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■長者和殘疾人士兩元乘車優惠計劃將分階段推出，最快6月底港鐵可先提供優惠。資料圖片
勞工及福利局局長張建宗月初表示，長者和殘疾人士兩元乘車優惠計劃將分階段推出，最快6月底港鐵可先提供優惠，幾家巴士公司將於9月中推出優惠。優惠乘車計劃分階段進行，可按先易後難原則盡早落實，讓長者及殘疾人士早日受惠。政府應努力擴大計劃，逐步將小巴、電車等交通工具納入其中。同時，各大交通機構亦應多盡社會責任，積極為長者及殘疾人士乘車優惠作出承擔，以減輕公帑負擔。
推行此項優惠計劃，政府須向參加計劃的營辦商發還交通費差額的開支。政府估計今個財政年度為2.3億元，2013年至2014年度全面推行後，則涉款4億元。此項計劃體現社會對長者及殘疾人士的照顧，發揮關愛共融的精神。參與計劃的交通工具營辦商及八達通公司，應盡量減少行政費用的開支，保障公帑善用。照顧長者及殘疾人士是社會的共同責任，企業應作出更多的承擔。國外和內地的不少大中城市，早已對長者及殘疾人士實施免費乘搭公共交通工具的優惠。再者本港的公共交通機構大多有利潤保障機制保護，幾乎年年加價，應該積極回饋社會。
Public transport operators should absorb cost of concessionary fares for the elderly
Early this month, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare Mr Cheung Kin-chung announced that the HK$2 per trip fare concession scheme for the elderly and eligible persons with disabilities would be implemented in phases starting with MTR by the end of June the earliest and the bus companies would follow suit by the middle of September. It is hoped by implementing the scheme in phases using the approach of easy option first, the fare concession can be in place as soon as possible so that the elderly and disabled people can enjoy the benefit in good time. The government should try its best to expand the scheme and gradually include other modes of transport such as public light bus and tram services. At the same time, the major public transport companies should bear greater social responsibilities and offer concessionary fares to the elderly and disabled people on their own initiative in a bid to lessen the burden on public fund application.
In launching the scheme, the government has to reimburse the participating transport operators for the shortfalls in transport fares. The cost, as estimated by the government, will be HK$230 million for the current financial year and then HK$400 million for the year 2013 to 2014 when the scheme is in full operation. The fare concession scheme demonstrates the care given to the elderly and persons with disabilities by the community, as well as manifests the spirit of love and inclusiveness in the society. Participating public transport operators and the Octopus Company should try their best to minimize the administrative expenses to ensure the proper use of public fund. Taking care of the elderly and persons with disabilities is a common responsibility of the community as a whole; therefore, business enterprises should make greater commitments. In large cities overseas and on the mainland, the elderly and persons with disabilities have long been offered free rides on public transport services. In Hong Kong, where almost all local public transports raise their fares nearly every year under a profit protection mechanism, the transport companies should really repay society more actively. ■Translation by 東明 tungming23@gmail.com
逢周五見報
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