HONG KONG: The notion of paying more money for anything these days has scant appeal for many middle class and working class families. Proposed higher tariffs for electricity and for bus fares, as the price for cleaner air, have little resonance among families scraping to get through tough times.

Guo Huannei is a 48-year-old single mother who lives with her two daughters aged eight and nine. Their home is a rental apartment of around 180 square feet. She said the green tariffs are likely to make things even tougher for her and her kids.

The mom is a clothing worker who earns less than HK$2,000 a month, with low income assistance from the government for rent and for her kids' education. She said her electric bill already costs her over HK$500 in summer and HK$300 in winter. "We will not use the air-conditioner so often despite the serious heat if electricity costs me more," she said. "If fares rise, perhaps we may walk more rather than taking buses in some short trips."

Middle class families shared the view that an increase in tariffs and fares will add to the family burden.

Priscilla Kwok Ka-yin, assistant manager of an international trading company, welcomes neither of the two propositions from the government.

Thanks to the global economic downturn, Kwok's seen business at the company where she works moving rapidly downhill.

"Our business is vulnerable to the state of the economies of Western countries, where our target customers are located. When they suffer, we follow suit," she said.

"(The) Bus has always been a cheaper means of transportation. Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is expensive enough. The increase in bus fares will make taking buses as expensive as traveling on MTR," Kwok said.

She added that her burden will be even heavier if the electric tariff goes up. She said her bill is about HK$1,000 a month during summer.

(HK Edition 07/24/2009 page1)