THE Democratic Party said last night it had at least 28 votes - two short of a majority - for its proposal to reject the Hong Kong Ferry fare rise at today's Legislative Council meeting.
Party member Zachary Wong Wai-ying said they were lobbying other independent legislators to vote against the 13.9 per cent increase.
He said all 19 Democrats would reject the rise, as would the four members of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood and independents Lee Cheuk-yan, Leung Yiu-chung, Yum Sin-ling, Lee Kai-ming and Emily Lau Wai-hing.
The Democrats said the ferry company did not deserve a rise because services were unsatisfactory.
They said the company's Central pier development project would generate profits of up to $1 billion, which could be used to cover losses and improve services.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong has offered a counter-proposal to cut the rise to 12.3 per cent, which will not be discussed if a majority of legislators veto an increase.
