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■天星小輪提出明年元月起調高尖沙咀來往中環及灣仔兩條航線的票價。 資料圖片
天星小輪提出明年元月起調高尖沙咀來往中環及灣仔兩條航線的票價，加幅介乎10%至22%，若當局能每年資助逾500萬元，補貼該公司提供的長者優惠，則可將平日票價凍結。事實上，本港過去從來沒有為交通機構提供現金補貼，假如當局為渡輪開現金補貼的先例，將來巴士、小巴、港鐵等隨時可以同樣的理據去要求補貼，當局將難以應付。
天星小輪與其他交通機構的不同之處，除了為過海市民提供一個廉宜的交通服務之外，亦以廉宜的費用飽覽維港兩岸美景，是不少港人及遊客喜愛的旅遊景點。加上渡輪服務在上下班高峰期時，有助將其他交通工具的過海人流疏導出來，減輕紅隧的擠塞問題，符合社會整體利益。
自天星小輪碼頭搬遷至離中環市中心較遠的地區後，乘客要到新碼頭極不方便，當局應加強新碼頭的連接配套，例如可以天橋、行人道等將新碼頭與中環各個中心點連接起來，方便市民到達。同時，當局也可彈性地將碼頭周邊的土地撥予小輪公司發展各種商業、展覽等用途，積極開拓更多非票務收入以紓緩成本上漲的壓力，保障小輪公司的營運。
Ferry company should be allowed new sources of revenue, not cash subsidy
The Star Ferry Company Limited has proposed a fare raise in January next year for the two ferry services, from Tsimshatsui to Central as well as to Wanchai, with an increase ranging from 10% to 22%. It was also suggested that the fare for weekday journeys may be frozen if the government can give cash reimbursement of more than HK$5 million a year to cover the elderly concessions offered by the company. As a matter of fact, there has never been any subsidy in cash given to a public transport operator in Hong Kong. If the government sets a precedent by giving cash reimbursement to the Star Ferry, operators of other modes of public transport such as the bus, minibus and MTR, may also ask for subsidies on the same grounds, which is a situation difficult for the government to tackle.
The Star Ferry differs from other modes of transport in that it provides not only a cheap transport service for local citizens to cross the harbour, but also an inexpensive way to enjoy the beautiful waterfront scenery of the Victoria Harbour. It is itself a tourist attraction favoured by many Hong Kong people and tourists alike. What's more, the ferry services absorb some of the cross harbour traffic which would have been borne by other modes of transport during peak hours, and help to alleviate the congestion problem at the Hong Kong Cross Harbour Tunnel. The ferry in fact serves the overall interests of Hong Kong.
Since the Star Ferry pier was moved to the present location which is further away from the hub of Central, passengers find it very inconvenient travelling to the pier. The government should increase the accessibility to the pier by building different support facilities such as footbridges and pedestrian pathways that link the pier to various focal points in Central so that people can get there more easily. The government should also be more flexible and have lands near the pier be allocated to the ferry operator for development in commercial and exhibition purposes. This will allow the ferry company to actively explore additional non-fare revenue to offset the pressure of rising costs and to sustain the operation of the ferry services. ■Translation by 東明 tungming23@gmail.com
逢周五見報
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