HK$2 fare abusers warned inspection blitz imminent
Transport officials, travel company staff and security guards are to be deployed in teams of three to catch people abusing Hong Kong’s HK$2 fare scheme, the government announced on Friday. The inspection squads will carry out checks on passengers on buses, minibuses and ferries across the city, to make sure only people aged 60 and above or those with disabilities are making use of the heavily subsidised fares. The operation is set to begin on June 26 and will last for at least two months, said Deputy Transport Commissioner Macella Lee. "We would like to have a deterrent effect, make sure that people who are not eligible for the scheme will not use Octopus Cards to enjoy the scheme. We are not trying to find you out, but we want you to stop abusing this scheme and let the real beneficiaries enjoy the scheme," she said.  Lee urged people who are stopped by the inspectors to cooperate. She also warned that in some cases of suspected abuse, the police could be notified. "Previously, we would let them go once they paid the price difference. But for this operation, we would prosecute depending on the situation...If convicted, offenders could be jailed."  As for the MTR, the railway firm's chief of operating and metro segment, Cheris Lee, said ticket inspections have been stepped up this week. She noted that stiffer penalties for those who haven't paid the right fare will be introduced on June 25, with a HK$1,000 surcharge for passengers on MTR lines, and a HK$370 surcharge for those on light rail and MTR bus services.