By The SUN
 |
| The iconic Star Ferry is the cheapest public transport in HK |
Star Ferry fares on the Central-Tsim Sha Tsui and Wanchai-TST services will increase $0.30 to $0.50 starting Feb 9 next year as the ferry operator tries to recoup losses due to the drop in revenue and rise in operating costs, the government said on Tuesday, Dec 8.
The new adult fares Monday to Friday on the Central-TST route will rise from $2.70 to $3.20 on the upper deck and $2.20 to $2.60 on the lower deck.
On Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, the adult fare will rise from $3.70 to $4.20 on the upper deck and from $3.10 to $3.60 on the lower deck.
 |
| Pindutin para sa detalye |
Fares for children 3-12 years old and persons with disabilities will increase from $1.60 to be $1.90 on the upper deck and from $1.50 to $1.80 on the lower deck on weekdays.
The fares will rise from $2.20 to $2.50 for the upper deck and from $2.10 to $2.40 on the lower deck on weekends and public holidays.
Adult fares on the Wanchai-TST route will rise from $2.70 to $3.20 Monday to Friday and from $3.70 to $4.20 on weekends and public holidays.
 |
| Call now! |
For children and PWDs, fares will increase from $1.60 to $1.90 weekdays and from $2.20 to $2.50 on weekends and public holidays.
Children under 3 years old and passengers above 65 years old will still be free.
The monthly ticket on both the Central-TST and Wanchai-TST routes will rise to $160 from $135 and the tourist ticket will go up to $32 from $27.50.
Bicycle fares on the Wanchai-TST route will rise from $14 to
$16.
 |
| Some of the ferries in the fleet are now painted different colours |
The fare increase was approved Tuesday by the Chief
Executive in Council, the government said in a press release. The approval came
more than 18 months after Star Ferry Company Ltd applied for fare hikes in
April last year.
The government said it had taken into account all factors, including the financial position of Star Ferry; forecasts of changes in operating costs, revenue and return, as well as past performance of the operator in providing ferry services.
Public acceptability of the proposed fares and measures implemented by the ferry operator to save costs and generate additional revenue were considered by the government before approving the new fares, a spokesman said.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
“Star Ferry has suffered losses since 2018. As Star Ferry is a transport mode much preferred by visitors, in the fallout of public order events and the Covid-19 pandemic, its patronage and, thus, fare box revenue dropped significantly in 2019 and 2020, and would unlikely return to the previous level in the short to medium run,” he said.
Since the last fare increase in July 2017, Star Ferry’s operating costs have been on a continuous rise, he said.
In view of the uncertain economic situation, the company’s non-farebox revenue (including rental and advertising income) could not be guaranteed. Therefore, there is a need for Star Ferry to adjust its fare, the spokesman said.
 |
| Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love |
The amendment will be tabled at the Legislative Council on Dec 16 for approval. Upon completion of the procedures, the new fares will take effect from Feb 9, 2021.
The government consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Transport on Dec 20,
2019, and the Transport Advisory Committee on Jan 21, 2020, on Star Ferry’s
application for fare increases.
 | ||
PADALA NA!
|
