​The Transport Department (TD) said today (June 30) that following the disbursement of over $1.8 billion of subsidies to the transport trades under the two rounds of the Anti-epidemic Fund, the fuel subsidy for public light buses and taxis under the first round of the Fund will be provided starting tomorrow (July 1).
For a 12-month period between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, the Government will offer a subsidy of $1 per litre of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for public light buses and taxis, and reimburse one-third of the actual fuel costs for diesel public light buses and petrol taxis. It is expected that about 160 green minibus operators as well as some 60 000 taxi and red minibus drivers can benefit from the fuel subsidy.
Having regard that the vast majority of taxi and red minibus drivers are rental car drivers who need to refuel at the LPG stations at their own expense, in order to relieve the economic pressure of these frontline drivers in a simple and direct manner, oil companies will provide drivers with instant discounts of $1 per litre at LPG stations, with no registration or application needed. The Government will reimburse oil companies for the actual amount of LPG subsidies offered to each taxi and public light bus driver.
As for petrol taxis and diesel public light buses, due to the relatively smaller number of drivers and operators, and considering that gasoline and diesel may stand a higher chance to be transferred than LPG, drivers/operators should apply for the one-third actual fuel costs reimbursement from the Government by using refilling receipts or monthly statements of fleet cards. Upon completion of the vetting process, reimbursement will be made by autopay, and applicants will be notified in writing. Application details are available at the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).
All oil companies will make appropriate arrangements at each filling station. Posters will be displayed and publicity leaflets will be distributed at the filling stations for drivers' information.
For details on the subsidies for transport trades under the Fund, please visit the TD's website.
Follow this news feed: East Asia