Red minibuses 'to run as normal with diesel subsidy'

The Public Light Bus Owner and Driver Association said on Thursday that fuel subsidies set to be offered to commercial vehicles and vessels running on diesel will help alleviate their burden, particular red minibus drivers, amid a surge in fuel prices. The incomes of red minibus drivers are directly connected to the fares they charge. The drivers, association head Cheung Hon-wah said on an RTHK radio programme, were struggling to make a living as, on top of their vehicle rental fees, diesel accounted for half of their expenses. Diesel prices, he pointed out, have surged by more than HK$10 to reach almost HK$36 per litre over the past few months. “Red minibus drivers might slightly reduce the frequencies of their runs once they realise they have to pay more for fuel," Cheung said. "For instance, one to two of the 10 trips they make may be cut. "However, it is just not possible for them, as public transport providers, to do that because of a loss in earnings. We simply can’t do that.” But, Cheung said, the HK$3 subsidy for each litre of diesel along with halving tunnel fees for commercial vehicles for a two-month period will help cover part of the rise in fuel costs. The move, he added, will also slow the rate of fare increases by drivers, particularly those making cross-harbour runs, for now. The government has given approval for fare rises of between 3.2 and 14 percent on 108 green minibus routes. Cheung said the increments were acceptable as there had been a rise in various costs, including salary, maintenance and insurance fees. They usually seek a fare increase every two to four years, he added. Edited by Thomas McAlinden