Tram fare increase of 10 to 30 cents, moderate increase recognized by LegCo

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/ Hong Kong

Tram fare increase of 10 to 30 cents, moderate increase recognized by LegCo

Hong Kong

2025.02.21 15:53

The Hong Kong Tramways Company hopes to put up fares by 30 cents to HK$3.30 for over 12 years old, by 10 cents to HK$1.60 for children aged 3 to 11, and by 20 cents to HK$1.30 for senior citizens. (Internet)

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport discussed the tram company's application for a fare increase today (Feb. 21). A majority of members supported the fare increase, saying that the rate of increase was mild and would not put much pressure on the public.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport discussed the tram company's application for a fare increase today (Feb. 21). (DotDotNews)

The Hong Kong Tramways Company hopes to put up fares by 30 cents to HK$3.30 for over 12 years old, by 10 cents to HK$1.60 for children aged 3 to 11, and by 20 cents to HK$1.30 for senior citizens.

Dai, a representative of Hong Kong Tramways, pointed out that the company recorded an after-tax profit of about HK$11.2 million last year, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly one and a half times. However, due to the increase in wages and the increase in the number of staff, the operating costs had risen by about 10% to about HK$307 million, and the company would invest HK$68.2 million in the coming two years to carry out various improvement plans, including the renovation of trams and the provision of an application program for the provision of real-time information on the arrival of trams at the tram stops.

Perry Yiu Pak-leung, Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Transport, suggested that the proportion of tourists among passengers should be increased from 20%. The tram company responded that in the future, it planned to attract tourists from the Middle East market and add traditional cultural themes such as cheongsam.

Legislative Councilor Gary Zhang Xinyu suggested that the tram should be allowed to incorporate intelligent driving functions to attract more tourists.

In response to LegCo Member Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee's enquiry on whether the tram company could cooperate in political or public service announcements to increase revenue, the tram company responded that it was inconvenient to take part in political advertisements, but public service advertisements had been co-operated with non-government organizations, such as those in the Mainland.