ENG-2017 — Page 277

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Transport

facilities nor alternative barrier-free pedestrian crossing facilities within about 100 metres. Out of 145 retrofitting items, 64 were completed by end-October.

Under a Universal Accessibility Programme announced in 2012, lift retrofitting works at 54 public walkways maintained by the Highways Department, involving 57 items, nominated by the 18 District Councils for priority implementation are ongoing. Three of these priority items were completed as at end-October.

The next phase of the programme will no longer be confined to public walkways maintained by the Highways Department provided certain criteria are met, as announced in 2016. In September, a consultation exercise with the 18 District Councils was substantially completed with another 45 walkways, involving 48 items, nominated for priority implementation, and the Highways Department started the investigation and design for these items.

Maritime Transport

Domestic Ferries

Ferries provide essential transport links to outlying islands where no or limited land transport is available. Ferries also offer an alternative transport service between the inner harbour and other areas in Hong Kong.

Fourteen franchised and licensed ferry operators run 21 regular passenger ferry services, two services for dangerous goods vehicles, and two special services for the harbour, outlying islands. and other areas. These are supplemented by 66 'kaito' ferry services, which cover relatively remote areas. Ferries recorded a daily average of about 61,600 passenger trips within the harbour and about 66,500 passenger trips serving the outlying islands in 2017.

Cross-boundary Ferries

Cross-boundary ferry services to Macao and 11 Mainland ports operate from the Hong Kong- Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan, China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal in Tuen Mun. In 2017, cross-boundary ferries transported 20.78 million travellers to and from Macao, and 4.15 million to and from Mainland ports.

Local Vessels

In 2017, about 18,700 passenger, cargo, fishing and pleasure vessels were licensed in Hong Kong to provide services for the port and the community.

Public Transport Fare Concessions

The government encourages public transport operators to offer fare concessions, taking into account their operating and financial conditions, the market situation and passenger needs.

MTRCL concessions include monthly passes for the East Rail, West Rail and Tung Chung lines, a Student Travel Scheme, fare concessions for children, Fare Savers and interchange discounts.

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