The Star Ferry
is a passenger ferry service operator in Hong Kong, China.
Its principal routes carry passengers across the Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
The fleet of twelve ferries operates four routes across the harbour, carrying over 70,000 passengers a day, or 26 million a year. Even though there are now other ways to cross the harbour (by MTR and road tunnels), the Star Ferry continues to provide an efficient, popular and inexpensive mode of crossing the harbour. The company"s main route runs between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, which is what most people mean by "the Star Ferry" in common parlance. This route is also popular with tourists, and has become one of the icons of Hong Kong heritage in the eyes of tourists. From the ferry, one can take in the famous view of the harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.
History
The company was originally founded by Parsee Dorabjee Nowrojee as the "Kowloon Ferry Company" in 1888. He renamed it to "Star Ferry" in 1898, inspired by his love of Alfred Lord Tennyson"s poem "Crossing the Bar", of which the first line reads "Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!". In 1924 the Yaumati Ferry would monopolize the route to Kowloon in competition.
The Star Ferry makes a "star turn" in the 1950s film The World of Suzie Wong. In the beginning of the film, Robert Lomax (played by William Holden) debarks from the USS President Harrison (an old American President Line transpacific passenger vessel) and takes the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island, and on the ferry meets Suzie Wong (played by Nancy Kwan), who scorns his attentions as unwanted. The ferry itself is completely recognizable, and the layout of the pier where William Holden debarks in Kowloon is familiar to the resident or denizen of Tsim Sha Tsui, but missing are the giant shopping malls of today.
In 1966, a fare increase of 10 cents of the ferry sparked the 1966 Hong Kong Riots. Until the opening of the Cross Harbour Tunnel in 1972, the Star Ferry was the main means of public transportation between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon side.
On November 11, 2006, the end of an era was marked when the third generation pier in Central, the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, ended its mission, along with the big clock tower. The pier will be demolished to make way for reclamation.
Ferry routes and fares
The Star Ferry operates the following cross-harbour routes:
* Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, costing HK$1.7 for the lower deck, HK$2.2 for the upper deck
* Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui for HK$2.2
* Central to Hung Hom for HK$5.3
* Wan Chai to Hung Hom for HK$5.3
* Harbour Tour: a tourist cruise, making an indirect, circular route to all the stops, namely Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai, and Hung Hom. [2]
Fleet
There are currently 8 ships in the Star fleet with average age of the fleet at 44 years:
Star Ferry Fleet Name Year Built Builder Seats Notes
Morning Star (曉星號) 1965 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576 named for original Kowloon Ferry Company"s Morning Star (1888)
Day Star (晨星號) 1964 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576
Night Star (夜星號) 1963 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576 named for original Kowloon Ferry Company"s Night Star
Electric Star (電星號) 1933 retired in 1968
Golden Star (金星號) 1989 Wang Tak Engineering & Shipbuilding Ltd 762
World Star (世星號) 1989 Wang Tak Engineering & Shipbuilding Ltd 762
Celestial Star (天星號) 1956 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576 currently the oldest vessel in service
Twinkling Star (熒星號) 1964 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576
Silver Star (銀星號) 1965 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576
Glowing Star (耀星號) Hong Kong Shipyard 288 ex-British Army vessel delivered to Star Ferry in 2001 and its rental was ceased in 2005
Northern Star (北星號) 1959 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576
Meridian Star (午星號) 1958 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576
Solar Star (日星號) 1958 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576
Shining Star (輝星號) 1964 Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard 576 now used for the Star Ferry Harbour Tour (top sections were opened up)
Kowloon tug boat
Piers
* Star Ferry Pier, Central at Central District
o First Generation (1890) at junction of Ice House Street and Connaught Road Central
o Second Generation (1912) at Pedder Street, the present site of Jardine House
o Third Generation (1957) near Edinburgh Place
o Fourth Generation (2006) (Pier 7 and 8 of Central Ferry Piers) at Man Kwong Street
* Star Ferry Pier at Tsim Sha Tsui (1957)
* Hung Hom Pier
* Wan Chai Pier
All Ferry Schedule (PDF Format)
| Hung Hom To Central Service |
| Hung Hom
to Central | Central
to Hung Hom | Frequency
(minutes) | | Monday - Friday | | 7:00 a.m to 8:00 a.m | - | 20 | | 8:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m | 7:18 a.m to 9:18 a.m | 15 | | 10:00 a.m to 7:40 p.m | 9:18 a.m to 7:38 p.m | 20 | | | 7:38 p.m to 8:00 p.m | 22 | | | | | | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday | | 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m | 6:58 a.m to 6:38 p.m | 20 | | | 6:38 p.m to 7:00 p.m | 22 | | | | | |
| FARETABLE | | Adult | $5.30 | | Child (between 3 and 12 years old) | $2.70 | Passengers with disabilities
(upon production of Registration card for people with disabilities) | $2.70 | Passenger aged 65 or above
(upon production of HKID or senior citizen card) | Free | | Monthly ticket | $260.00 | | Tourist ticket (4days) | $54.00 | | Bicycle(per bicycle) | $10.60 | | |
| Hung Hom To Wanchai Service |
| Hung Hom
to Wanchai | Wanchai
to Hung Hom | Frequency
(minutes) | | Monday - Friday | | 6:56 a.m to 7:36 a.m | 7:08 a.m to 7:48 a.m | 20 | | 7:36 a.m to 9:36 a.m | 7:48 a.m to 9:48 a.m | 15 | | 9:36 a.m to 7:56 p.m | 9:48 a.m to 7:48 p.m | 20 | | | 7:48 p.m to 8:10 p.m | 22 | | | | | | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday | | 6:56 a.m to 6:16 p.m | 7:08 a.m to 6:28 p.m | 20 | | 6:16 p.m to 7:00 p.m | 6:28 p.m to 6:50 p.m | 22 | | | 6:50 a.m to 7:10 p.m | 20 | |
| FARETABLE | | Adult | $5.30 | | Child (between 3 and 12 years old) | $2.70 | Passengers with disabilities
(upon production of Registration card for people with disabilities) | $2.70 | Passenger aged 65 or above
(upon production of HKID or senior citizen card) | Free | | Monthly ticket | $260.00 | | Tourist ticket (4days) | $54.00 | | Bicycle(per bicycle) | $10.60 | | |
| Wanchai To Tsim Sha Tsui Service |
| Wanchai
to Tsim Sha Tsui | Tsim Sha Tsui
to Wanchai | Frequency
(minutes) | | Monday - Saturday | | | 7:20 a.m to 7:30 a.m | 10 | | 7:30 a.m to 7:52 a.m | 7:30 a.m to 7:41 a.m | 11 | | 7:52 a.m to 9:12 a.m | 7:41 a.m to 9:00 a.m | 8 | | 9:12 a.m to 4:48 p.m | 9:00 a.m to 4:36 p.m | 12 | | 4:48 p.m to 6:24 p.m | 4:36 p.m to 6:12 p.m | 8 | | 6:24 p.m to 8:00 p.m | 6:12 p.m to 7:36 p.m | 12 | | 8:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m | 7:36 p.m to 10:50 p.m | 20 | | Sunday and Public Holiday | | 7:40 a.m to 1:00 p.m | 7:30 a.m to 12:50 p.m | 20 | | 1:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m | 12:50 p.m to 7:00 p.m | 12 | | 7:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m | 7:00 p.m to 10:50 p.m | 20 | |
| FARETABLE | | Adult | $2.20 | | Child (between 3 and 12 years old) | $1.30 | Passengers with disabilities
(upon production of Registration card for people with disabilities) | $1.30 | Passenger aged 65 or above
(upon production of HKID or senior citizen card) | Free | | Monthly ticket | $110 | | Tourist ticket (4days) | $30 | | Bicycle(per bicycle) | - | | |
| Central To Tsim Sha Tsui Service |
| Central
to Tsim Sha Tsui | Tsim Sha Tsui
to Central | Frequency
(minutes) | | Monday - Friday | | 6:30 a.m to 7:25 a.m | 6:30 a.m to 7:15 a.m | 10/12 | | 7:25 a.m to 9:55 a.m | 7:15 a.m to 9:45 a.m | 6 | | 9:55 a.m to 8:40 p.m | 9:45 a.m to 8:30 p.m | 6/8 | | 8:40 p.m to 11:30 p.m | 8:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m | 10/12 | | Saturday | | 6:30 a.m to 7:25 a.m | 6:30 a.m to 7:15 a.m | 10/12 | | 7:25 a.m to 10:40 p.m | 7:15 a.m to 10:30 p.m | 6/8 | | 10:40 p.m to 11:30 p.m | 10:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m | 10/12 | | Sunday and Public Holiday | | 6:30 a.m to 7:25 a.m | 6:30 a.m to 7:15 am | 10/12 | | 7:25 a.m to 10:40 p.m | 7:15 a.m to 10:30 p.m | 6/8 | | 10:40 p.m to 11:30 p.m | 10:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m | 10/12 | |
| FARETABLE | | Upper Deck | | | Adult | $2.20 | | Child (between 3 and 12 years old) | $1.30 | Passengers with disabilities
(upon production of Registration card for people with disabilities) | $1.30 | | Lower Deck | | | Adult | $1.70 | | Child (between 3 and 12 years old) | $1.20 | Passengers with disabilities
(upon production of Registration card for people with disabilities) | $1.20 | Passenger aged 65 or above
(upon production of HKID or senior citizen card) | Free | | Monthly ticket | $110 | | Tourist ticket (4days) | $30 | | Bicycle(per bicycle) | - | | |
Notes to Ferry Passengers | (1) | Do not board or alight when gangplanks are not lowered. | | (2) | Passengers should board or alight at specified gangplanks only. | | (3) | Beware of a moving gangplank while boarding or alighting. | | (4) | Do not stand on upper deck or staircase. Remain seated when the ferry is berthing. | | (5) | Do not put any part of your body out through the bulwark. | | (6) | Keep the pier and ferry clean. | | (7) | Do not eat or drink in the air-conditioned cabin. | | (8) | Do not smoke at pier and on board on a ferry. | | (9) | Only parcels or luggage of sizes less than or equal to 40cm x 40cm x 17.5cm are allowed on board. | | (10) | Do not bring any animal or poultry onto the ferry. | | (11) | Tender exact fare when using an auto-turnstile. | | (12) | Two children with heights less than 95cm, accompanied by a fare-paying passenger and not occupying a seat can travel free of charge on regular services. | | (13) | Senior citizens at or over the age of 65 are allowed to travel free of charge by showing an I.D. or a senior citizen card before entering the yellow turnstile. | | (14) | The scheduled ferry frequency may be adjusted subject to harbour traffic conditions. | | (15) | Passengers should not board a ferry when it is full or reaches its licensed capacity. | | (16) | Passengers should not lay down or put their feet on the seats. | | (17) | Passengers should keep clear of shipsides, mooring bollards and ropes while mooring operations are in progress. | | | The following additional notes are only applicable to Hung Hom to / from Central or Wanchai Services: | | (18) | Bicycles without loading are allowed on board. (Lower-deck only) | | (19) | A passenger purchasing a monthly ticket is required to submit his or her recent photo. Monthly ticket holders must show the chopped ticket to the inspector before entering the yellow turnstile. | |
| Ferry Booking |
| Ferry Hire Day | Monday - Friday | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday | | Available Booking Time | 11:00a.m. - 3:30p.m. (HK$3,200/hr up) | 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m. (HK$4,000/hr up) | | | 8:45p.m. - 10:45p.m.
(HK$3,200/hr up) | 3:15p.m. - 10:45p.m. (HK$4,000/hr up) | | * Minimum hiring period: 2 hours | *Catering services and supplies can be provided at costs.
*7-day advance booking is highly recommended.
*A deposit of 30% is required for reservation.
*The above prices are applicable to private hire only, and they are not applicable to commercial hire.
*Booking is subject to the terms and conditions. In case of any disputes, the "Star" Ferry Company, Limited reserves the rights of final decision on matters concerning the offers. | | |
| | | Capacity : | Maximum 300 persons | | Route : | Harbour Cruise, Tsing-Ma bridge, etc. | | Embark : | Star Ferry Piers (Tsimshatsui / Central / Wanchai / Hunghom) | | Facilities : | Microphones, Multi-purpose activity area, Air-conditioned compartment, Television, Enlarged sightseeing windows, Buffet tables, VCD/DVD machines, Drawing box and Portable tables. | | Note: | You have to bring with your own CDs, VCDs and DVDs. | | Inquiry Hotlines: | 21186120 or 21186203 | |
| Operational Infomation (For Franchised Services Only) |
|
| 1 | Number of ferry routes operated (as at ended 2005) | 2 routes |
| 2 | Fleet size (as at ended 2005) | 8 ferries |
| 3 | Total fleet capacity (as at ended 2005) | 4,395 persons |
| 4 | Service availability (as at ended 2005) | 95.6% |
| | (actual/scheduled vessel allocation) | |
| 5 | Fleet utilization (as at ended 2005) | 87.5% |
| | (actual vessel allocation/fleet size) | |
| 6 | Average age of fleet (as at ended 2005) | 45 years |
| 7 | Number of passengers carried (as at ended 2005) | |
| | Annual total : | 26.6 million persons |
| | Daily average : | 73,350 persons |
| 8 | Total distance travelled (as at ended 2005) | |
| | Annual total : | 290,063 km |
| | Daily average : | 795km |
| 9 | Lost trips (trips lost/schedules trips)(as at end 2005) | 1.3% |
| 10 | Incidents of vessel breakdown (as at ended 2005) | 13 cases |
| 11 | Accidents (as at ended 2005) | |
| | Number of incidents reported to Marine Department | 4 cases |
| | Number of collision incidents involving passenger injury | 1 case |
| | Number of incidents involving floating refuses | 0 case |
| 12 | Number of complaints reported to Transport Complaint Unit (as at ended 2005) | 7 cases |
| 13 | Social Services (as at ended 2005) | |
| | The Company supported the charities to promote their charitable campaigns, offered non-profit making groups 16 light-boxes to display their 4-sheet posters free of charges. Besides, the Company assisted 37 overseas filming teams in producing videos for the promotion of Hong Kong’s international image. The Company was granted the Caring Company logo by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. | |
| 14 | Service improvement (as at ended 2005) | |
| | - Strengthened cost control and personnel management measures | |
| | - Strengthened the training on customer services | |
| | - Strengthened the training on navigation safety | |
| | - Strengthened improvement on the pier and ferry facilities | |
| | - Assigned a designated contractor to upkeep the cleanliness of pier toilets | |
| | - Improve the safety message broadcast system on vessels and piers | |
| | Note: DAB granted Star Ferry the championship in its Public Transport Service Performance Survey 2005. | |
| Profit & Loss Account (For Franchised Services Only) | | Revenue | | (HK$"000) | | | Fare Receipts | 48,863 | | | Other Income | 23,014 |  | | | | | Total Revenue | 71,877 | | Operating Costs | | | | | Staff Costs | 42,901 | | | Repairs & Maintenance | 10,942 | | | Other Expenses | 11,223 | | | | | | Total Operating Costs | 65,066 | | | | | Profit Before Taxation | | 6,811 | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Fixed Assets (For Franchised Services Only) |
| | Terminal Buildings | Launches & Launch equip. | Plant & Furniture | Total |
| Cost or Valuation | (HK$"000) | (HK$"000) | (HK$"000) | (HK$"000) |
| At 1st Jan., 2005 | 810 | 46,071 | 7,037 | 53,918 |
| Additions | - | - | 39 | 39 |
| |
| At 31st Dec., 2005 | 810 | 46,071 | 7,076 | 53,957 |
| Aggregate Depreciation | | | | |
| At 1st Jan., 2005 | 810 | 41,397 | 6,972 | 49,179 |
| Charge for 2005 | - | 1,699 | 73 | 1,772 |
| |
| At 31st Dec., 2005 | 810 | 43,096 | 7,045 | 50,951 |
| Net Book Value | | | | |
| At 31st Dec., 2005 | - | 2,975 | 31 | 3,006 |
| |
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| |
| At 31st Dec., 2004 | - | 4,674 | 65 | 4,739 |
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