'No Plans To Shelve Extension Of Fare Concession'

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong on Saturday dismissed rumours that the government is having second thoughts about extending a scheme that allows elderly people to pay just HK$2 for journeys on public transport.

The plan to extend the scheme – which currently covers people over 65 – to everyone over 60, was announced in January. However, recent media reports claim some executive councillors are against the move.

Law said the administration is still working at “full steam” to extend the scheme, with the aim of implementing it by 2022.

”We are still working on it, we have no plans of shelving it, although we can’t tell exactly at what time we can do it, but our current target is attempt to implement the scheme... in the next financial year,” he said.

“We are still working in full steam in examining the report from our consultant looking at… the so-called $2 scheme. Basically what we have done is we have briefed the members of the Executive Council recently, and some of the members expressed their views. As the government we will definitely look at their views, analyse and examine different options.”

He added the plan will cost more than the estimated HK$1.7 billion, and added the administration needs to consider its financial status after spending HK$300 billion on pandemic related measures.