Following the recent fare hike for Hong Kong trams, the MTR Corporation, which operates our city’s Airport Express service, has submitted a proposal for raising its fare prices by 9.4 percent. This will be the first time in about eight years that the Airport Express has increased their prices.
MTR has stated that since its last fare adjustment in 2017, cumulative inflation has increased 13.8 percent, with operating costs and energy costs also significantly rising over the years. Meanwhile, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong and using these trains has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, only rebounding to about 70 percent of passenger numbers pre-2020.
The railway operator has requested for the price of a single-journey adult ticket from the Hong Kong Station terminus to the Airport station to be increased from the current $110 to a maximum of $120. Adult passengers swiping in with Octopus cards can expect to pay $5 to $10 more per journey, while children will pay an extra $2.50 to $5. The promotional same-day return fare to the AsiaWorld-Expo station will see an increase of between $8 to $10. Should this fare raise be approved, the new prices will be implemented in June 2025.
However, to sweeten the blow, MTR states that promotional discounts will be offered, such as maintaining group ticket prices at its current rate for six months, free MTR interchanges, and retaining current promotions such as free return trips on the same day to the Hong Kong International Airport. Children will be able to ride for free during the summer and Christmas holidays, and the Airport Express is also looking to increase collaborations with airlines and travel agencies to offer bundle discounts. The fare for airport staff using Octopus cards will remain unchanged. The MTR Corporation is also going to invest more than $2 billion over the next few years to upgrade the Airport Express facilities, including new platforms connecting to Terminal Two of the airport, newer ticket gates, and new trains.
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