ENG-2020 — Page 260

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Transport

under the Hong Kong Housing Authority. In November, the Highways Department began consulting relevant district councils on possible new items under the scheme.

Maritime Transport

Domestic Ferries

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

Thirteen 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 72 'kaito' ferry services, which cover relatively remote areas. Ferries recorded a daily average of about 32,300 passenger trips within the harbour and about 53,600 passenger trips serving the outlying islands in 2020.

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. Due to COVID-19, the cross-boundary ferry services were suspended from February, but prior to that cross-boundary ferries transported 700,000 travellers to and from Macao, and 150,000 travellers to and from Mainland ports.

Local Vessels

In 2020, about 19,600 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.

MTR 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.

Franchised bus companies offer concessionary half fares for children under 12. Section fares are available for about 80 per cent of mid-distance and long-distance routes, involving about 440 routes. The companies also provide about 305 bus-bus interchange concession schemes, covering about 400 bus routes, or about 72 per cent of all routes. The tramway and ferries have discount fares for the elderly and children, and some GMB routes grant concessionary fares.

Government's Fare Concessions and Subsidies

Under the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities (the $2 Scheme), those aged 65 or above and eligible disabled persons

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