Star Ferry seeks 30% fare hikes

The Transport Advisory Committee has discussed the Star Ferry’s application for a 30% fare hike.

The ferry operator’s application was filed to the government in March.

For the Central-Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui routes, weekday upper deck fares would rise from 5 dollars to 6.5 dollars.

On weekends and public holidays, fares would rise from 6.5 to 8.5 dollars.

The company has also proposed introducing a 25-dollar pet travel pass for the Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui route.

The Star Ferry has incurred total losses of more than 100 million dollars between 2018 and 2023.

Despite passenger recovery and 5.1 million-dollar profits recorded last year, its operating expenses marked a 14% rise with continued financial pressure.