Star Ferry "Day Star"

The new Star Ferry Piers in Central (Central Ferry Piers 7 and 8) opened in November 2006 after closure and subsequent demolition of the Edinburgh Place Star Ferry piers, some 300 metres distant, which had been built in 1957. Demolition was necessary to make way for the six-lane Central-Wanchai by-pass which is now under construction and due to be completed in 2018. The historic clock tower was dismantled with a government promise that it would be restored and displayed nearby and it remains to be seem whether this pledge is fulfilled.

During June 2011 the Harbourfront Commission announced a redevelopment plan for Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier which would involve adding an extra floor to the existing two-storey building and would increase retail space from 385 sq metres to 863 sq metres and provide an additional 1,472 sq metres of dining space. The plan includes a rooftop dining and viewing area with public access. The plan has been generally received as it preserves the original architectural design but no timetable for commencement and completion of the work has yet been announced.

Central Pier 7, location of Star Ferry pier on Hong Kong Island since 2006

The new piers are much more spacious than the old ones and have viewing decks and shops. Central Pier 7 has the prestigious Igors Watermark Restaurant with harbour views. Central Pier 8 which has been closed since relinquishment of Star Ferry's Hung Hom routes  (see below) is to be the new location for Hong Kong Maritime Museum which currently operates from leased premises at Murray House, Stanley until expiry of the lease in early 2012. The relocated museum is expected to open in 2013.

The piers at Tsim Sha Tsui and Wanchai are rather more austere but Wanchai Ferry Pier is to be rebuilt as part of works in connection with the Central- Wanchai By-pass.

On the Central to Tsim Tsa Tsui route both upper and lower decks are available to passengers but on the other three less heavily used routes only the upper deck is usually used except at very busy times.

Passengers on the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui route will probably find the journey on the upper deck more comfortable and spacious. However the lower deck allows more freedom to walk around the edge of the deck and is better for photography although diesel fumes on this deck from the engines can sometimes be unpleasant.

Star Ferry Upper Deck Interior

HUNG HOM ROUTES RELINQUISHMENT 2011

Patronage has suffered following relocation of the Central Star Ferry Pier and the Star Ferry currently carries about 38,000 passengers a day on its Central - Tsim Sha Tsui route (down by about 25% since pier relocation) and 20,000 a day on the Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui route. Future patronage is expected to be affected by two years of construction work from 2011 at the Star Ferry Bus Terminus site in Tsim Sha Tsui and redevelopment of Wan Chai Ferry Pier as part of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass infrastructure work. Star Ferry Company earns HK$3.3 million annually from two rooftop advertising billboards at Wan Chai Ferry Pier. Since January 2011 additional revenue has been generated by external advertising on the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier which has given the pier an unfamiliar look. Star Ferry has utilised profits from its two Tsim Sha Tsui routes to subsidise its Hung Hom routes but in September 2010 the company confirmed that in view of falling patronage, competition fron rail operators and harbourfront redevelopment it did not intend seeking renewal of its three-year licence to operate its two Hung Hom routes when the licence expired on 31st March 2011. The two routes, which Star Ferry have operated since 1999, were put out to tender by the government for the service to be maintained but no other operator expressed an interest.

STAR FERRY FLOATING RESTAURANT

In December 2011 The Star Ferry Company's owner, Wharf Holdings, confirmed proposals to convert one of its retired vessels into a floating fine dining restaurant in an attempt to increase its revenues. The lower deck would be converted into a kitchen and the upper deck would be the dining area. The restaurant would initially be located at a harbour pier but may later be moved to the new Central waterfront, currently under construction.

FARES AND SAILING FREQUENCIES 

Fares remained unaltered from 1997 until 2009. However, having been unable to absorb substantially increased costs and loss of revenue resulting from a 19% drop in passengers following relocation of the Star Ferry Pier in Central fare increases were approved and staged in two phases effective from 29 March 2009 and 1 January 2010. The increases applied to the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and the Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui routes and added 30 HK cents to the cost of weekday journeys and 80 HK cents to weekend and public holiday journeys. During 2011 the company put forward proposals for further fare increases on both routes owing to rising fuel costs. One proposal is to raise the weekday upper deck fare by 30 cents to HK$2.8 and weekend and public holiday fares by 60 cents to HK$3.6, whilst other proposal is to raise weekend and public holiday fares by 30 cents, provided the government compensates the company for the HK$5 million it loses by providing free rides for seniors. The proposals are currently being considered by the government.

Current adult fares for each route are detailed below. Children under 3 and seniors aged 65 and over (HKID Card or senior citizen card to be produced) can travel free. Concessionary fares of about 60%-70% of adult fare are available for children aged 3-12 and people with disabilities.


CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI (KOWLOON POINT);

Ferries operate at intervals of between 6 and 12 minutes from 06-30 to 23-30 daily.

FARE (SINCE1 JANUARY 2010);

Adult fares Monday - Friday HK$2.50 Upper Deck, HK$2 Lower Deck. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$3 Upper Deck, HK$2.40 Lower Deck.

Child fares Monday - Friday HK$1.50 Upper Deck, HK$1.40 Lower Deck, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$1.80 Upper Deck, HK$1.70 Lower Deck

Bicycles are not allowed on this route.

WAN CHAI TO TSIM SHA TSUI (KOWLOON POINT);

Ferries operate at intervals of between 8 and 20 minutes from 07-30 to 23-00 daily.

FARE (SINCE 1 JANUARY 2010);

Adult fares Monday - Friday HK$2.50 Upper Deck, HK$2 Lower Deck. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$3 Upper Deck, HK$2.40 Lower Deck.

Child fares Monday - Friday HK$1.50 Upper Deck, HK$1.40 Lower Deck, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$1.80 Upper Deck, HK$1.70 Lower Deck

Bicycles (max capacity 10) allowed on this route during non-peak hours. Currently carried free of charge (but in December 2011 plans were announced to introduce a charge of HK$20 per bicycle). 

Further timetable information can be obtained from the Star Ferry website;

http://www.starferry.com.hk/services.html


METHOD OF FARE PAYMENT - by Octopus Card, token or exact coins. Token vending machines are located on the approach to the turnstiles at each pier.

Star Ferry Token Machines. Fares can be paid by Octopus Card, exact coins or tokens

TOURIST TICKET

A special Tourist Ticket is available at a cost of HK$34 allowing four consecutive days unlimited travel on both the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui routes and on trams (not Peak Tram).


STAR FERRY'S HARBOUR TOUR

Star Ferry also operate the circular STAR FERRY HARBOUR TOUR daily in the specially adapted “Shining Star” ferry; 

http://www.starferry.com.hk/tour.html

Star Ferry "Shining Star" operating the Star Ferry Harbour Cruise