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Ferry fares to Lamma Island and Cheung Chau are about to feel a bit heavier in the pocket starting April 1, as single-journey fares on six key routes are set to climb 12.5 percent. This price bump comes as the Transport Department locks in new five-year operating licences for Sun Ferry and Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry.
The department describes the increase as the most moderate and minimal they could manage after operators initially pushed for a 20- to 30-percent hike to offset shrinking passenger numbers, surging staff and fuel costs, and heavy losses that could reach up to 35 to nearly 50 percent without government aid.
For most core routes like Central to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma, the weekday adult single fare will likely jump to around $24.90. Cheung Chau follows the same pattern, landing at around $32.90 on weekdays and $47.60 on Sundays and holidays. Multi-ride tickets, monthly passes, and most concessions get hit with a milder eight-percent bump, with some extra perks thrown in like extended validity on certain multi-trip options. Meanwhile, the government proposed that the Mui Wo and Peng Chau services switch to fast-ferry only with unified pricing, getting rid of the regular ferries altogether.
These changes come at the same time as the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme revamp, which will swap out the flat rate of $2 for elderly passengers. Instead, trips with a normal full fare of $10 or less will stay at $2, while anything over $10 gets an 80-percent discount. This means that many older island residents will feel both adjustments at once – and the Islands District councillors aren’t happy. They argue the double hit could discourage seniors from travelling, hurt local businesses, and leave residents with few options for daily needs.
However, the Transport Department insists they’ve struck a fair balance, and that if they squeezed prices any lower, the operators could face huge losses or service cuts down the road. The government is also looking into hybrid and electric vessels, as well as pier rentals, to help ease future pressures. For now, though, that daily crossing will sting a little more, especially for those who call the outlying islands home.
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