Transport alliance calls on Hong Kong government to regulate petrol prices, offer more subsidies to ease burden on drivers
- Hong Kong Land Transport Alliance says drivers are under pressure because of rising fuel prices and Covid-19 pandemic but cannot pass on soaring costs
- Group hopes government can provide more subsidies to prevent drivers from quitting and finding better-paying jobs
A land transport alliance representing tens of thousands of Hong Kong drivers has urged the government to regulate petrol prices and offer more subsidies to ease the burden of inflation on their livelihoods.
The Hong Kong Land Transport Alliance, consisting of more than a dozen transport groups, spoke on Wednesday on behalf of public bus, minibus, taxi, local and cross-border truck, school bus and container tractor drivers hit by the rising fuel costs and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The alliance said fuel costs accounted for 40 per cent of drivers’ overall operating expenses, and that the state of the economy, battered by the pandemic, meant they could not pass on the soaring costs to passengers or clients.
Liberal Party lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming, who represents the transport sector, said both freight and passenger transport were “heavily affected” as fuel was a necessity, adding that “the skyrocketing prices will be passed on to consumers through other products or fares at the end of the day”.
Hong Kong does not regulate petrol prices on a free market principle but pump prices are among the world’s highest due to surging land costs for building fuel stations, along with higher costs in imports, government tax, wages and marketing.
