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, […]
A government transport advisor has warned that Hong Kong's historic Star Ferry fare increase must consider both the public's willingness to pay higher prices and the ferry's iconic status. The Star Ferry operator is seeking a 30% fare hike, which was announced last month. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Transport Advisory Committee chair Wong Sze-chun stated that the committee would weigh the needs of the ferry company against public acceptance and affordability.
He emphasized that the Star Ferry is a vital asset to Hong Kong and its service must be maintained. The proposed hike would see adult single weekday fares increase from HK$5 to HK$6.50, while weekend and public holiday fares would rise from HK$6.50 to HK$8.50. The 138-year-old company cited the cost of replacing vessel engines, maintenance, rising staff wages, fuel costs, interest payments, and losses over the past five years 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.
