Thousands of South Lantau and Tung Chung commuters will likely qualify for the new government public transport subsidy.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced yesterday the government would subsidise long-distance commuters by up to $300 a month.

Commuters who spend above the $400 threshold in month will receive a subsidy of 25% for further costs.

Most South Lantau ferry commuters spend that in just over a week.  A passenger taking the fast ferry between Mui Wo and Central Monday to Friday spends $313 a week, or around $1250 monthly.

Commuters travelling via MTR from Tung Chung to most points in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island will also be eligible. An adult taking the MTR five times a week from Tung Chung to Central will pay $224 using Octopus, or approximately $900 a month.

The scheme will cover the fares of MTR, buses, green minibuses, ferries and trams. The government predicts that approximately two million Hong Kong people will qualify for the subsidy.

Lam said she expects the scheme to begin in about a year after Legco provides funding.