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OpinionLetters

Letters | A new Hong Kong tram line could revive Star Ferry’s fortunes

  • Readers discuss a possible solution to the ferry operator’s woes, and how the city can better preserve its dai pai dong culture

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A Star Ferry sails across Victoria Harbour in July. The ferry operator wants to double fares on two routes across Victoria Harbour in the wake of a fall in passenger numbers and income. Photo: Nora Tam
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I refer to the letter, “Fares rise alone will not help Star Ferry” (December 7). Yes, the Star Ferry needs help. The doubling or even trebling of fares should not be resisted. The current low-fare structure is the fault of the transport authorities who have resisted necessary and reasonable fare increases over several decades, perhaps because of oversensitivity to the so-called Star Ferry riots of 1966.
The government has also similarly diluted the public bus companies’ justified requests for fare increases over the same period. The transport authorities, and so many naive Hong Kong politicians, appear to overlook the fact that public transport fares in the city are relatively low but the operators’ expenses, such as the cost of purchasing buses or ferries and then the price of fuel and spare parts, are no lower than in other major cities.
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But how do we now fix the Star Ferry’s woes? We need some serious thinking outside the box. Disregarding the current lack of tourists, the Star Ferry’s traditional local passenger base was eroded when the government unwisely relocated the ferry terminals to reclaimed land nearly half a mile from the heart of the central business district. This is a long and inconvenient walk for some and the added discomfort during our hot humid summers is enough to turn many off.

The solution would be to lay a new tram line down the waterfront road. This could be a back-and-forth shuttle line along Man Kwong and Man Yiu streets with terminals near Pier 2 and on Pedder Street.

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Get rid of the private cars and taxis stopping on Pedder Street and this is all easily feasible. If the government cares to remember, there was discussion of a tram line along this stretch of the waterfront. It would also enhance the tourist experience.

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