I too am delighted that you have reached 60 and feel well enough to get out on the bus and to start writing again. I have always found your articles informed and interesting so please continue to circulate your observations when you can.
One problem with most mass transit systems is that they need the vehicles and the staff to cater for the rush hours at either end of the day whilst utilization at other times is low. Presumably the theory behind the Joy Ride scheme is that us older citizens will tend to travel at off peak times and the marginal cost of our using the transport system during these periods is minimal. How HK Government calculate their contribution to the MTR and the bus and ferry companies might reflect this.
My own beef with the system is the multitude of persons who have clearly not reached 60 but who are using Joy You cards on the MTR. The loud beep and flashing lights at the exit gates make them easy to detect but I have never seen anyone stopping them. If the cost of their travel is also borne by the HK Government then MTR needs to be incentivized to weed out the people abusing the system.
1. The scheme runs all day, including rush hours. A surprising number of people are still in work at 60 and can now commute for almost no money (say $4 per day, $80 per month). That's another good reason to charge full fare to everyone during rush hours. Operators have to maintain larger fleets to service peak demand than they would otherwise.
2. The Government pays the full difference between $2 and the actual fare. If there's an off-peak fare discount for everyone, then it's the difference between $2 and that fare.
Government misspending HK$5bn per year? This post is strangely a joy to read. Seeing you out for a ride with a smile, rightfully taking the priority seat. Posting an articulated piece holding the government accountable as always. What a way to live!
Love your work but interested in this take. Over 45% of the elderly (above 65) in Hong Kong live in poverty, and with an overall expected increase in the aging population, the JoyYou scheme is a way to cater to this group. Considering the circumstances, the scheme seems more a way to ensure that this group is able to still enjoy the benefits of Hong Kong’s public transport system. It gives them mobility and access. Social welfare never seems like a waste of tax money if it’s keeping citizens happy.
JoyYou . You is not English. 悠然自得。 If keeping all the money taxed or otherwise the government stumbled upon were good governance or financial management, I can't argue with you. The active aged saves a lot of public health cost.
How do you advise the CE reduces these subsidies without great fuss and without adding administrative cost? My guess is to make small, simple changes every year for example:
1) Increasing the minimum amount the people pay per ride from $2. Say an increase of $0.5 every six months with it reaching $5 after 3 years.
2) Capping the subsidy at say $15 per ride and then reducing the cap by $1 a year unil it reaches $10.
3) Gradually raising the age limit at which one qualifies for the subsidy.
Another option is to increase the Old Age Living Allowance paid by SWD at the same time as the Transport Subsidy is cut. This would enable the Transport Subsidy to be cut more rapidly.
Happy Birthday Mr. Webb, your decades of public service is well appreciated
Perhaps the HK gov should pitch this as a part of our wealth management appeal - Where else can, Mr. & Mrs. UHWI, get a taste of $2 joy rides funded by the state & $1 HKD star ferry rides funded by American Express. What better proof that there's no Eat the Rich here ?
Lovely to see you out and about, continuing to inform us of all the shady stuff going on!
Just joined, thanks to our fantastic hero of HK, Mr David Webb!
Hi Mr Webb, love to see you here! Add oil! 💪🏼
Dear David,
I too am delighted that you have reached 60 and feel well enough to get out on the bus and to start writing again. I have always found your articles informed and interesting so please continue to circulate your observations when you can.
One problem with most mass transit systems is that they need the vehicles and the staff to cater for the rush hours at either end of the day whilst utilization at other times is low. Presumably the theory behind the Joy Ride scheme is that us older citizens will tend to travel at off peak times and the marginal cost of our using the transport system during these periods is minimal. How HK Government calculate their contribution to the MTR and the bus and ferry companies might reflect this.
My own beef with the system is the multitude of persons who have clearly not reached 60 but who are using Joy You cards on the MTR. The loud beep and flashing lights at the exit gates make them easy to detect but I have never seen anyone stopping them. If the cost of their travel is also borne by the HK Government then MTR needs to be incentivized to weed out the people abusing the system.
1. The scheme runs all day, including rush hours. A surprising number of people are still in work at 60 and can now commute for almost no money (say $4 per day, $80 per month). That's another good reason to charge full fare to everyone during rush hours. Operators have to maintain larger fleets to service peak demand than they would otherwise.
2. The Government pays the full difference between $2 and the actual fare. If there's an off-peak fare discount for everyone, then it's the difference between $2 and that fare.
Happy 60!
And you are able to explore and experience this craziest government spending now!
Government misspending HK$5bn per year? This post is strangely a joy to read. Seeing you out for a ride with a smile, rightfully taking the priority seat. Posting an articulated piece holding the government accountable as always. What a way to live!
Hi Mr.Webb,
Love your work but interested in this take. Over 45% of the elderly (above 65) in Hong Kong live in poverty, and with an overall expected increase in the aging population, the JoyYou scheme is a way to cater to this group. Considering the circumstances, the scheme seems more a way to ensure that this group is able to still enjoy the benefits of Hong Kong’s public transport system. It gives them mobility and access. Social welfare never seems like a waste of tax money if it’s keeping citizens happy.
JoyYou . You is not English. 悠然自得。 If keeping all the money taxed or otherwise the government stumbled upon were good governance or financial management, I can't argue with you. The active aged saves a lot of public health cost.
Thank you for this and many other articles you contribute.
So great to see this photo and read your first thoughts on achieving this long-awaited milestone. Amusing as always.
Good one as usual sir.
Well said David.
How do you advise the CE reduces these subsidies without great fuss and without adding administrative cost? My guess is to make small, simple changes every year for example:
1) Increasing the minimum amount the people pay per ride from $2. Say an increase of $0.5 every six months with it reaching $5 after 3 years.
2) Capping the subsidy at say $15 per ride and then reducing the cap by $1 a year unil it reaches $10.
3) Gradually raising the age limit at which one qualifies for the subsidy.
Another option is to increase the Old Age Living Allowance paid by SWD at the same time as the Transport Subsidy is cut. This would enable the Transport Subsidy to be cut more rapidly.
Glad to see you adventuring the ride, and love your analysis always.
Happy Birthday Mr. Webb, your decades of public service is well appreciated
Perhaps the HK gov should pitch this as a part of our wealth management appeal - Where else can, Mr. & Mrs. UHWI, get a taste of $2 joy rides funded by the state & $1 HKD star ferry rides funded by American Express. What better proof that there's no Eat the Rich here ?
I agree, UK is free, that’s unaffordable and for HK it should be higher or at least means tested. Not prudent finances
Happy Birthday Mr. Webb!
Always love your writing. Accurate, brief, clear, direct, enjoyable and funny! ABCDEF!