THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1983
STAR FERRY GRANTED FRANCHISE
******
THE STAR FERRY COMPANY HAS BEEN GRANTED A FRANCHISE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS FROM APRIL 1, 1983.
THE GRANTING OF A FRANCHISE IS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE FERRY SERVICES ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN JUNE 1982, WHICH ALLOWS FOR GREATER GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE OPERATION OF FERRY SERVICES.
THE FRANCHISE GIVES THE STAR FERRY COMPANY THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO OPERATE FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE AND KOWLOON POINT AND BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE AND HUNG HOM.
THE COMPANY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ANNUALLY TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT A FORWARD PLAN INCLUDING THE LEVEL OF SERVICES, NUMBER OF VESSELS AND THE PIER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE COMMISSIONER WILL COMMENT ON THE PROPOSALS AND DISCUSS POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPANY. IF THE PLAN CANNOT BE AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL ARBITRATE.
THE FRANCHISE, WHICH IS AN EXTENSION OF THE ORDINANCE, SETS OUT THE TERMS UNDER WHICH THE COMPANY MUST OPERATE ITS SERVICES, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE RUN PROPERLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
ONE OF THE CONDITIONS IS THAT IF THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF A PIER IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE COMPANY, ITS RIGHT OF USE CAN BE SUSPENDED, CANCELLED OR TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER FERRY OPERATOR.
THE OTHER TERMS OF THE FRANCHISE GOVERN MATTERS SUCH AS THE STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY, THE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT PIERS, THE PAYMENT OF RENT, THE PROVISION OF PASSENGER FACILITIES AND THE GRANTING OF COMMERCIAL CONCESSIONS.
/2