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Poka
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Proposed ferry increase
Mar 9th, 2018 at 12:54pm
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Amy (not HKR?) is informing residents that DBTS is proposing to increase the ferry rates between 4.7%-21.8% with the highest increases towards t-cards, non-registered octopus cards, cash and the elderly (with registered octopus cards).

Nice to see that DBTS/HKR have not changed a bit with regard to transparency. Amy is organizing a meeting 15 March 7.30pm at the multi-purpose hall (behind fusion).

Fyi - the proposal was sent to the city owner’s committee (COC) where in a meeting on March 5 a motion to object to the fare increased was defeated, in part because 6 HKR group company representatives voted against the motion. While is normal circumstances this would be viewed as clear conflict of interest - this is DB where the COC chair did not view it as a conflict.

You decide.
  
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Otis The Tramp
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #1 - Mar 11th, 2018 at 8:44am
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We can't expect the COC to question HKR. The COC doesn't represent the residents of Discovery Bay, it represents a small subsection of owners, and the biggest of them is HKR.
  
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Poka
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #2 - Mar 12th, 2018 at 1:44am
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Unfortunately I believe that HKR chose to send the proposal to COC only. Don’t believe the proposal was ever provided to residents although I could be wrong.
  
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garmato
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #3 - Mar 15th, 2018 at 1:21pm
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The details are posted at http://www.amyung.org.hk/news.php?id=1200

Proposed increases

Registered Octopus
- Adult $32 -> $33.50 (+4.7%)
- Overnight $47 -> $50.50 (+7.4%)

- Senior $20 -> $23 (+15%)
- Overnight $36.50 -> $40 (+9.6%)

- Child $16 -> $16.80 (+5%)
- Overnight $31 -> $33.80 (+9%)

Octopus
- Adult $40 -> $46 (+15%)
- Overnight $47 -> $50.50 (+7.4%)

- Senior (same as registered)
- Overnight $36.50 -> $42.50 (+16.4%)

- Child $20 -> $23 (+15%)
- Overnight $36.50 -> $42.50 (+16.4%)

The T-Card is where there is 21.8% increase for seniors/children.

Compare T-Card fares

Package A
- Adult 37.8 pts = $32.94
- proposed 43.5 pts = $36.76 (+15.1%)
- overnight 55.6 pts = $47
- proposed 66.5 pts = $56.20 (19.6%)

- Senior/Child 18.9 pts = $15.97
- proposed 21.8 pts = $18.42 (+15.3%)
- overnight 36.7 pts = $31.02
- proposed 44.7 pts = $37.78 (+21.8%)

Package B
- now 37.8 pts = $34.87
- proposed 43.5 pts = $40.13 (+15.1%)
- overnight 55.6 pts = $51.30
- proposed 66.5 pts = $61.35 (19.6%)

- Senior/Child 18.9 pts = $17.43
- proposed 21.8 pts = $20.11 (+15.3%)
- overnight 36.7 pts = $33.85
- proposed 44.7 pts = $41.23 (+21.8%)
  
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Ger
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #4 - Mar 16th, 2018 at 8:15am
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Senior Octopus holders, registered or not registered, should be paying only $2.  Where does $20 come from?
  
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garmato
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #5 - Mar 17th, 2018 at 10:43am
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I don't know what the arrangement is but I'm guessing the government reimburses DBTSL $20 to $40.50 for each trip made by persons using the Elderly Octopus card.

Registered Octopus
- $18 -> $20
- overnight $34.50 -> $38
(15% and 9.6% increase)

Octopus
- $18 -> $20
- $34.50 -> $40.50
(15% and 16.4% increase)

It wouldn't make sense for DBTSL to voluntary offer $2 fare. HKR was quoted in SCMP before as stating that the child/senior fare hurt revenue.

They also stated EVERY YEAR they spend between $2 to 5 million PER VESSEL for maintenance and renovation work.

In 2010, they wrote off a $9.8 million vessel described as "damaged by fire beyond repair" and "no account has been taken of any insurance recovery".

In 2013, HKR stated they had suffered a loss exceeding $100 million operating the ferry service. The number of passengers using the ferry service was stated as an average of 11,000 passengers daily. It also expected to suffer losses in excess of $20 million every year.

Calls for Discovery Bay developer to reveal finances (2013)
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1194892/calls-discovery-bay-developer...

Discovery Bay ferry operator demands Hong Kong government subsidies to maintain quality service (2016)
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2051237/discovery-bay-ferry-o...

Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities
http://www.lwb.gov.hk/fare_concession/index_e.html#s9

This increase is a welcome change from HKR in that they have residents in mind when adjusting the fares. They even followed suggestions to use a tiered system for residents vs. visitors.

After seeing how they are applying for fare adjustments, I see no need to complain. It is a very reasonable request.

Fares for residents (registered Octopus):
Adults & children 12+ $33.50
Senior $2
Children <12 $16.80
  
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Ger
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #6 - Mar 17th, 2018 at 10:48pm
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Although it is well-known that the $2 is a government subsidy, my point is that it is misleading to state a senior fare of $20; at least the government subsidy should be noted in brackets.
  
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garmato
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #7 - Mar 17th, 2018 at 11:31pm
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Ger, fair point.

  
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Poka
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #8 - Mar 18th, 2018 at 5:50am
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Would be nice to know whether HKR is making a profit from running the bus service. There is a reason why there are less people taking the ferry vs buses.

Always feel that the bus and ferry services should be seen together with openness around the financials of such in order to make assessment whether fares are fair or not.
  
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Ger
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #9 - Mar 18th, 2018 at 11:39pm
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From the passenger's point of view it is connectability that matters.  Bus/MTR have faster connections across Hong Kong compared with the ferry which is basically good only for taxi passengers or those whose destination is close by in Central.
  
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Mike.q
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #10 - Apr 7th, 2018 at 1:10am
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Starting to get expensive.....over $40 ??
  
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TheDogzBollox
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #11 - Apr 7th, 2018 at 11:58am
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Expensive?  Seriously?  How far would you get on London’s public transport for a few pennies over 3 quid?  Or in Sydney for about 5 and half dollars?

Yes, it is relatively expensive compared to the MTR and buses, but for that meagre amount for a 30 minute, air conditioned, ferry ride, in an almost comfortable seat, with wifi (albeit a bit slow) still seems a bit if a bargain to me...
  
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Re: Proposed ferry increase
Reply #12 - Apr 8th, 2018 at 2:09am
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The trick is to live long enough to recoup all and more after 65.
  
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