Octopus Rehabilitation Transportation Subsidy Scheme
Broadens the Life of Low-Income Wheelchair Users

 Octopus Cards Limited and the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation jointly launch the ‟Octopus Rehabilitation Transportation Subsidy Scheme” (ORTSS) to provide low-income wheelchair users with point-to-point accessible transportation services, to meet their needs of outings for hospital appointments and participation in social activities which enrich and fulfil their life.

Chan Jone-chi suffers from Polio and has been using wheelchairs since he was small. Apart from going to work in Lam Tin by Rehabus, he spends most of his time in Tseung Kwan O because he lives there. He usually takes MTR so that he can have better control over transportation time. However, the service disruption of the lifts in MTR stations sometimes distorts his plans and makes him worried. He seldom travels by bus because he is using an electric wheelchair which weather affects a lot.

Jone-chi has joined ORTSS for two years and agrees that the scheme helps him to broaden his life: He only stayed in Tseung Kwan O in the past, but now he can take Accessible Hire Car (AHC) to different parts of Hong Kong with his family through the subsidy scheme, no matter Kwun Tong, Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay. In mid-2017, Jone-chi even went to Ocean Park with his family. He recalled that his mother once cradled him to Ocean Park when he was three, yet the memory is vague. He never thought of going to Ocean Park again, however, hinges on the cheap and convenient way of booking AHC through ORTSS, he is now able to travel around with his family and have a good time with them.

ORTSS organises activities for members and their caregivers, to raise public awareness regarding the physical and mental wellness needs of wheelchair users and their caregivers. In mid-September, the scheme organised Mid-Autumn Festival celebration which wheelchair users and caregivers can join Laughter Yoga and make pottery decorations of mooncake. Besides, RTHK invited members of the scheme to attend an interview to share their experience of using ORTSS to book AHC and join volunteer activities or explore their interests.  Click here to review the programme.

The donation of HK$7.3 million from the Octopus Charity Fund subsidising the scheme aims to provide low-income wheelchair users with point-to-point accessible transportation services, to meet their needs of outings for hospital appointments and participation in social activities, to facilitate their integration into the community, in turn helping to build a caring and inclusive society.

For enquiries and the designated booking hotline, please call 8106 8098. For more information of the scheme, please visit here.