Transport subsidy set for this year

February 05, 2012

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says the Government is preparing to launch the $2 transport concessions for the elderly and the disabled in the second half of this year.
 
Speaking after attending a radio programme today, he said the Labour & Welfare Bureau, Transport & Housing Bureau and Transport Department have been discussing the move with transport operators.
 
In the 2011-12 Policy Address, the Government proposed allowing people aged 65 or above, and the disabled, to travel on the general MTR lines, and franchised bus and ferry routes for $2 a trip.
 
Asked if plans for the elderly will be carried through to the next government, Mr Cheung said he is confident there will be continuity because a lot of elderly services are funded in recurrent expenditure.
 
“We have got additional recurrent provision this year, for example, the government's recurrent commitment for elderly services is $5 billion, compared with $4.2 billion in the current year. All these mean we are dedicated to providing the services in the long term.”