$2 Scheme changes to "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" from April 3, 2026
The Government announced today (March 23) that, from April 3, 2026, the concessionary fare under the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme) will change from a $2 flat fare to a "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". This means that beneficiaries will continue to pay $2 for trips with an adult fare of $10 or below. For trips with an adult fare above $10, beneficiaries will pay 80 per cent off the full fare. This adjustment applies to interchange journeys.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The $2 Scheme aims to build a caring and inclusive society by encouraging the elderly and eligible persons with disabilities to participate more in community activities. The '$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount' adjustment preserves the policy intent of the scheme while striking a balance between enhancing the sustainability of the scheme and minimising impacts on beneficiaries."
The targeted beneficiaries of the $2 Scheme remain unchanged after the implementation of "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Eligible beneficiaries can continue to enjoy the scheme using a JoyYou Card or Personalised Octopus encoded with "Persons with Disabilities Status".
The Government will launch a series of promotional activities to help eligible beneficiaries understand the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" arrangement. These include Announcements in the Public Interest on television and radio, displaying posters and distributing leaflets at major public transportation networks and through district networks that provide services for the elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as displaying advertisements on public transport. The Labour and Welfare Bureau also holds two briefing sessions today for members of the 18 District Councils and District Services and Community Care Teams to explain the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" arrangement, so that they can assist in promoting it to beneficiaries of the $2 Scheme and answering enquiries. Moreover, starting from the effective date (i.e. April 3, 2026) of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" adjustment, the Government will deploy service ambassadors at MTR stations and public transport interchanges to assist the public and answer their enquiries.
For the latest arrangements of the $2 Scheme, please visit the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk/en/gov_public_transport_fare_concession/index.html) or call 1823.
Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS attends China Development Forum 2026
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22).
Mr Chan attended the opening session and a thematic symposium of the China Development Forum 2026 in the morning. He also spoke at the thematic symposium titled "Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development" in the afternoon.
In his remarks at the symposium, Mr Chan said that, from an economic perspective, estimates project that by 2050 climate change could cause annual losses of up to US$38 trillion to agriculture, infrastructure and productivity. To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the world still faces an annual funding gap of more than US$4.4 trillion. While some countries have withdrawn from international co-operation frameworks, the momentum of the green transition continues to advance. Investment in clean energy exceeded US$2.2 trillion by 2025, accounting for about two-thirds of global energy investment, with China contributing about one-third.
Mr Chan stressed that China is not only a participant in global climate governance, but also a steadfast practitioner and leader, making steady progress towards the "3060" dual carbon goals. The country's 15th Five-Year Plan will embed green development deeply into industrial upgrading and infrastructure development, accelerating a comprehensive green transition across economic and social development and setting out a number of binding targets. As a Special Administrative Region of the country, Hong Kong is firmly advancing towards carbon neutrality, with targets of halving carbon emissions by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It has been making solid progress. In 2024, Hong Kong's per capita carbon emissions fell to about 4.4 tonnes, roughly one-quarter of that of the United States and 60 per cent of that of the European Union. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will continue to take forward its decarbonisation work along four major directions, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction.
He noted that Hong Kong is committed to contributing "Hong Kong's strength" to the regional and global green transition, leveraging two core engines of green finance and green technology. First, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its role as a regional green finance hub. This includes maintaining its leading position in green and sustainable debt and integrating blockchain technology with green finance to attract more green capital. At the same time, Hong Kong will continue to align its green finance standards with international best practices. Second, Hong Kong will proactively develop innovative financial instruments to channel greater funding into green projects. Examples include infrastructure securitisation to mobilise global capital for renewable energy and other green infrastructure, as well as the issuance of catastrophe bonds to transfer major natural-disaster risks to the capital market. Third, Hong Kong will further foster a vibrant green technology ecosystem and step up investment in frontier green technologies, including through the deployment of "patient capital". Hong Kong will also support Mainland green technologies in expanding into overseas markets.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the Minister of Finance, Mr Lan Fo'an. They had in-depth exchanges on the 15th Five-Year Plan, the national and global economic outlook and fiscal policies, as well as strengthening co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Secretary for the Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, and the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Dr Kelvin Wong, also attended the meeting.
Mr Chan also attended the Beijing Night of the China Development Forum 2026 in the evening.
Mr Chan will continue his programme in Beijing tomorrow morning (March 23) and will depart for Hong Kong in the afternoon.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (right) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and exchanging with guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (left) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and taking a photo with the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of BrainCo, Dr Han Bicheng (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (second left on stage) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and participating in thematic symposium titled "Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (right) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and taking a photo with Professor of Columbia University, Professor Jeffrey Sachs (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (second left) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and speaking at the thematic symposium titled "Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (left) calling on the Minister of Finance, Mr Lan Fo'an (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
