Consultation on outlying island services
The government will consult the public next year on a proposal to buy back loss-making outlying island ferry services, in what would be a big shift of public transport policy, a senior government source says.
The government has had a clear stance not to subsidise any transport, even in times of financial turmoil. When the oil price peaked at US$140 a barrel, and ferry operators demanded up to 50 per cent more on fares because of severe deficits, it never changed its position of not interfering in the market.
However, as ferry services become less sustainable businesses, but remain an irreplaceable method of transport for those living on remote islands, the government is seeking to find out what the public thinks about a change.
'The consultation would not just be confined to islanders, but also people living in remote areas in the New Territories and those who don't use ferry services,' said the government source. 'It would include anyone who would ask why the government should give outlying island residents privileged use of their money.'
The consultation - scheduled to be held by next June - would call for public opinion on a plan for the government to buy back vessels from operators of the outlying island ferry services, and then contract the services back to them for management.
