Passengers who signed petitions calling on the Government to revoke the franchise of the Hong Kong Ferry Company must be wondering why they wasted the ink.
When the company lost its franchise in July, in response to a litany of complaints about the quality of service and the shoddy state of the boats, commuters were optimistic a new operator would step forward.
But transport innovation, it is now apparent, will be confined to the roads. The satisfaction felt by commuters when the First Bus company replaced the highly unpopular China Motor Bus, is denied to outlying island dwellers. In spite of six contenders vying to take over the outlying islands services, the Transport Department has decided that experience wins the day.
The package offered by HKF's subsidiary, the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company, was evidently sufficient to convince it that the company should get back the two most profitable routes. All that has been sacrificed is the smaller Lamma service. But the company may not find it so easy to win back customer confidence.
Earlier in the year when it proposed to replace the Mui Wo ferries with hydrofoils and catamarans, Lantau residents complained that fares would more than double the present $9.70, and they would no longer be able to take cargo on board. They are not likely to be placated by assurances that tickets to Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Mui Wo will be reduced from $24 to $21 in two years' time.
Unless services improve markedly and offer value for money, more people are likely to opt for the overland alternative, at greater cost to the environment. Already some choose to use new road routes on buses. That means increased traffic on Lantau's byways, and more exhaust fumes polluting the atmosphere. HKF will have to transform itself quickly if it does not wish to lose out to the roads.
