Hongkongers to feel the pinch as prices of basic necessities set to rise in new year

Passengers will have to pay more for commutes on Citybus and New World First Bus, while rebate scheme for each ride on the MTR paid by Octopus is set to end in June

Residents will also face higher electricity bills starting Saturday, while McDonald’s will raise prices by HK$1 for its major offerings including à la carte items and set meals

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Beginning on Sunday, Citybus and New World First Bus will charge 3.2 per cent more for rides. Photo: Fung Chang

Published: 6:07pm, 1 Jan 2022Updated: 8:45pm, 1 Jan 2022

From transport to food to keeping the lights on, upwards pressure on prices for basic necessities is set to squeeze the pockets of Hongkongers in the new year.

Beginning on Sunday, Citybus and New World First Bus will charge 3.2 per cent more for rides under the final phase of a fare adjustment totalling almost 12 per cent, which the government approved last year.

Going from Sheung Shui to Causeway Bay, for example, will cost an extra 10 cents, for a total of HK$25.20, while taking route 101R from Happy Valley Racecourse to Kwun Tong will be HK$16.30 after an 80 cent increase.

People wait for the train at Kowloon Tong MTR station. MTR passengers are given a small rebate for each ride paid by Octopus but that is scheduled to come to an end in June unless an extension is provided. Photo: Sam Tsang

Tickets for trams running along Hong Kong Island are set to rise by 11.5 per cent to HK$2.90 if the struggling operator wins approval for the increase from the Transport Department.

From Saturday, people are getting back less money under the government’s public transport subsidy programme operated in conjunction with stored-value Octopus cards.

Under the programme, the government refunds a third of the amount a commuter spends after reaching a certain level. Previously the threshold was HK$200, but the level has now been set at HK$400. But the maximum subsidy remains at HK$500, up from HK$400 previously.

Under a separate scheme, MTR passengers are also given a small rebate for each ride paid by Octopus but that is scheduled to come to an end in June unless an extension is provided.

Residents also face higher electricity bills starting Saturday. HK Electric has increased its net tariff charge by 7 per cent, while CLP Power has implemented a 5.8 per cent price rise. Both firms are feeling the effects of global wholesale fuel price volatility.