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As six key ferry routes prepare for fare hikes of up to 12.8 percent, a district councillor representing outlying islands is concerned that elderly residents may be left with no choice but to remain "stranded" due to soaring fares.
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Under the Transport Department proposal, the fare adjustment will be applied to a standard journey and freight service on routes to Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, and the inter-island services starting April 1.
For instance, a standard journey for a ferry from Central to Cheung Chau during peak hours would rise from HK$14.8 to HK$16.7, while the fast ferry service would see an increase to HK$32.9 –representing a jump of more than 12 percent.
Multiple routes, including Central to Yung Shue Wan, are also expected to become more expensive for passengers.
Speaking on a radio program this morning, District Councillor Lau Chin-pang criticized the proposal, describing it as imposed upon residents with no alternative transport options.
He pointed out that these six ferry routes had already undergone fare adjustments in 2023, with increases ranging from 3.9 to 19 percent, with the Peng Chau route noting the highest rise.
Citing the operators' initial proposal of a 20 to 30 percent increase, Lau described them as "asking for the moon." Yet, even after negotiations, he said the fare adjustment remains a bitter pill for residents to swallow.
With ferries being the only form of transport, he pointed out that residents have no choice but to pay—even as ferries are already the most expensive public transport option—adding further pressure to household budgets.
Double whammy for elderly residents
Lau further expressed deep concern for elderly residents, as the ferry adjustment coincides with the revamped HK$2 transport subsidy scheme in April.
Instead of the current flat HK$2 rate, Hong Kong elderly and eligible individuals will bear 20 percent of the fare for trips costing more than HK$10.
Facing both increased ferry fares and a scaled-back subsidy scheme, Lau is alarmed about skyrocketing travel costs for the elderly.
He noted that high commuting costs have already driven many young people away from the outlying islands, leaving behind a significant elderly population. He warned that increased fares could risk severing family connections as travel becomes unaffordable.
Taking peak holiday periods as an example, he explained that a senior's one-way ferry fare could jump from the current HK$2 to more than HK$9 – a three- to four-fold increase.
With no income beyond a few thousand dollars from the Old Age Living Allowance each month, he worried that heavy travel costs could leave elderly residents "stranded," isolated from society and their families.
In response, ferry operators have cited years of frozen fares during the pandemic, surging fuel costs, and two years without staff pay rises as contributing factors to their operational struggles.
Acknowledging the operating pressure, Lau agreed that the impact on residents could be even more severe if the current operators ceased service.
However, he asserted that the government needs to adopt a more comprehensive approach when approving fare increases and shaping policies, urging a review of regulations for unique areas like the outlying islands.
Lau believes there is room to reassess the revamped HK$2 scheme and consider special arrangements for outlying island residents, revealing that the Transport Department has promised to relay these concerns to the relevant policy bureau.
Tourism and local economy at risk
Apart from residents, Lau also warned that continuous ferry fare hikes will also undermine the islands' economy, which relies heavily on tourism.
"When ferry fares go up, fewer people want to visit the outlying islands," he said, citing a decrease in passenger numbers in recent years.
Considering a trip to Lo Wu from Central through MTR costing just HK$52.20, Lau questioned the appeal of visiting Hong Kong's outlying islands when ferry fares reach HK$48.60 to Cheung Chau and over HK$50 to Peng Chau.
As ferry fares affect not only residents' mobility but also economic development on the islands, he urged the government and operators to balance the interests of all stakeholders carefully.
