Hong Kong’s MTR Corp proposes 9.4% Airport Express fare increase

Hong Kong rail giant the MTR Corporation has proposed raising the Airport Express fares for the first time in eight years, with an average increase of 9.4 per cent.

The company submitted its fare adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council on Tuesday, in which a single journey ticket for adults using an Octopus card will cost HK$120 (US$27) at most, up from the current HK$110.

“To ensure a sustainable income to meet rising operational costs and investment needed for renewing railway assets, there is a need to adjust the Airport Express fares to achieve break-even and maintain a high-quality service,” the paper said.

Under its proposal, a single journey ticket between Hong Kong station and the airport for adults using an Octopus card will cost HK$120, while the trip between Kowloon station and the airport will increase by HK$5 to HK$105.

An adult single journey ticket between Tsing Yi station and the airport will cost HK$73 by using an Octopus card, up from the current HK$65.

Without using an Octopus card, a single journey ticket between Hong Kong station and the airport will increase HK$15 to HK$130.

The fare between Kowloon station and the airport will reach HK$115, up from the current HK$105, while that between Tsing Yi and the airport will cost HK$80.