I refer to Iain Dacre's letter letter headlined, 'Bikes banned' (South China Morning Post, April 29). Under the new ferry licences, bicycles are permitted on the Star Ferry's Central-Hunghom and Wan Chai-Hunghom services as well as on Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Company's (HYF's) North Point-Hunghom and North Point-Kowloon City services. Though the service between Tsim Sha Tsui and Lantau is an excursion service for passenger traffic, passengers wishing to carry freight or bicycles may use the Central-Mui Wo Service. The fare for the carriage of a bicycle from Central to Lantau is $12 on all days of the week, while the fare for passengers on ordinary class of ordinary ferries is $10 on weekdays and $15 on Sundays or public holidays. For the Central-Mui Wo service, there are 21 ordinary sailings on weekdays and 17 ordinary sailings on Sundays or public holidays on which bicycles are allowed. As regards the inter-islands ferry service, HYF is prepared to adjust the sailings from Cheung Chau to Chi Ma Wan in response to requests from island residents and Provisional District Board members. The revised timetable is now under consultation with the Islands Provisional District Board members. I hope Mr Dacre now has a clearer picture on the existing ferry services. In fact, bicycles are permitted on four cross-harbour services and six outlying islands services. Cyclists may take their bikes across the harbour and to the outlying islands. LUI YING for Commissioner for Transport
