Hong Kong approves Star Ferry fare rises of up to HK$1.80 from January
Fares on two cross-harbour routes are scheduled to rise on January 25, 2027, with adult weekend tickets capped at HK$8.30 and monthly tickets unchanged.
Hong Kong announced on October 21 that it had approved higher Star Ferry fares for its Central–Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai–Tsim Sha Tsui routes. The increases, approved by the Chief Executive in Council on October 13, are scheduled to take effect on January 25, 2027. Weekend journeys will cost up to HK$1.80 more, raising the adult fare cap to HK$8.30.
How Star Ferry fares will change
Weekday single-trip fares will increase by HK$0.60 to HK$1.00, with adult tickets capped at HK$6. Weekend fares will increase by HK$1.00 to HK$1.80, with adult tickets capped at HK$8.30. The changes apply to both of the operator’s franchised cross-harbour routes, linking Tsim Sha Tsui with Central and Wan Chai. The monthly ticket will stay at HK$190, limiting the increase for passengers who use it regularly.
Star Ferry had sought larger increases of HK$0.80 to HK$2.00 per trip. The South China Morning Post reported that the operator applied in March and last raised fares in 2023. The government said it reduced the requested increase after weighing passenger affordability against the operator’s financial position. The approved weekday increases are lower than those for weekend journeys.
Why Hong Kong approved the increase
The government said it considered Star Ferry’s finances, projected costs and revenue, service performance, public acceptability and efforts to save costs and broaden its income. It described the operator’s service as satisfactory, pointing to upgrades including electronic payment options. Those assessments formed part of its decision to approve an increase smaller than the company had requested.
Star Ferry recorded marginal profits in 2024 and 2025, according to the government. Officials expect it to return to losses from 2026, citing slow patronage growth, limited scope for further cost cuts, higher operating expenses and interest on its debt. Dim Sum Daily reported the government’s account that the operator accumulated losses exceeding HK$100 million between 2018 and 2023 and relied on borrowing to sustain services during the COVID-19 downturn.
The government said the fare adjustment was needed to help maintain service quality, while urging Star Ferry to seek more income beyond ticket sales for its longer-term finances. An amendment setting out the revised maximum fares is scheduled to be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 28 for negative vetting. The approved increases remain scheduled for January; passengers are not yet paying the new fares.
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Sources and context
- Star Ferry fares to rise by up to HK$1.80 from JanuarySouth China Morning Post
- Government approves moderated Star Ferry fare rise taking effect in January 2027Dim Sum Daily
- Star Ferry fare hikes approvedHong Kong Government News
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.