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■6條經重新招標後由原來經營商中標的離島渡輪，開始陸續加價，平均加幅約10%。 資料圖片
特區政府公布6條離島航線招標結果：由新渡輪及港九小輪繼續營辦原來航線，但各航線將分別加價9.33%至11.86%，月票加幅則達7%。面對近年經營成本持續上漲，客流量又不斷萎縮的困境，渡輪公司如果不設法開源，將難以抵銷成本上漲的壓力。然而，以大幅加價的方式將成本轉嫁至乘客身上，結果只會令到乘客進一步減少，造成惡性循環。
多條離島的渡輪線，由於業務單一，面對近年油價和工薪等成本不斷上漲，出現沉重的經營壓力，部分公司甚至放棄經營部分虧蝕較嚴重的航線。為吸引渡輪公司繼續經營，准許加價在目前而言是無可奈何的方法。不過，輪渡服務最大的問題在於乘客不斷減少，大幅加價只會令更多乘客卻步，結果只是飲鴆止渴。要解決渡輪服務的困境，關鍵始終在於開源及增加乘客。
渡輪公司可以善用碼頭及附近地區的設施和土地資源，發展商業服務以增加收入，例如在碼頭興建攤檔、商場和餐廳，甚至發展商用物業等。當局應為渡輪公司開源拆牆鬆綁，通過增加其他收入遏抑票價加幅。同時，本港離島的發展計劃多年來只聞樓梯響，當局應對各離島進行有系統、有規劃、各具特色的開發。搞活離島旅遊不僅可帶動離島經濟，更可為渡輪公司帶來龐大的客源，經營問題自然能夠迎刃而解。
Diversification is the solution to problems faced by ferry companies
The HKSAR government has announced the tender result of 6 ferry services to the Outlying Islands. First Ferry and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry will continue to operate the lines they are currently running but the fares will increase separately from 9.33% to 11.86%, and the fee for monthly tickets will also rise by 7%. Faced with rising operating costs and dwindling passenger numbers in recent years, ferry companies have to find new sources of income, otherwise, they may not be able to offset the pressure of rising costs. However, if they simply have the cost transferred onto the passengers and raise fares substantially, they will only end up losing more passengers, further trapped in a vicious circle.
Ferry services to the Outlying Islands have been under great pressure as the operations are confined to a single line of business which is affected heavily by the rises in both oil prices and wages in recent years. Some companies have already given up operating certain lines that incurred heavy losses. To keep ferry services in business, there seems no other ways but to allow ferry companies to increase fares. However, the crux of the problems of the ferry services is the fall in patronage. Increasing fares will further scare passengers away; it will only prove futile and fruitless. The key to all these problems ultimately lies in the ability of the ferry companies to create new sources of income and increase passenger number.
Ferry companies can start up commercial activities and increase income by making better use of the facilities and land resources on and around the piers. For instance, piers can be used to open stalls, malls and restaurants or even to develop commercial properties. The authorities should ease the red tape and make it more convenient for ferry companies to create new sources of income so that the rate of fare increase can be offset. Moreover, many years have gone by and the development plans for the Outlying Islands are still up in the air. The authorities should make detailed plans and develop the islands in a systematic way so as to give special characteristics to each of these islands. Revitalizing tourism on Outlying Islands will not only kick start the local economy but will also bring considerable patronage to ferry services. Operation problems for the ferry companies will subsequently disappear. ■Translation by 開明 chi.ming818@gmail.com
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