The Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply announced today that the Government will provide a fuel subsidy of $0.5 per litre of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for taxis, public light buses and school private light buses, from May 31 until July 30.

It is expected that about 16,900 LPG (including LPG-hybrid) taxis, 3,440 LPG public light buses and 170 LPG school private light buses will benefit from the subsidy.

The Government said the two-month temporary measure aims to alleviate operating costs for local passenger transport commercial vehicles which primarily use LPG as fuel, thereby reducing the pressure for fare increases.

In practice, oil companies will offer a discount of $0.5 per litre of LPG at all 66 LPG filling stations across Hong Kong for all LPG taxis, public light buses and school private light buses. No registration or application is required.

To ensure proper use of public funds, the Government and oil companies have signed agreements which set out responsibilities and terms. These arrangements include the Government’s reimbursement to oil companies for the actual amount of subsidies provided; the requirement for oil companies to maintain complete and accurate books and records; the requirement to submit reports to the Government every week; and auditing arrangements. In addition, the Transport Department has steered oil companies in completing system enhancements and testing to ensure smooth implementation.

The Transport Department will also display posters at its licensing offices and LPG filling stations. Leaflets will be distributed at major taxi stands, public light bus stands and all dedicated LPG stations to inform frontline drivers of the subsidy details.