Bus company KMB has applied to put fares up by 6.5 percent while Citybus is seeking increases of nearly 10 percent, sources have told RTHK. The firms' ticket prices last rose in June last year, by four to five percent. KMB said on Wednesday that it's facing a number of issues such as fewer passengers, a rise in operating costs and unstable fuel prices. It said it raised staff wages by 3.5 percent this year and 4.2 percent last year. Citybus also pointed to wages increases over the past three years, saying this contributed to a rise in operating costs. A spokesman for the company said the application for fare increases was made in January, without disclosing how much it is seeking. "This fare increase application is still pending for approval, meaning that our fares have remained at the same level for over a year unlike other key transportation operators such as the railway, minibuses, taxi and ferry companies," the spokesman said. The company cited a poor economy as one reason passenger numbers have not recovered to pre-Covid levels. The Transport Department said officials are vetting the applications, adding that advisers and lawmakers will be consulted on the matter in due course. In past years, approved increases have often been lower than the levels requested by bus firms.
