MTR Too Stingy Over Concessions: Wu Chi-wai

The MTR Corporation has come under fire over its concessions to the public, with the Democratic party saying it could have been more generous, and accusing the railway operator of not showing enough social responsibility.

The MTR said earlier on Monday that it’s done its best to mitigate a 3.14 percent increase in ticket prices due to come into effect at the end of June.

It said concessions costing it some HK$500 million would mean passengers would not even notice any increase for the rest of 2018 if they use Octopus cards or frequent traveller passes.

However, Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai said on Monday that government policy underpinned the railway operator’s earnings.

"A lot of the MTRC's profits are basically coming from government policy," Wu said.

He said the concession arrangements dated back to the MTR merger with the KCRC, and it should show greater social responsibility in its dealings with the public, Wu said.

The concessions include a three percent rebate on trips until January and from Sunday, a HK$0.30 discount for passengers who switch from the MTR to a green minibus, or vice versa. Prices for monthly and City Saver passes are not due to go up.