Hong Kong Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han announced on Friday that authorities will not impose a monthly cap on subsidised trips under the HK$2 transport fare scheme for eligible elderly and people with disabilities. Data showed an average of only about 450 people exceeded 240 trips a month out of 2.7 million beneficiaries.
Chris Sun Yuk-han said introducing a cap could save several hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars in public funds annually, but system updates and testing would cost an estimated HK$30 million, making it unjustifiable. Of the 450 people who exceeded 240 trips between May last year and April this year, about 22 per cent were people with disabilities, a share much higher than their 5 per cent of total beneficiaries. He noted this indicated greater travel needs among some disabled passengers for medical check-ups, rehabilitation and work. He added that a restriction would affect those needs and cause unnecessary mental pressure over the limit.
