UNITED Democrats legislators warned yesterday that they would block any fare increases by the Hong Kong Ferry Company if it refused to lower the price of a proposed Central-Tuen Mun catamaran service.
After meeting Assistant Commissioner for Transport Richard Meakin, United Democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan said the proposed fare of $25 per trip was unreasonable.
Mr Ho said the fare for the hovercraft service was just $15 and Tuen Mun residents would find it hard to afford the increase.
He said residents might be bearing the cost of two new catamarans as the service was inadequate for the growing new town and the current vessels were on average 11 years old and should be replaced.
The United Democrats say a new fare of $16.50 per trip would be reasonable.
But Mr Meakin said the proposed fare of $25 was justifiable financially because the increase would cover the purchase of the two $60 million vessels.