Financial
Sustainability

Managing Financial Sustainability

The heavy rail transportation business is long-term and capital-intensive. Our assets require regular and substantial expenditures for operations, maintenance, replacements and upgrades. We always strive to act according to be prudent commercial principles to ensure the Corporation is financially sustainable over the long haul that enables us to continue providing smooth, safe and reliable services for our passengers.

From the economic value generated through our transport, property and other businesses, we can contribute to our wide range of stakeholders including suppliers, employees, shareholders, the Government and the community at large.

Our Value Added and Distribution Statement can be found in our Sustainability Report.

Fare Adjustment Mechanism

Fare revenue is one of the major sources of income for MTR. The Fare Adjustment Mechanism (“FAM”) is based on economic data released by the HKSAR Government (“the Government”) to ensure fair, objective and transparent fare adjustments over time. It also considers the public’s affordability with the inclusion of the “Affordability-linked” arrangement.

Pursuant to the Operating Agreement with the Government, the FAM is to be reviewed every five years.

Rail plus Property Model

Since the opening of MTR's first railway line in 1979, our “Rail plus Property” model has brought significant benefits in optimising the integration between our property development and railway expansion. The resources that our property development bring in are in turn used to support railway operations and help bridge the funding gap when building new railway lines.

The “Rail plus Property” model enables MTR to bring positive impacts on the communities we serve, integrating development with transit hubs to create seamless connectivity and build vibrant communities in Hong Kong. The model also contributes to lower public spending by minimising spending on railway infrastructure and promoting more efficient land use.

Our heavy rail network, which covers all 18 districts in Hong Kong, improves accessibility and enhances development opportunities for many locations. The Rail plus Property video provides a more detailed account of the model.