MTR Corporation, Hong Kong’s sole rail operator, has proposed raising Airport Express fares by an average of 9.4 percent.
The hike will be the first in eight years, with the MTR citing inflation, investment for service upgrade and sluggish passenger volume.
The proposal was submitted to the Legislative Council on Tuesday, and the new fare is expected to take effect in June once approved.
After the fare adjustment, the price for a single adult journey ticket between the city center and the airport will see an increase of HK$5 (64 US cents) to HK$10 for Octopus card users. For example, an adult single journey ticket from Hong Kong Station to the airport will increase from the current HK$110 to HK$120.
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The fare from Kowloon to the airport will rise to HK$105, reflecting a HK$5 increase. Octopus users departing from Tsing Yi station will pay HK$73 for the express to the airport.
For passengers without Octopus cards, the fare will increase by HK$10 to HK$15 per journey, bringing adult fares to HK$130.
According to the MTR, 13 million passengers rode the Airport Express last year, generating revenue of approximately HK$800 million. This marks a 20 percent growth over the previous year.
However, the MTR pointed out that due to competition from other forms of transport and changes in business travel patterns, passenger volume for the Airport Express has only recovered to about 70 percent of pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
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The company noted that cumulative inflation has risen by 13.8 percent over the past eight years, accompanied by significantly increased operating costs. Additionally, there is a plan to invest over HK$2 billion to upgrade Airport Express facilities in the next few years, including a new platform to connect the airport station with Terminal Two. Therefore, fares need to be adjusted to achieve a balanced budget.
Fare offers, such as free rides for children during the summer holidays and at Christmas, will be provided this year.
