Editorial | Fare rises inevitable but Hong Kong authorities must ensure they are fair
Hong Kong government duty-bound to keep such increases at modest levels so that public transport remains affordable for all
Decisions on raising charges for public utilities including transport can be controversial, especially when the authorities are not seen as discharging their gatekeeping duties as vigorously as they should. The latest bus fare hikes approved by the government are a case in point.
The above-inflation increases are disappointing for many, adding to concerns about the growing burden on the community in times of economic uncertainties.
Even though the weighted average increases allowed for the two key bus operators were lower than the levels sought, they were still considerably higher than inflation.
Citybus and KMB are to raise fares by 7.5 per cent and 4.3 per cent respectively, slightly short of the 9.5 and 6.5 per cent demanded; New Lantao Bus can charge 6.5 per cent more, the same as what it had asked for.
Officials sought to portray the hikes as moderate, saying the accumulated increases approved since 2008 were actually below inflation and rises in household income during the period.
Be that as it may, this is largely due to the fact that the operators had not sought adjustments for some years. Indeed, they were already allowed to charge more last year despite having returned to profit following the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic.
