The Transport Advisory Committee today discussed the fare increase application by the Star Ferry Company for the Central-Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui routes.

Committee Chairman Prof Stephen Cheung said members considered and balanced all relevant factors, including the financial viability of the two franchised ferry routes and public acceptability in deliberating on the application.

The committee will submit its recommendation to the Government for consideration by the Chief Executive in Council.

Committee members were also briefed on the implementation of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme.

The Government launched the non-means tested scheme last January to relieve the fare burden of commuters who travel on local public transport.

The scheme covers the Mass Transit Railway, franchised buses, green minibuses, ferries and trams, as well as designated routes of red minibuses, non-franchised buses providing residents' or employees' services and kaito ferry services approved by the Transport Department.

To further alleviate commuters' fare burden, the Government enhanced the scheme from January 1 by increasing the subsidy rate from one-fourth to one-third of the monthly public transport expenses in excess of $400 as well as raising the subsidy cap from $300 to $400 per month.

In the first year of the scheme's implementation, the total subsidy amount was about $1.9 billion, representing a monthly average subsidy amount of around $160 million, with the average number of beneficiaries per month at 2.2 million.

With an additional annual subsidy amount of about $800 million from the enhancement of the scheme, the estimated annual subsidy will increase from around $2.3 billion to $3.1 billion and the average number of beneficiaries per month will remain at around 2.2 million.

Prof Cheung said: “Members are pleased to note that the scheme has been operating smoothly and has been well received by the public since its launch.”

Committee members also noted that the Government at the beginning of the year kick-started the review of the scheme to examine its operational arrangements to provide greater convenience to the public. 

The review is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.