Hundreds of ferry workers and transport department officials are working to ensure a smooth transition of ferry services at midnight tonight.
Operator Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry, which retained the rights to only two cross-harbour routes in a tender last December, said extra staff would be on hand to help passengers at the piers.
General manager David Ho Chi-shing said: 'During today and tomorrow our staff will accompany officials from the relevant government departments to check on the piers.' All outlying island services, except those serving Lamma Island, and the North Point-Hunghom and North Point-Kowloon City ferry routes will continue to be operated by HYF.
Mr Ho promised an improved HYF service with a new corporate identity and training programmes for its 500-strong staff. 'While most of our staff have been loyal and have good technical skills, they may have a tendency to take passengers for granted, which is the last thing we should do,' he said.
The Transport Department said last night it would activate a special Operation Co-ordinating Centre at its Wan Chai headquarters from 6pm today to oversee transition arrangements.
Lamma's Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan services will be operated by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Company and the Central-Tsim Sha Tsui East route will be operated by Discovery Bay Transportation Services.
