The Transport Department announced today (5th) that the New Territories franchise minibus operator who overcharged passengers earlier will arrange refunds for affected passengers through different channels from today onwards. The department will also closely monitor the refund arrangements. It is reported that the No. 501A, 501C, 501K, and 501S lines operated by Fu Ming Limited have charged passengers higher fares than the department's approved effective fares between May 19 and July 26 this year, with the difference ranging between 0.3 yuan and 1 yuan per trip.

Passengers who used Octopus payment and were affected can use the Octopus mobile app or go to any of the 51 Octopus service stations in Hong Kong to return the excess fares to the same Octopus card by April 30, 2025. The minibus operator will also send staff to Fanling Luen Wo Hui and Man Street Public Minibus Terminus during designated times to assist affected passengers in processing refunds. Passengers who used Alipay and AlipayHK for payment have already received their excess fares back to their relevant accounts this morning.

As for affected passengers who paid by cash, they can provide their name and contact information to the minibus operator staff at the Man Street Public Minibus Terminus during a specified time period before September 4 this year and get a cash refund on the spot for their excess fares.

The Transport Department also stated that passengers who benefit from the Government's Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities are not affected by the overcharging incident and do not need to apply for refunds. The Hong Kong government will also reclaim the subsidy paid to the minibus operator under the scheme for the excess fares.