XN000022-1983-02-23 — Page 43

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983

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NEW STAR FERRY FARE STRUCTURE

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STAR FERRY PASSENGERS TRAVELLING BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND CENTRAL WILL STILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN 1ST CLASS AND 2ND CLASS WHEN SOME OF THE COMPANY'S FARES GO UP BY 10 CENTS ON MARCH 1.

A NEW FARE STRUCTURE WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS BY THE STAR FERRY COMPANY OVER THE PAST YEAR TO RAISE ITS FARES.

SOME CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO A PROPOSAL FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE TWO-TIER FARE STRUCTURE ON THE SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON POINT AND EDINBURGH PLACE. BUT THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTED ON THE BASIS OF THE DIFFERENCE IN THE STANDARD OF EACH DECK.

THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS, HOWEVER, THAT THE COMPANY WILL EXPERIENCE A DEFICIT IN 1983 IF FARES ARE NOT INCREASED NOW. THIS IS DUE TO HIGHER OPERATING COSTS AND A REDUCTION IN PATRONAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF THE COMPANY'S MAIN CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICE WHERE PASSENGER LEVELS HAVE BEEN DECLINING SINCE 1980.

EXISTING STAR FERRY FARES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE

JULY 1, 1981.

THE NEW ADULT FARE FOR THE ONE-CLASS HUNG HOM SERVICE AND FOR 1ST CLASS OF THE KOWLOON POINT SERVICE WILL BE 70 CENTS. ADULTS TRAVELLING 2ND CLASS ON THE KOWLOON POINT SERVICE WILL PAY 50 CENTS.

CHILD AND STUDENT FARES FOR BOTH SERVICES WILL NOT BE INCREASED.

CHILD MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE ABOLISHED BECAUSE OF THE VEY LOW DEMAND FOR THEM. ONLY ABOUT 10 TICKETS ARE SOLD EACH MONTH AND THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE HAS GROWN OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE REVENUE COLLECTED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW STAR FERRY FARES STILL COMPARED VERY FAVOURABLY WITH ALL OTHER MODES OF CROSS-HARBOUR TRANSPORT.

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