LC Paper No.

CB(4)100/2023(04)

For discussion on
17 February 2023

Legislative Council Panel on Transport

Ferry Pier Upgrading Projects

Purpose

This paper briefs Members on the progress of ferry pier upgrading

projects (“upgrading projects”).

Background

2. In order to improve ancillary facilities for public transport, the

Government has committed in the 2017 Policy Agenda to carry out a pilot
renovation project to enhance the design and facilities of a suitable ferry
pier, with a view to providing passengers with a better waiting environment.
In identifying ferry piers for upgrading works, the Government considers
factors including the utilisation rate, conditions of facilities, design
flexibility and technical feasibility of the ferry piers, as well as applicability
of the proposed design and facilities.

3. The Yung Shue Wan (“YSW”) Ferry Pier was identified as the
pilot site in 2018. Upgrading works commenced in July 2019 and were
completed in end-2021. In view of the effectiveness of the upgrading
project of the YSW Ferry Pier and positive feedback from passengers, the
Government now plans to upgrade the Peng Chau Ferry Pier.
Pilot Scheme for Ferry Pier Upgrading Projects – Yung Shue Wan
Ferry Pier

4. Located on the Lamma Island, the YSW Ferry Pier was built in
1987 with an area of about 1 600 square metres. It is currently used by
two outlying island ferry routes, namely the “Central – Yung Shue Wan”
and “Aberdeen – Yung Shue Wan” routes. Among the outlying island
ferry piers, YSW Ferry Pier has the second highest utilisation rate, only
after that of the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier1.

5. Apart from hosting around 6 600 residents, Lamma Island is also

a popular destination for travelling and weekend getaways. Ferry service
is the only means of public transport to the island. In order to provide a
better waiting environment and enhance the travelling experience of locals
as well as visitors, the refurbished YSW Ferry Pier is now provided with
toilet facilities (including accessible toilet), baby-care room with lactation
facilities, USB charging ports for mobile phones, water dispenser, and
passenger information display board, etc. Furthermore, seats and lighting
and ventilation systems of the waiting area at the pier have been renovated.
Layout modifications of the ticket counters, entrance gates and commercial
space have also enhanced the spacing of the waiting area and enlarged the
area available for the ferry operator to sublet in order to generate more non-
farebox revenue. Layout plans of the pier and photographs showing the
facilities before and after the upgrading project are at Annex 1 and
Annex 2 respectively.

6. Upon completion of the upgrading project of the YSW Ferry Pier,

the Transport Department (“TD”) conducted a questionnaire survey at the
pier. Close to 85% of the respondents indicated that they were “very
satisfied” or “satisfied” with the overall upgrading project2. They were
particularly pleased with the provision of toilet facilities, the refurbished
ticket counters and the seats and lighting and ventilation systems of the
waiting area.
1
The Government is also taking forward the reconstruction project of the Cheung
Chau Ferry Pier. When conducting detailed design for the reconstruction project,
the Government would make reference to experience gained in the YSW Ferry Pier
upgrading project.

2
Most of the rest of the respondents had no opinion on the overall upgrading project.

-2-
The Next Ferry Pier for Renovation – Peng Chau Ferry Pier

7. Taking into account the positive feedback from passengers on

the upgrading project of the YSW Ferry Pier, the Government has promptly
started to identify the next ferry pier for renovation. Built in 1983, the
Peng Chau Ferry Pier occupies an area of about 1 050 square metres. It
is currently used by the “Central – Peng Chau” and “Peng Chau – Mui Wo
– Chi Ma Wan – Cheung Chau” routes, both of which are major outlying
island ferry routes providing essential public transport services for outlying
island passengers. With an average daily passenger flow of around 8 400
passenger trips, Peng Chau Ferry Pier has the third highest utilisation rate
after the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier and YSW Ferry Pier. Taking into
consideration its essential nature and high utilisation, as well as there being
no major upgrading works done in recent years, the Government has
selected Peng Chau Ferry Pier as the next ferry pier for renovation.

Proposed Upgrading Project

8. The proposed upgrading project of Peng Chau Ferry Pier will

enhance the interior design and passenger facilities of the pier so as to
provide a better waiting environment. The scope of the works includes –

Provision of New Facilities

(a) a baby-care room with lactation facilities;

(b) a store room for the ferry operator;
(c) a staff rest room;
(d) energy saving/renewable energy facilities (e.g. solar panels);
(e) an accessible toilet;

Improvement of Existing Facilities

(f) refurbish the passenger waiting area, including replacing the roller
shutters of the pier, repainting the interior and exterior walls and
ceilings, replacing the benches, and repaving the floor with non-slip
material;

-3-
(g) upgrade the toilet facilities, including replacing the washbasins, toilet
seats, wall and floor tiles;
(h) modify the layout of the pier to increase the passenger waiting area;
(i) upgrade passenger facilities, including ticket counters, entrance gates,
queue railings, seats, water facilities, accessible facilities for the
elderly and persons with disabilities and lighting and ventilation
systems;
(j) upgrade the power supply of the pier and enhance the electrical
installations;
(k) replace the canopy at the entrance of the pier; and
(l) optimise commercial space at the pier.

The layout plans of the Peng Chau Ferry Pier before and after the proposed
upgrading project are at Annex 3.

Latest Progress

9. In July 2022, TD and the Architectural Services Department

(“ArchSD”) consulted the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Islands
District Council on the proposed upgrading project of Peng Chau Ferry
Pier. Members supported the proposal.

10. The Government expects to engage a consultant to undertake the

detailed design and relevant works, including consultation with relevant
stakeholders, in the first half of 2023. Construction is expected to
commence in the second quarter of 2024 for completion in the fourth
quarter of 2026.

11. During the design stage of the upgrading project, the

Government will take into account the actual operational needs of ferry
operators, passenger expectations, applicability of the design to other ferry
piers, etc., and strive to minimise the environmental impact of the
upgrading project. As the Peng Chau Ferry Pier has to continue to operate
during the upgrading project to maintain the essential external transport
services of Peng Chau, the Government will carefully consider the works
schedule, construction stages, material delivery and other arrangements
and take forward the upgrading project in phases in order to minimise the
impact on normal ferry operations and passengers.

-4-
Other Ferry Piers

12. At present, there are in total 23 government ferry piers in Hong

Kong for use by 18 licensed ferry routes and two franchised ferry routes
(i.e. the “Central – Tsim Sha Tsui” and “Wan Chai – Tsim Sha Tsui” routes
of the “Star” Ferry Company, Limited (“Star Ferry”)). The Government
provides ferry piers for operators to facilitate the daily operation of ferry
services, such as through the provision of waiting area and barrier-free
facilities for passengers, and ancillary facilities such as staff rest rooms for
operators. Ferry operators can also sublet pier premises for commercial
purposes, so as to generate non-farebox revenue to cross-subsidise the
operating expenses of ferries and alleviate the pressure for fare increases.

13. In relation to ferry piers used by licensed ferry operators, the

operators will be responsible for the daily operation of the piers, while TD
will be responsible for coordinating their management and maintenance.
Specifically, TD will coordinate various works departments (including
ArchSD, the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department) to carry out regular
maintenance for ferry piers in order to ensure the safety and normal
operation of pier structures and related facilities. For example, the
Government carries out structural repair of lift and ramp, ceilings, beams
and walls, improvement works for lighting systems, renovation of toilets,
improvement works for power supply and repainting, etc..

14. In addition, when the Government granted the new 15-year

franchise to Star Ferry in 2018, the Government handed over the Central
Pier No. 7, the Central Terminal Building (“CTB”), Wan Chai Ferry Pier
and Tsim Sha Tsui Pier to Star Ferry for consolidated management3, so as
to bring in more farebox and non-farebox revenue for Star Ferry. At that
time, Star Ferry has undertaken to bring in more vibrancy for the piers to
enhance the harbourfront.

3
Before the new franchise was granted, Star Ferry was only responsible for the
management of the Central Pier No. 7 and the CTB (West Wing), Wan Chai Ferry
Pier (excluding the observation deck on the rooftop) and Tsim Sha Tsui Pier.
Under the new franchise, the Government handed over the other parts of the CTB
and the observation deck of the Wan Chai Ferry Pier to Star Ferry.

-5-
15. Star Ferry is exploring the possibility of rationalising the
provision of commercial spaces and public spaces, bringing in theme-based
commercial activities including retail, dining and entertainment to broaden
visitors’ experiences and projecting artistic lights on facades, with a view
to enhancing the harbourfront, improving the appearance of the pier and
generating additional non-farebox revenue to cross-subsidise ferry
operations. The Government has been actively assisting Star Ferry in
taking forward its proposals, including providing technical advice, with the
TD coordinating the relevant departments.

Measures to Assist Ferry Operators

16. The Government has been assisting ferry operators through

various measures. As mentioned above, in terms of pier facilities, the
Government has implemented a number of measures, including
undertaking pier maintenance works and allowing operators to sublet pier
premises to generate non-farebox revenue. Through the Elderly
Concessionary Fares Scheme, the Government also reimburses the ferry
operators the revenue foregone4 for provision of elderly fare concessions
in the form of pier rental reimbursement and exemption of vessel licence
fees.

17. In addition, the Government first introduced the Special Helping

Measures (“SHM”) in 2011 for the six major outlying island ferry routes5.
As outlying island ferry routes provide essential external transport services
to the outlying islands, it is of utmost importance to maintain the financial
viability of the ferry services and alleviate the burden on passengers
brought by hefty fare increases. In this regard, the Government

4
The reimbursement is capped by the actual revenue foregone or the sum of pier
rental and vessel licence fees, whichever is less.
5
Namely the “Central – Cheung Chau”, “Inter-islands” between Peng Chau, Mui
Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau, “Central – Mui Wo”, “Central – Peng Chau”,
“Central – Yung Shue Wan” and “Central – Sok Kwu Wan” routes.

-6-
announced in the 2019 Policy Address to extend the SHM to other outlying
island ferry routes6.

18. Under the SHM, ferry operators are reimbursed of certain

operating expenses, including pier-related expenses (such as electricity,
water and cleansing charges), vessel-related expenses (such as vessel repair
and maintenance expenses, insurance fees, vessel survey fees and private
mooring charges), as well as fare concessions-related expenses (such as the
foregone due to provision of child fare concessions and implementation of
“Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands” and revenue foregone due to
provision of elderly fare concessions after netting off the amount of pier
rental reimbursement and vessel licence fee exemption under the
established arrangement) on an accountable basis. The SHM have been
gradually extended to other outlying island ferry routes starting from April
2020, and now cover all 13 outlying island ferry routes.

Advice Sought

19. Members are invited to note and provide views on the progress
of ferry pier upgrading projects set out in this paper.

Transport and Logistics Bureau

Transport Department
Architectural Services Department
February 2023

6
Namely the “Aberdeen – Yung Shue Wan (via Pak Kok Tsuen)”, “Aberdeen – Sok
Kwu Wan (via Mo Tat)”, “Tuen Mun – Tung Chung – Sha Lo Wan – Tai O”,
“Discovery Bay – Mui Wo”, “Ma Wan – Central”, “Ma Wan – Tsuen Wan” and
“Central – Discovery Bay” routes.

-7-
 Annex 1

Layout Plans of YSW Ferry Pier

Before and After the Upgrading Project
 Annex 2

Photographs Showing the Facilities Before and After the

Upgrading Project of YSW Ferry Pier

(1) New Facilities

Provision of male and female toilets and an accessible toilet

Provision of a baby-care room

(2) Improved Facilities

Before upgrading works After upgrading works

Seats with outdated design Seats with uniform design
scattered around the pier in the same area

Ticket counter with outdated design Accessible facilities added at ticket counter

Dim lighting and poor ventilation Adequate lighting and improved ventilation

-2-
 Annex 3

Layout Plans of Peng Chau Ferry Pier

Before and After the Proposed Upgrading Project

Current layout plan

Layout plan after the proposed upgrading project