My Take | Star Ferry is struggling and it deserves to be thrown a lifeline
- The little boats are a vital part of the collective memory of Hong Kong. A way must be found to ensure they continue to sail
Before the pandemic, when tourists flocked to Hong Kong, I had a tip for visiting friends and relatives. Wait until dusk on your first day and take a trip across the harbour on the Star Ferry. It is one of the best things to do.
A travel guide I read before first arriving in the city in 1994 offered the same advice. The 10-minute trip may not be the most comfortable and the sea air is not the cleanest. But the sights and sounds are memorable, especially the view of Hong Kong’s spectacular skyline.
Sadly, after 124 years, the Star Ferry Company faces a financial crisis and concerns about its future. The ferry is not just a tourist attraction. It provides cheap and convenient cross-harbour transport for locals, too. That might be about to change.
The government is considering a request by the company for a doubling of its fares. This follows a 16.5 per cent increase last year. Officials accept the need for a rise, but 100 per cent is “way too much”, one told the Legislative Council last week.
Star ferries have seen a dramatic drop in passengers during the pandemic. The tourists the company relies on have stayed away amid tight Covid-19 restrictions. In the past, commuters would cram into the boats. But locals now have other ways to cross the harbour.
There were 9.57 million Star Ferry passengers last year, a 46 per cent drop from 2019. This is worrying. Before the pandemic, fares contributed more than half the company’s revenue. The plunge in patrons has left it heavily in debt. The company made a HK$37 million (US$4.74 million) loss last year and owes banks more than HK$72 million. The call for a doubling of its fares is not just an attempt to balance the books. It is a cry for help.