Cruise terminal operator bent on regular regime for bus services

It is better to have frequent bus services than more routes for tourists arriving at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, says Jeff Bent, managing director of the facility's operator Worldwide Cruise Terminals.

Bent said yesterday the government's shuttle bus service arrangements had increased passenger throughput by 94 percent.

His comments came after 4,500 tourists ferried in by Spectrum of the Seas on Saturday benefited from the new bus routes and free shuttle services.

Some taxi drivers, however, complained they had to wait longer for fares.

Bent said most cruise passengers only stayed for a short time and more opted for franchised buses so there was no need for too many routes.

"Many foreigners only know there is a Hong Kong [Island] and a Kowloon. Being too specific will, in turn, take staff more time to explain where the bus is going," he said.

"I think more frequent bus service is better than having too many routes. We will discuss with the government which routes are popular so we can maintain frequent services along these routes, leaving taxi drivers some business."

Bent suggested Hong Kong allows cabbies to impose a surcharge at the cruise terminal in the short run.

Although the SAR administration has said it will not intervene in traffic arrangement, Bent said it is good for the cruise terminal to seek help.

"No cruise terminal provides transport facilities for passengers by itself, such as China Hong Kong City, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, Ocean Terminal or SkyPier," he said.

"We used to collaborate with malls in the past, but they also had limited capability and cannot accommodate such a huge number of passengers. We should allow tourists to leave the terminal and travel to the urban area."

Bent hopes the government can build more hotels, parking spaces and ferry services near the terminal to attract more tourists.

Organizers of a newly opened 5,000-square-foot souvenir market at the terminal are digesting the feedback.

"Some customers told us there are only a few brands in the market and so we hope to introduce more in the future. We have approached 40 to 60 brands so far but only 20 of them are willing to join the market," said Hong Kong Cruise and Yacht Industry Association chief Kara Yeung Tsz-ching.

She acknowledged that some of the products sold at the market are expensive - an issue organizers will discuss with vendors.