Further delays expected for roll-out of expanded public transport subsidies for older Hong Kong residents

“It will be over a year before the scheme is implemented. This will be two years since the policy was announced. Those in the 60 to 64 age range fail to understand why it is taking so long,” Cheng said.

The same sentiment was echoed by Cheng’s fellow DAB member Wilson Or Chong-shing, who questioned why the government had not taken action as soon as they found out ineligible citizens were taking advantage of the discounted ride scheme.

“You discovered abuse since 2019. There is an elderly population of 1.32 million people, and there are about 3.6 million anonymous Octopus cards. Why didn’t the government take decisive steps?” Or asked.

Law promised to speed up the implementation process in conjunction with Octopus and various operators, but said it would take time to issue hundreds of thousands of cards with photos, hence the delay.

“[Authorities need] manpower to deal with 600,000 newly issued cards. It will also require software and hardware enhancements,” Law said. “It will take a little over a year, but it’s our best effort.”

He also admitted there was a need for more manpower to curb abuse of the scheme.

“If we lower the age limit from 65 to 60, the concern will be greater,” he said. “The burden created for those responsible for monitoring will be even heavier.”

Independent lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai said he was concerned that if the government did consider suspending the scheme during peak hours, it could worsen congestion.

“Are there such plans, or does the government believe that the scheme will not exacerbate traffic congestion?” he asked.

Law said that while usage of the cards during peak hours would be assessed, restrictions would not be put in place as the travel patterns of the elderly were unique.

“In terms of the usage of public transport modes among the elderly, the patterns are very different compared to people going to work,” Law said.

First launched in 2012, the fare concession scheme currently enables elderly people aged 65 and above, and the disabled, to take designated public transport at a concessionary fare of HK$2 per trip. The number of residents eligible for the scheme had increased by about 35 per cent, to 1.32 million, as of last year, and was expected to rise further to more than 1.75 million by 2025.