Victoria Harbour circular ferry service ready by September 2019, Hong Kong government says in response to calls for ‘water taxi’
Boats will stop at Kai Tak, Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Central and West Kowloon, but critics say the service is more like a tour bus than a taxi
A much anticipated “water taxi” planned for Victoria Harbour turns out to be just another ferry service.
The Transport Department revealed on Monday it came up with a circular ferry route to respond to public demand.
The service, including at least five stops, is expected to begin operating from September next year. Although the department said the initiative was in response to the public’s wish for a water taxi service, critics say it is more akin to a tour bus, where passengers can hop on and off at designated stops.
The department on Monday also revealed the return of a ferry service between Central and Hung Hom expected to operate from February next year, according to a tendering document inviting interested bidders. The service route closed down in 2011 due to a lack of passengers.
The circular route, dubbed the “water taxi” service by the government, will stop at Kai Tak, Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Central and West Kowloon.