A bus is burned down to its frame by rioters in Hong Kong, Nov 13, 2019. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)
The Hong Kong government plans to spend HK$1.52 billion ($196 million) to help the city’s transport services operators ride out the financial difficulties caused by more than seven months of social unrest that has severely disrupted their operations.
The relief measures are contained in proposals submitted by Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan to the Legislative Council’s transport panel on Friday as part of the government’s efforts to bail out industries that have taken a beating from violent protests.
The government plans to reimburse one-third of the fuel or electricity costs for six months to franchised bus companies, franchised and licensed ferry operators, and Hong Kong Tramways. Taxi and red-minibus drivers will receive a HK$1 discount per liter of propane for six months
Frank Chan Fan,
secretary for transport and housing
The program calls for six-month fuel subsidies, as well as one-time handouts, for more than 60,000 taxi and red-minibus drivers, as well as 180 public transport services operators. The government hopes to implement these measures in the second half of the year.
Chan said the government plans to reimburse one-third of the fuel or electricity costs for six months to franchised bus companies, franchised and licensed ferry operators, and Hong Kong Tramways. Taxi and red-minibus drivers will receive a HK$1 discount per liter of propane for six months.
The special administrative region government also suggested providing a one-time non-accountable subsidy of HK$5,000 to each licensed, non-franchised bus, cargo van, school bus and commercial vessel owner, all of which have suffered to various degrees from the prolonged local turmoil and global uncertainties.
The city’s public transport sector has been among the hardest hit since violent street protests erupted in mid-June, which led to a 40 percent plunge in tourist arrivals in the second half. MTR Corp, the city’s sole railway operator, said it has suffered losses of up to HK$1.6 billion due to vandalism, loss of ridership, wages for extra staff, and rent concessions.
Chan also announced on Friday the partial opening of the HK$100 billion Sha Tin-Central rail link scheduled for Feb 14, which he said would hopefully be a “surprise” for the public amid the current gloomy sentiment.
The new link between Tai Wai and Kai Tak stations will significantly shorten the travel time between East Kowloon and New Territories East. Commuters using the new Hin Keng and Kai Tak stations will get a HK$1 fare discount until the entire link opens.
