Latest news with #JoyYou
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
What are Hong Kong's best deals and discounts for this year's July 1 celebrations?
Hong Kong residents and tourists will be able to enjoy plenty of discounts, giveaways and other deals when the city celebrates the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on July 1. Advertisement From Star Ferry fares to must-see museums, the Post gives a rundown of what the city has to offer for the occasion. Free transport Commuters will have a chance to win one of the 71,000 MTR tickets available in a raffle being held on July 1 via the rail operator's mobile app. The tickets are valid until January 2 next year. The Airport Express will be free for Child Octopus card holders, while those with the JoyYou card, available to residents aged 60 and above, will enjoy half-price fares. From July 1 to 3, trams trips will be free of charge. Star Ferry fares for journeys between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai will also be free on July 1. Advertisement Complimentary ferry tickets will be given out to 200 lucky commuters on the Central-Cheung Chau route, with 100 free tickets also being distributed for the Central-Mui Wo service and the North Point-Hung Hom/Kowloon City route.
HKFP
14-05-2025
- HKFP
Sharp drop in abuse of HK$2 elderly public transport fare scheme after real-name registration enacted
Hong Kong's MTR Corporation (MTRC) has seen a sharp drop in abuse cases since the government implemented a real-name registration scheme for the HK$2 elderly public transport discount last year. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said in a written reply to the Legislative Council on Wednesday that public transport operators had stepped up ticket inspections after the registration scheme came into effect. The MTRC reported 280 abuse cases between late August and April – an average of eight cases per week. In contrast, the railway company saw an average of 158 cases per week between June and August last year, before the scheme was enacted. The government implemented a real-name registration scheme for the JoyYou card, a type of Octopus card that offers discounted HK$2 public transport fares for residents aged 60 and above, in August. The HK$2 fares apply to most public transport, including the MTR, buses, and ferries. Under the real-name registration scheme, all JoyYou cards are linked to the holder's identity card. Before that, people could purchase 'anonymous' elderly Octopus cards, which have since been invalidated. The scheme aims to tackle abuse, as in when a non-eligible person uses an elderly Octopus card to enjoy HK$2 fares. Sun said that among the 280 cases reported, the MTR Corporation sought police involvement for 14 of them. Police made five arrests, and the remaining nine were investigated for breaching MTR bylaws, as police could not identify arrestable offences, Sun said. In one of the five cases, the person involved was convicted of theft and fined HK$400. In another case, a person was prosecuted and is undergoing legal proceedings, while two other cases are still under investigation. The fifth case was referred back to the MTRC as police found no arrestable offence after investigation.
South China Morning Post
26-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why does Hong Kong need 18 months to revise its HK$2 public transport scheme?
A Hong Kong public transport subsidy scheme will only start charging elderly and passengers with disabilities 20 per cent for more expensive routes from September of next year, with authorities blaming stored-value card company Octopus for the delay, the Post has learned. Advertisement The HK$2 concession scheme is being revised as part of spending cuts involving scaling back transport subsidies. The decision was announced on Wednesday's budget and will help to save HK$6 billion in public money over a five-year period. Under the revised policy, elderly commuters and people with disabilities will need to pay 20 per cent of a fare if it surpasses HK$10. Any trip below the threshold will only cost them HK$2. A government source said the changes could not take effect immediately due to Octopus lacking the needed technical abilities. Another source said the 18-month period was a prediction based on a timeframe for replacing Octopus cards with JoyYou ones. Advertisement The arrangement will require a system update, with authorities to reach out to the relevant operators to discuss the technical requirements.
