Protesters Slam MTR Over Planned Fare Hike

Around 30 people picketed the MTR's Tai Wai station on Sunday in protest against the railway operator's decision to hike fares by more than three percent in June.

Activists from the League of Social Democrats and the Labour Party posted stickers on walls and signs around the station, and handed out pamphlets.

They also called for an end to the fare adjustment mechanism, saying it allows the company to raise fares even though it made HK$16.8 billion profit last year.

Labour Party chairman Steven Kwok says the government - as the company's biggest shareholder - has a responsibility to ensure public transport is affordable.

He said the budget surplus showed that the government had the resources to buy back the MTR.

"If the government owned the MTR, this situation would not happen," Kwok said.