TRANSPORT
203
SF operated 10 vessels across the harbour from Edinburgh Place on Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom in Kowloon. During the year the company carried 39 million passengers on these two routes. SF was granted the franchise to operate a new passenger ferry service between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai not later than April 1988. HYF operated 27 ferry services, including four cross-harbour vehicular and/or passenger services, nine outlying district services, two excursion routes, and two vehicular charter services to Lantau. The company operated 76 vessels, ranging from vehicular ferries and high capacity triple-deck passenger vessels to high-speed hovercraft. Fares ranged from $2.50 for an inter-island adult passenger fare to $600 for a heavy vehicle on the occasional ferry service to Lantau. During the year HYF carried 75 million pasengers and four million vehicles, compared with 76 million and four million respectively in 1986.
Following a study of cross-harbour public transport services in 1985, a rationalisation of HYF's cross-harbour passenger ferry network was recommended, and one route was withdrawn in 1986. The process continued in 1987, with the withdrawal of three cross- harbour routes during the year Sai Wan Ho to Kowloon City, Central to Kwun Tong, and North Point to Tsim Sha Tsui East.
In addition to the services provided by the two franchised ferry companies, nine minor ferry services were operated to or between outlying islands by six licensed operators. These were supplemented by 'kaitos', or small boat services, which cater for local demand, mainly in remote rural areas. During the year 126 'kaitos' were deployed by 103 operators. Both types of services are controlled by licences issued by the Transport Department under the Ferry Services Ordinance.
Taxis -
Hong Kong is served by three types of taxis: Hong Kong and Kowloon taxis which may operate anywhere within Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories but primarily serve the urban areas; New Territories taxis which operate only in permitted areas in the New Territories, and Lantau taxis which operate only on Lantau Island.
Urban and New Territories taxis fares were raised from March 15 and August 24 respectively. Urban taxi fares were $5.50 for the first two kilometres and 70 cents for each subsequent 250 metres. New Territories taxi fares were $4.50 for the first two kilometres and 90 cents for each subsequent 400 metres. Lantau taxi fares were $5 for the first two kilometres and $1 for every subsequent 400 metres. Luggage fee for these three types of taxis was increased to $2 per article of baggage. A new surcharge of $1 for every hiring arranged through telephone booking for urban and New Territories taxis, and for Lantau taxis was introduced on March 15 and December 14 respectively. A double toll charge was applicable for taxis crossing the harbour through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.
A comprehensive review of taxi policy is being carried out by a sub-committee of the Transport Advisory Committee. District boards were consulted on the issue between September and November and the review is scheduled to be completed in early 1988.
Port Development and Shipping Services
The port of Hong Kong continued to meet efficiently the demands of an increasing number of ship arrivals as well as a growth in both the volume of cargo handled and passenger numbers.
Victoria Harbour, lying between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, is the centre of shipping activity. It has an area of 5 000 hectares and varies in width from 1.2 to 9.6 kilometres.