Hong Kong bus operators seek fare increases of up to 17.7% as fuel costs rise
Four franchised operators have asked the government to raise fares. Officials say they will weigh the operators’ finances against what passengers can afford.
Hong Kong’s four franchised bus operators applied to the government on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for fare increases of 8.1% to 17.7%, citing higher fuel costs linked to the Middle East war. The requests could affect a bus network carrying more than 3.7 million passenger journeys a day, but no increase has been approved.
How much each Hong Kong bus operator wants to raise fares
Citybus sought the largest rise, 17.7%, followed by Kowloon Motor Bus at 16%. New Lantao Bus requested 9.8%, and Long Win Bus requested 8.1%. The Transport and Logistics Bureau put the applications before the Legislative Council in a paper on October 14.
Figures supplied by the operators for that paper showed fuel costs rose by about 75% to 134% in March compared with January, while their fuel expenditure increased by 85% to 132%. Those comparisons describe an earlier period, rather than fuel prices at the time of the applications. Hong Kong Free Press reported that a government diesel subsidy of HK$3 per litre ended on June 29 after running for two months.
What the government will consider before deciding
The operators recorded profits ranging from HK$7.92 million to HK$369 million in 2025, according to the government paper cited by CNA. Hong Kong Free Press reported that their after-tax profits fell by 20% to 30% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter a year earlier. CNA separately reported that the operators projected substantial profit declines for the first half of 2026.
Passenger journeys averaged more than 3.7 million a day in 2024 and 2025, below the roughly 3.92 million daily average from 2010 to 2019, the government paper said. Hong Kong Free Press put the 2023 average at about 3.67 million, showing a slight recovery in ridership before the latest applications.
The transport bureau said it would weigh the operators’ financial sustainability and service quality against public acceptability, affordability and the effect on passengers. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the government would examine operating conditions, costs and revenue forecasts while acting as a gatekeeper. The bureau can reduce a proposed increase or reject an application it considers excessive, CNA reported. Legislative Council transport panel chair Ben Chan urged a balance between operator viability and affordable fares, and suggested operators seek more revenue beyond fares, according to Hong Kong Free Press.
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Sources and context
- Hong Kong bus operators seek fare increases, citing increased fuel prices due to Middle East warCNA
- HK bus operators seek fare hikes of up to 17.7% amid Middle East warHong Kong Free Press
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.