Planned Star Ferry fare hike must consider public acceptance and importance of icon, transport advisor to gov’t says
Plans to hike fares for Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry must take into account its status as an “important asset” as well as the public’s capacity to bear the higher costs, a transport advisor to the government has said. The advisor’s comments came amid the ferry operator’s application to increase fees by 30 per cent, […]
The government's transport advisor has advised that any planned fare hikes for Hong Kong's renowned Star Ferry must consider public acceptance and the iconic ferry's significance, alongside the operator's financial obligations. Last month, the ferry operator applied for a 30% fare increase, sparking public discussion. In response, Transport Advisory Committee chair Wong Sze-chun said that the Star Ferry, a vital asset to Hong Kong, must continue to serve its passengers, even as the committee weighs public opinion on fare hikes.
Wong and his colleagues weighed the needs of the ferry company against public sentiment during a recent meeting. The Star Ferry operates two cross-harbour routes - between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai, and Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. Under the proposed hike, adult single weekday fares would rise from HK$5 to HK$6.50, while weekend and public holiday fares would increase from HK$6.50 to HK$8.50.
The 138-year-old company cited the cost of replacing its vessel engines, estimated at over HK$10 million per ship, along with rising maintenance, staff, fuel, and interest costs as reasons for the fare increase.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
