New transport set-up at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal helps passengers reach city centre faster, operator says
- Throughput rate rose by 94 per cent for guests arriving on Spectrum of the Seas, managing director Jeff Bent says
- New government measures include increased bus routes between terminal and various locations in city
Passengers disembarking at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal were able to board transport to the city centre this past weekend nearly twice as fast as before due to new measures, the operator of the port on Monday said.
Worldwide Cruise Terminals managing director Jeff Bent said the transport situation for guests arriving on Spectrum of the Seas on Saturday was much smoother compared with two weeks ago, when passengers were forced to wait for as long as 45 minutes for taxis or buses.
“We estimate the throughput rate increased by around 94 per cent,” Bent said.
Passengers were able to leave faster under the government’s new arrangements, which included increased bus routes between the terminal and various locations in Hong Kong, he added.
Bent stressed that the buses, especially the free shuttles between the Kai Tak MTR station and the terminal, were a “basic” necessity worth keeping.
But when asked who should pay for the bus services in the long run – the government, cruise companies or terminal operators – the managing director pointed out that air and seaports in the city were currently not responsible for transport arrangements.
He also called on authorities to consider developing the area near the terminal to include hotels, car parks and shopping centres so tourists could choose to stay there once they disembarked.
