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The China Ferry Terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui would extend its daily operating hours by two hours to midnight from October 27, the Marine Department announced today (October 17).
A department spokesman said the extension would be implemented on a year-round basis, whereby the terminal would be operating from 7am to midnight every day.
The new arrangement was made following a government review on the use of cross-boundary ferry terminals, which had taken into account the projected growth in the passenger throughput and the need to provide cross-boundary ferry passengers with greater convenience and more choices.
"The two-hour extension will help enhance the connectivity between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region to maintain Hong Kong's position as a transport and maritime hub. It will also benefit cross-boundary travellers, especially those from Kowloon and the New Territories," the spokesman said.
In February 2005, a pilot scheme was launched to extend the operating hours of the China Ferry Terminal on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays by four hours - from 10pm to 2am the next day. With the implementation of the new operating hours on October 27, the pilot scheme will come to an end. Passengers are advised to ask ferry operators about their updated sailing schedules.
The other cross-boundary ferry terminal, the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal at Sheung Wan, will continue to operate round-the-clock.
The Marine Department will continue to monitor the operation of the cross-boundary ferry terminals and consider further improvements to the services when necessary.
Ends/Friday, October 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:36
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