Hong Kong’s Star Ferry pledges greener service but same cheap fares as it plans HK$56 million upgrades
Operator seeks to extend its franchise for another 15 years after more than a century running iconic vessels across Victoria Harbour
The operator of Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry has pledged to keep fares affordable but splash out HK$56 million (US$7.16 million) to upgrade its fleet with a greener emission system, as the 120-year-old company seeks to extend its franchise for another 15 years.
The proposals were discussed at a meeting of the Hong Kong legislature’s transport panel on Friday ahead of the expiration on March 31 of the company’s current franchise agreement, which allows it to run eight ferries on two routes across Victoria Harbour.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said authorities could extend the franchise for a maximum of 15 years if they were satisfied the operator was capable of maintaining a proper and efficient service and it was in the best interests of the public to continue the arrangement.
He said government negotiations with the company had concluded with the firm making a series of promises to better its service.
Some 53,000 passenger trips were made daily on the Star Ferry between 2008 and 2016, which helped the operator reap an average annual profit of about HK$4 million, with a profit margin of 4.1 per cent.
The company runs two routes across the harbour dividing Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui.