Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Cheng and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 14):

Question:

     There are views that the authorities should further enhance waterborne transport services in Hong Kong and improve the ancillary facilities, so as to facilitate travel by members of the public and enhance visitors' experience of visiting Victoria Harbour, thereby injecting vitality into the harbourfront and promoting the development of the tourism industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the total patronage, frequency and average occupancy rate of the various ferry routes and water taxi routes in Victoria Harbour in the past three years, and the ratio of residents to visitors taking such routes;

(2) whether the authorities will review the existing ferry routes or water taxi services, and explore the feasibility of extending the routes to more locations with development potential (e.g. the Kai Tak Sports Park and the Cheung Sha Wan Promenade), or introducing special routes to tie in with large-scale events held at the harbourfront; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) as it is reported that water taxis suffer from low public awareness, whether the authorities have studied with the operator ways to step up publicity work, such as drawing reference from overseas examples to set up service stations with clearer signage and greater recognition near the shores, or reviewed the existing mode of operation;

(4) whether the authorities will launch improvement programmes targeting the ferry piers of in-harbour routes in Victoria Harbour, as well as some public piers in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island with higher utilisation rates (e.g. the landing facilities in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui East), including enhancing barrier-free facilities, installing electronic display panels and carrying out beautification works; and

(5) given that under the Pilot Scheme for Electric Ferries implemented by the Government, some electric ferries have progressively commenced sea trials, of the current effectiveness of the trials of the various routes, and the respective timetables for formally putting the various electric ferries into service?

Reply:

President,

     In-harbour ferry services (including water taxi) play a supplementary role in Hong Kong's public transport system. Apart from serving the commuting needs of local residents, they also attract visitors exploring Victoria Harbour. The Transport Department (TD) has been closely monitoring the operations of ferry services, and keeping in close communications with ferry operators for service adjustments in view of changes in passenger demand.

     Having consulted the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the reply to the Member's question is as follows:

(1) The total patronage, headway and average occupancy rate of franchised and licensed in-harbour ferry routes (including water taxi in the past three years (i.e. from 2023 to 2025)) are set out in the Annex. Ferry operators do not keep data on the ratio of residents to visitors among its passengers. According to the observations of the TD and ferry operators, licensed ferry services mainly serve local passengers, while tourists account for about 60 per cent of the passengers of the Star Ferry. 

(2) The TD has welcomed and encouraged ferry operators to proactively consider introducing suitable new routes to attract more members of the public and tourists on board. The TD will take into account factors such as passenger demand, availability of pier or landing steps facilities, financial viability, and existing public transport services according to the established procedures, and discuss with the operators and advise on service details of the proposed routes.

     For instance, following the commissioning of WestK Quay, the water taxi operator, with the support of the TD, launched the new West Kowloon – Central route on November 10, 2025, providing pet co-ride service. The route has been well received since its launch.

(3) The water taxi is mainly of a sightseeing and tourism nature, providing services for the public and tourists travelling across the Victoria Harbour since its commissioning in July 2021. The TD has been actively assisting the water taxi operator in co-operating with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and other government departments to promote water taxi services, including promoting the water taxi at the HKTB's Visitor Centres and website, enhancing signage and providing water taxi service information in tourist areas such as Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui (including the West Kowloon Cultural District). In addition, regarding facilities, the water taxi operator has set up a ticketing counter at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui East to promote water taxi services and facilitate the handling of enquiries from tourists and ticket purchases. The water taxi operator has also set up a passenger waiting area and enhanced publicity at Central Pier No. 9 since February 2026 to attract passengers.
      
     The TD will work with the water taxi operator to closely monitor its operation, and enhance water taxi services in response to passenger demand.

(4) For ferry piers (such as the Hung Hom (South) Ferry Pier) used by licensed or franchised ferry operators and other public landing facilities (such as the Central and Wan Chai public piers and public landing steps), the TD would co-ordinate with relevant departments (including the Architectural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department) to continuously inspect the pier structures and facilities, and arrange repair and maintenance works as necessary to ensure their safety and normal operations.

     At the same time, the Government has been committed to improving the waiting environment and facilities at ferry piers. In particular, lifting platform installation works were carried out at the Hung Hom (South) Ferry Pier in 2023 to facilitate access by wheelchair passengers. In addition, accessible toilets, emergency call bells, and wide gates/turnstiles have been added at most in-harbour ferry piers; electronic display panels are also installed at some ferry piers to provide passengers with sailing information.

     The Government will continue to review the utilisation of public landing facilities from time to time and listen to views of stakeholders, with a view to enhancing the design and operational arrangements of landing facilities.

(5) To promote the trial of electric ferries in Hong Kong, the Government has earmarked $350 million to implement the Pilot Scheme for Electric Ferries (Pilot Scheme) to introduce four electric ferries (e-ferries). Among them, three e-ferries have commenced trials successively since December 2024 (for the North Point – Hung Hom / Kowloon City routes), May 2025 (for the water taxi route), and June 2026 (for the Sai Wan Ho – Kwun Tong route), and have been progressively deployed to provide passenger services. Their battery range has been sufficient to meet the electricity demands for the daily total sailing distances of their respective ferry operators, and the overall operations have generally been smooth. Tender invitation for the remaining e-ferry is underway, with its trial targeted to commence in 2029. 

     The Government has established an inter-departmental working group to oversee and evaluate the operational and environmental performance and effectiveness of the e-ferries. The effectiveness of the e-ferries and their associated facilities will be evaluated and concluded upon completion of all trials. Should the Pilot Scheme yield positive results, the Government intends to encourage ferry operators to continue operating the relevant e-ferries at their own cost after completion of the Pilot Scheme, in order to help reduce emissions.

Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:10

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