XN000022-1995-03-08 — Page 88

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Site for new China ferry terminal being identified

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

At present the Hong Kong - China Ferry Terminal at China Hong Kong City is heavily used, and because of staff shortage, frequent disruptions to the scheduled passenger ferry services have arisen resulting in discontent among passengers. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council :

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the number of scheduled ferry services that have been delayed in the past year;

whether there is any plan to increase the number of staff so as to improve the present situation; if so, when the increase will be effected and what the number of additional staff will be; if not, why not; and

Whether consideration will be given to the construction of new Hong Kong - China ferry terminals in other locations as a long term measure to ease the pressure at the China Hong Kong City terminal; if so, what the specific plans are; if not, why not?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a)

In 1994, the berthing of about 27,000 vessels was delayed for more than five minutes at the Hong Kong - China Ferry Terminal, representing 36 per cent of the total trips in that year. The delays were due to ferries arriving either earlier or later than was scheduled, and therefore missing their allotted berthing slots. This happened mostly during the peak morning and evening hours when the berths were fully occupied.

The situation is expected to improve in October this year, when three new berths for high speed ferries will be completed.