Nine outlying island ferry routes to be suspended on Thur morning as special measures in place

A total of nine outlying island ferry service routes will be suspended gradually on Thursday morning (July 3) in view of special marine transport measures and ferry service adjustments to accommodate the visit of the Shandong aircraft carrier task group to Hong Kong.

The Transport Department announced that the affected routes included those between Central and Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Discovery Bay and Ma Wan; between Aberdeen and Yung Shue Wan via Pak Kok Tsuen; and between Aberdeen and Sok Kwu Wan (via Mo Tat).

The services will be gradually suspended from about 7.20am to 9.50am.

The Department urged the public to plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient time for commuting to work or school.

To ease the passenger flow during peak hours, individual ferry route services will be strengthened in the morning, including:

•  Central – Cheung Chau: (from Cheung Chau) one additional ordinary ferry sailing at 7am, an additional fast ferry sailing at 7.15am, and advancing the sailing at 7.45am to 7.25am;
• Central – Yung Shue Wan: (from Yung Shue Wan) one additional ferry sailing at 7.10am;
• Central – Peng Chau: (from Peng Chau) one additional ferry sailing at 7.10am;
• Mui Wo – Discovery Bay (via Peng Chau): two additional ferry sailings from Peng Chau to Discovery Bay at 7.30am and 8am;
• Aberdeen – Sok Kwu Wan (via Mo Tat): (from Sok Kwu Wan) advancing the scheduled sailings to 5.40am and 6.50am; and
• Ma Wan – Central: (from Ma Wan) advancing the sailing from 8am to 7.50am.

Separately, free-of-charge special outlying island ferry services will be provided to expedite the dispersal of passengers during peak hours, comprising eight round trips.

Passengers can transfer to the MTR Tuen Ma Line or other road-based transport modes at Tsuen Wan West Station, or transfer to Residents' Services at Discovery Bay to Tung Chung or Sunny Bay and other destinations:

• Cheung Chau – Tsuen Wan West: departing from Cheung Chau at 7.40am and departing from Tsuen Wan West (Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier) at 8.40am;
• Cheung Chau – Discovery Bay: departing from Cheung Chau at 8.15am and departing from Discovery Bay Ferry Pier at 8.55am;
• Peng Chau – Tsuen Wan West: departing from Peng Chau at 8.40am and departing from Tsuen Wan West (Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier) at 9.20am;
• Yung Shue Wan – Tsuen Wan West: departing from Yung Shue Wan at 8.40am and departing from Tsuen Wan West (Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier) at 9.30am;
• Yung Shue Wan – Discovery Bay: departing from Yung Shue Wan at 8.30am and departing from Discovery Bay Ferry Pier at 9.10am;
• Ma Wan – Tsuen Wan West: departing from Ma Wan at 8.10am and departing from Tsuen Wan West (Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier) at 8.30am; and
• Discovery Bay – Tsuen Wan West: departing from Discovery Bay at 7.45am and 8.15am; and departing from Tsuen Wan West (Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier) at 8.20am and 8.50am.

The Department added that the bus services in Mui Wo, Ma Wan and Discovery Bay will also be enhanced, including:

• Enhancing service between Mui Wo Pier and Tung Chung Station (New Lantao Bus route No. 3M);
• Enhancing service between Ma Wan (Tung Wan Bus Terminus) and Tsing Yi Station (Residents' Service route No. NR330);
• Operating free bus service from Ma Wan to Central Ferry Pier No. 2;
• Strengthening service between Discovery Bay/Discovery Bay North and Sunny Bay (Residents' Service route No. DB03R/DB03RP);
• Operating special service from Discovery Bay Kaito Ferry Pier (Nim Shue Wan Landing Steps) to Sunny Bay (Residents' Service route No. DB03R special service);
• Operating free bus service from Discovery Bay Kaito Ferry Pier (Nim Shue Wan Landing Steps) to Central Ferry Pier No. 3 to pick up kaito passengers from Peng Chau to Discovery Bay for urban areas; and
• Operating free bus service from Discovery Bay to Central Ferry Pier No. 3 and Kowloon Station.

Moreover, MTR Corporation will strengthen services on the Tung Chung Line and Tuen Ma Line in the morning.

For the Tung Chung Line, special short-haul services will operate from Sunny Bay Station to Hong Kong Station around 8am during morning peak hours.

Services between Hong Kong Station and Tsing Yi Station will be strengthened from around 8.30am to 9am.

As for the Tuen Ma Line, spare trains will be on standby during morning peak hours, for taking passengers from Tsuen Wan West Station to Hong Kong Station via Nam Cheong Station of the Tung Chung Line if needed.

The rail giant will also deploy additional staff to busier stations to facilitate passenger flow and assist passengers.

Details of the outlying island ferry service adjustments and special public transport service arrangements