 |
| View of Central from inside a Star Ferry |
From April 3 this year, the two Star Ferry routes will increase their fares from between $1 to $2.30 per trip under a plan approved by the Executive Council today, Jan. 31.
Elderly passengers who used to get free rides on both routes, will be charged the concessionary fare of $2 each trip. Monthly tickets will cost $190 each from the previous $160, while tourist tickets will cost $50 instead of the current $32.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
With the increase, the adult weekday fares on the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui route will be $5 for the upper deck and $4 on the lower deck.
During the weekends or public holidays, the fares will be $6.50 for the upper deck and $5.60 on the lower deck.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Children aged between 3 and 12 and passengers with disability will have to pay $2.90 and $2.80 for the upper and lower decks respectively on weekdays, and $3.90 and $3.80 on weekends and holidays.
For the Wanchai to Tsim Sha Tsui route, where there are no upper and lower deck prices, the higher fares will apply for both the weekday and weekend trips.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
The fare increase overall will amount to 55.2 percent on average, which is about half of what the Star Ferry Company had asked for, citing financial hardship over the past few years, especially amid the pandemic.
 |
| BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW! PRESS FOR DETAILS |
Having considered various factors, including the financial position of Star Ferry and forecasts of changes in operating costs, the government decided to allow a fare increase, but said the rate of increase “should be moderated to cater for the need of passengers”
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
“After the fare increases, Star Ferry is still the most affordable means of cross-harbour public transport, with fares about 30 per cent to 50 per cent lower than MTR or franchised bus fares,” said the government statement.
