Hundreds of ferry passengers yesterday complained of bedlam and bad service on the first day of sailings under new operators.
Operators beefed up evening services after confusion over the new arrangements caused a string of teething problems during the morning rush hour.
Complaints lodged with the new operators and aired to reporters and officials watching the launch of the services included gripes over: Insufficient signs warning passengers of changes in docking piers; Ferries not running on time; Toll gates not functioning properly; Passengers being forced to pay higher fares after cutbacks on ordinary ferry services and more seats put in Deluxe Class; and Less capacity on fast ferries, making many passengers late for work.
The majority of complaints were aimed at the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company, which continues to operate some outlying island routes and two inner-harbour routes.
Off-duty construction worker Steven Cannon was angry he could not board the 200-seat fast ferry from Mui Wo, Lantau, to Central despite arriving at the pier 15 minutes before sailing time.
'They don't have enough capacity on their ferries and I fear the situation is going to get worse during the next few days with all the holidaymakers about,' he said.