A resident of Cheung Chau who accused the transport chief of breaking a promise on ferry fares between Central and the island was granted a judicial review yesterday.
Kenny Kwok Cheuk-kin, chairman of the Cheung Chau neighbourhood association, says the commissioner for transport reneged on a written pledge to narrow the difference between Monday-to-Saturday fares and those on Sundays and public holidays to less than 20 per cent, half the existing gap.
But Kwok failed to persuade the court to impose an interim injunction to put on hold a Transport Department decision that allowed New World First Ferry, the ferry operator, a wider fare differential.
The review hearing will take place on August 26.
In the Court of First Instance yesterday, Kwok said his reasonable expectation had been 'destroyed' by the commissioner's failure to keep his promise, which Kwok said undermined the integrity and credibility of the government.
He wanted the court to quash the decision, announced on March 25, to set the maximum ordinary fare at HK$12.60 from Monday to Saturday and HK$18.40 on Sundays and holidays.
