concession package is worth HK$800 million in total.

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien, who's a former chairman of the KCR, welcomed what he described as a “positive gesture".

He said the extended early bird discount could benefit up to another 30,000 people, and reduce overcrowding during the rush-hour.

But DAB lawmaker Ben Chan said he would like to see the discount extended to people using the West Rail Line as well.

Meanwhile, outgoing MTR chairman Frederick Ma told shareholders that the railway firm's management of the Shatin-Central Link project has failed to meet public expectations.

However, speaking during his final appearance at an annual general meeting in his capacity as chairman, he said the board of directors has taken steps to improve the company's project management.

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Last updated: 2019-05-22 HKT 20:39

“We actually have already improved the project management operations. We have hired outside consultants to advise us on how to improve our procedures,” he said.

“I can assure you that the board has taken the matter seriously and we have been extremely transparent, as you know, to inform the public,” Ma added.

The HK$97 billion Shatin-Central Link's Hung Hom Station has been plagued by allegations of shoddy work and missing documents that have prompted a judge-led Commission of Inquiry probe.