Pledge to lessen impact of transport subsidy changes

　　Chris Sun says while adjustments will be made to the scheme, officials will try to minimise the effects on beneficiaries.

　　Welfare minister Chris Sun said officials don't plan to change the eligible age and coverage of the HK$2 transport subsidy.

　　The government plans to complete a review of the scheme by the end of 2024, as its bill is expected to increase by 50 percent, to more than HK$6 billion this financial year.

　　Sun said while there's a need to make changes to the scheme to ensure it is more financially viable in the long run, officials would keep several aspects of this “good policy” unchanged.

　　“The overriding principle is that the original intention of the scheme doesn't change - those benefiting from the scheme, that is elderly people aged 60 and above and the disabled, this won't change,” the minister said on a TVB programme.

　　He added the government did not plan to ban the more expensive bus and minibus trips to the border, saying beneficiaries have gotten used to the travel convenience.

　　Sun said officials would try their best not to make it troublesome for the beneficiaries, or affect their willingness to travel.

　　The minister also stressed that officials would do more to tackle abuses by those who are not eligible for the scheme, and do more promotion to encourage beneficiaries to take cheaper rides whenever possible.