It was only last year that Hong Kong MTR hiked prices by 2.3%. Be ready to pay a little more for your commute within the territory as MTR is all set to raise the fares by up to 3.09% this year too! The new fares would be applicable from June 30, 2024.
But what makes the MTR fares go up this rapidly? It is the inflation to blame apart from other factors including MTR’s productivity and profitability and a wage index for transport workers. However, taking public affordability into account, MTR has implemented a fare-capping mechanism. This is to ensure that the fare remains within the means of the public.
MTR fares: Frequent commuters can enjoy some perks
The hiked prices would mean that a passenger using an Octopus Card for a trip from Tung Chung to Hong Kong will pay HKD 24.30 as opposed to HKD 23.60 now. A trip from Admiralty station to Shenzhen via the Lo Wu border checkpoint would cost HK$52.30 (HK$1.60 more). Meanwhile if one travels from Kwun Tong-Tsim Sha Tsui, one must pay HKD 9.2 instead of HKD 8.9.
However, frequent travellers can enjoy some perks with the special offer, “Ride 10 Get 1 Free”. Passengers can get a free domestic MTR ride for every 10 trips they take between July 1 and July 28, 2024, on all routes, except the Airport Express. To avail of this offer, they must use an Adult Octopus linked to MTR Mobile accounts. That said, they can only enjoy four free trips during the promotion period.
MTR will roll out City Saver pass, monthly passes and more
MTR will also continue to shower travellers with frequent commuters’ tickets, such as monthly passes, the City Saver that covers 40 single journeys for 40 days (costing HKD 445), the Tuen Mun-Nam Cheong Day Passes, five Monthly Passes, 50 HK cents interchange discount with green minibusses and 25 percent early-bird fare discount for commute between 7.15 am and 8.15 am on weekdays.
(Hero and feature image credits: Needpix)
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
