Ooooo, MTR discounts for ferry commuters

Check out this announcement from MTR:

HK$1.5 discount for MTR passengers interchanging from five Outlying Island ferry routes

From 16 July 2011 to 15 January 2012, Adult Octopus cardholders taking the Outlying Island Ferry services from Sok Kwu Wan, Yung Shue Wan, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau and Mui Wo to Central to interchange for the MTR will be able to enjoy a $1.5 discount off their MTR fare. All they have to do is swipe their Octopus cards at the new Fare Discount Processor installed at the respective ferry piers before entering the MTR network through Central or Hong Kong Station on the same day.

The Fare Discount Processors are located at:
(1) Sok Kwu Wan Route : Before exit at Central Ferry Pier 4 (Sok Kwu Wan Route exit)
(2) Yung Shue Wan Route : Paid area of Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier
(3) Peng Chau Route : Paid area of Peng Chau Ferry Pier
(4) Cheung Chau Route: Unpaid area of Cheung Chau Ferry Pier
(5) Mui Wo Route : Unpaid area of Mui Wo Ferry Pier

The Interchange Discount is not applicable to Airport Express and the free MTR connection journeys offered by Airport Express.

For details of the new Interchange Discount, passengers may refer to the MTR website at www.mtr.com.hk or call the MTR Hotline at 2881-8888 during office hours.

You tell 'em, Samantha!

Every time I look out of the window and see the small ferry waiting to take me to work, it puts me in a bad mood. "Let it go," Buffalo Wilbur keeps saying.

I know, I know, it's a small grumble try but it does get me rant-y.

Thank goodness I am not alone. Way to go, Samantha!

SCMP letter: Ferry change backward move

I would like to raise a question with New World First Ferry regarding the 8.30am fast ferry from Mui Wo to Central.

On one occasion it put one of the smaller boats on this run as opposed to the regular catamaran.

Passengers accepted this as sometimes there are boat faults and it is understandable. However, since April 1, when First Ferry increased passenger fares from HK$25.50 to HK$28.40, it has been a smaller boat on the 8.30 route.

Could the company please explain the increase in cost and the decrease in passenger consideration?

The smaller ferries are obviously less comfortable, often have an unpleasant odour and are invariably more cramped.

Why should it have changed firstly when the prices have been increased and secondly given that the catamaran has been the regular 8.30 ferry for a considerable period of time? Surely the commuters who use this ferry service deserve better than this?

Samantha Bell, Lantau

Bring back the big ferries

Here's a sight that would gladden the heart of any ferry operator: a jam-packed ferry.

Well, it would be, wouldn't it, if you have a small ferry taking commuters to work during peak hours?

My heart and stomach always sink at the sight of a small ferry because it means a claustrophobic, seasick-inducing ride that's guaranteed to put me in a bad mood for the entire workday.

I am not alone. There have been grumbles galore since NWFF put on the small ferry about a fortnight ago.

This move coincided with the raising of ferry fares. So we're paying a higher fare for this?

Hidden costs

Mui Wo property looks cheap in comparison to places like Tung Chung and Tsing Yi and people often ask me: "So what's the catch?"

Easy: Ferry fares.

You are dependent on the ferry as it is the fastest way to get to Central. So if you have to get into the office every day, you must factor in transport costs if you're planning to move to Mui Wo.

Here's the latest on ferry fare rises from The Standard today: "Fares on six ferry routes to the outlying islands will rise, the first as early as next week.The fare from Mui Wo to Central will increase from HK$13 to HK$14 while the express fare will go up from HK$25 to HK$28.80. The fares hike will be effective from Friday."

Already my monthly commute costs me at least HK$2,000. With the fare increase, transport can easily be HK$4,000 to HK$5,000 for a two-person household - something you should factor into the rent/mortgage.

But at least places like Mui Wo, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lamma are "proper" towns, as compared to developer-led Discovery Bay so ferry fares are still subsidised by the government.

I wonder how much the fare raise for the Disco Bay ferries is going to be?