Secretary Sun Confident in Smooth Launch of $2 Flat Rate Transport Discount for Elderly

2026-04-03 14:45 Last Updated At：14:58

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video)

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (April 3), after observing the implementation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" on the first day at Tiu Keng Leng Station Public Transport Interchange. Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:

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Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Reporter: How do you evaluate the first-day roll-out of the scheme, and how do you address the fact that some elderly are not comprehensively understanding the whole implementation?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Today, 3rd of April, is the date when the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" is officially launched. For minibuses and for buses, the launch time was midnight today. For the MTR, it started from its first train which departed the terminal at 5.30am this morning.

So far, based on our territory-wide promotion, and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin including a public market and a restaurant, most of them are familiar with the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". They know the operation is very straightforward, for any fare that is at $10 or below, they still just need to pay $2. For fare that is over $10, the elderly just bare 20 per cent of the cost, and the rest of the fare will be borne by the Government. I gave them an example, for a bus fare that charges an adult for $15, the elderly people with JoyYou card would only have to pay $3, i.e. 20 per cent of the fare.

So, apart from today, we are also going to step up our promotion through television, radio and posters which have been posted all around Hong Kong. Also, as you can see, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for a total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Apart from that, we have had the support of district councillors, Care Team members, and also staff of our welfare NGOs (non-governmental organisations). They are using their own ways to explain the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". We are pretty confident that the scheme is now being launched smoothly, and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation.

Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress Convenes in Hong Kong: Chest Pain Treatment Standards Go Global, Joining Hands to Elevate Care Quality

15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress convenes in Hong Kong: Chest pain treatment standards go global, joining hands to elevate care quality

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (April 3) that the 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress (CCPCC 2026) is being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre over two days (April 3 and 4), bringing together about 3 000 medical professionals from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, the Belt and Road countries and regions and around the world. This marks the first time the Congress is being held in Hong Kong, with the city serving as an important bridge in bringing national chest pain treatment standards onto the international stage, representing a significant milestone for the Congress.

This year's Congress features 16 professional forums and over 200 specialised lectures, covering cutting-edge healthcare innovations, AI-assisted clinical decision-making, intelligent emergency response systems, and international accreditation standards. The event aims to establish a platform for academic exchange, innovation, and collaboration in chest pain centre development and cardiovascular medicine, facilitating the sharing of new medical knowledge and experience, and collectively exploring the latest directions in contemporary cardiovascular healthcare services.

The Congress is jointly organised by the HA, the National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, the Guangdong Chest Pain Centers Association, and the Chinese Cardiovascular Association. The opening ceremony was held this morning, officiated by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; Second-Level Inspector of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Jingzen; Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Chinese Mainland), Academician Professor Ge Junbo; Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Chinese Mainland), Professor Yong Huo; Legislative Council Member for the Medical and Health Services functional constituency, Dr Hon David Lam; the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Philip Chiu, the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan; and the HA Chief Executive and the Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Hong Kong), Dr Libby Lee.

Mr Fan stated that CCPCC 2026 being held in Hong Kong for the first time fully demonstrates Hong Kong's unique position as an international hub for medical exchange.

Mr Fan said "Countries and regions around the world are currently facing the severe challenge of a growing number of acute cardiac cases. Strengthening medical exchange and collaboration, and driving medical innovation, are therefore of paramount importance. I believe this Congress will bring fruitful academic achievements to all attendees and inject new momentum into the global development of cardiovascular medicine, ultimately benefiting more patients."

Dr Lee, in her opening address, stated that the HA has always been committed to enhancing the quality of acute cardiac services in public hospitals and actively collaborates closely with Chinese Mainland counterparts to promote the integration of high-quality medical services.

Dr Lee said "Hong Kong's healthcare system is renowned for its efficiency, professionalism, and excellence. The Chest Pain Centre at Queen Mary Hospital has achieved accreditation under the National Chest Pain Centre Construction Standards, and the Chest Pain Centre at Prince of Wales Hospital will also undergo accreditation in due course. Establishing chest pain centres have yielded significant results in improving chest pain treatment processes and enhancing service efficiency, benefiting patients and fully demonstrating Hong Kong's deep commitment to standardised care, multidisciplinary coordination, and timely intervention. Hong Kong's experience can also serve as an important reference for global chest pain centre development. I look forward to collaborating with the Chinese Mainland and international medical communities through this Congress to jointly promote innovation and sustainable development in cardiovascular medicine."

During the CCPCC 2026, the "Chest Pain Center Construction and Accreditation Standards (International Version)" has been officially issued. This standard provides a framework for healthcare institutions worldwide to establish high-quality chest pain centres, which aims to standardise treatment protocols, improve clinical outcomes, enhance clinical prognosis, promote the standardised development of chest pain centres internationally, and ultimately raise the overall level of global chest pain treatment.

Secretary Sun Confident in Smooth Launch of $2 Flat Rate Transport Discount for Elderly

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