Delay to revised Hong Kong fares scheme a setback for city with AI ambitions
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Given the global race for rapid AI development is well afoot on the mainland, the United States and Europe, it would have been far more worrying if Chan had made little mention of it.
Yet worrying news emerged all the same. Changes to the public transport subsidy scheme that were announced as cost-cutting measures will take a mind-boggling 18 months to implement, the Post has learned.
The changes, which would cap fares for the elderly and passengers with disabilities at HK$2 for fares under HK$10, but charge 20 per cent for routes above HK$10, can only be implemented in September 2026. Authorities placed the blame on Octopus, citing a lack of technical capability and the need for a systems update, among other issues.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po's budget measures included a pledge to transform the city into a hub for international exchange and cooperation for artificial intelligence. Photo: Elson Li
The stored-value card company said it was ready to help authorities with their optimisation plans and timetables.
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