LegCo Panel on Transport

Carrying Capacity and Patronage of Outlying Island Ferry Services

INTRODUCTION

This paper compares the actual patronage and the carrying capacity of the outlying island ferry services operated by the Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Company (HYF) and Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Limited (HKK) between 19 and 23 April 1999.

BACKGROUND

2. At the meeting of the LegCo Panel on Transport held on 23 April 1999, Members noted the actual patronage of the outlying island ferry services operated by HYF and HKK on 15 April 1999, which represented the patronage pattern of a typical weekday. Members requested the Administration to provide the actual patronage figures for these services for a longer period in order to ascertain that the carrying capacity provided could meet the travelling need of the Islands residents.

ACTUAL PATRONAGE

3. A comparison of the actual patronage and the carrying capacity of the outlying island ferry services operated by HYF and HKK during the period 19 - 23 April, broken down by individual route and trip, is given at Annex A.

Cheung Chau Service

4. The average daily patronage of the Cheung Chau service during the period of 19 - 23 April was 14,711. During the morning peak hours (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am), there were three ordinary ferry trips and four fast ferry trips departing from Cheung Chau for Central. The total carrying capacity of the ordinary ferries during the morning peak hours was 4,682 and the average patronage of these ferry services was 2,032. There was adequate capacity in the three ordinary ferry trips as indicated by the patronage figures which represented 52%, 52% and 26% of the carrying capacity respectively. As for the fast ferries, the average patronage in the morning peak was about 71% of the total carrying capacity, indicating that a significant number of passengers preferred the convenience of a shorter journey time.

Mui Wo Service

5. The average daily patronage of the Mui Wo service during the period of 19 - 23 April was 5,843. During the morning peak hours, there were two ordinary ferry trips and four fast ferry trips departing from Mui Wo for Central. The total carrying capacity of the ordinary ferries during the morning peak hours was 1,236 and the average patronage of these ferry services was 451. There was adequate capacity in the two ordinary ferry trips as indicated in the patronage figures which represented 47% and 24% of the carrying capacity respectively. Similar to the Cheung Chau service, a significant number of passengers chose to take the fast ferries and the average patronage in the morning peak was about 77% of the total carrying capacity.

6. With effect from 10 May 1999, there will be an additional ordinary ferry sailing at 7:50 a.m. from Mui Wo and two additional ordinary ferry sailings from Central, one at 6:50 a.m. and the other at 5:40 p.m. With these sailings, the total carrying capacity provided will be further increased.

Peng Chau Service

7. The average daily patronage of the Peng Chau service during the period of 19 - 23 April was 5,695. During the morning peak hours, there were three ordinary ferry trips and two fast ferry trips departing from Peng Chau for Central. The total carrying capacity of the ordinary ferries during the morning peak hours was 1,892 and the average patronage of these ferry services was 1,099. There was adequate capacity in the three ordinary ferry trips as indicated by the patronage figures which represented 65%, 72% and 39% of the carrying capacity respectively. Similar to the Cheung Chau and Mui Wo services, a significant number of passengers chose to take the fast ferries and the average patronage in the morning peak was about 64% of the total carrying capacity.

Yung Shue Wan Service

8. The average daily patronage of the Yung Shue Wan service during the period of 19 - 23 April was 5,767. During the morning peak hours, there were three ordinary ferry trips and four fast ferry trips departing from Yung Shue Wan for Central. The total carrying capacity of the ordinary ferries during the morning peak hours was 1,350 and the average patronage of these ferry services was 635. There was adequate capacity in the three ordinary ferry trips as indicated by the patronage figures which represented 58%, 61% and 22% of the carrying capacity respectively. As for the fast ferries, the average patronage in the morning peak was about 82% of the total carrying capacity, which was the highest among the outlying island services.

Sok Kwu Wan Service

9. The average daily patronage of the Sok Kwu Wan service during the period of 19 - 23 April was 318. During the morning peak hours, there was one fast ferry trip operating from Sok Kwu Wan to Central. The carrying capacity of the fast ferry during the morning peak hours was 105, and the actual average patronage was 12, about 11% of the carrying capacity.

CONCLUSION

10. The actual patronage of the outlying island ferry services during 19 - 23 April was not significantly different from that of 15 April 1999. From the travelling pattern as reflected during this period, it could be demonstrated that the overall and peak hours carrying capacity of the outlying island ferry services is adequate to meet the travelling demand. Also, the peak hour carrying capacity should be capable of providing choice for passengers who may select the mode suited to their travelling needs.

Transport Bureau
6 May 1999