Hong Kong’s Transport Department has proposed new fare arrangements for six major outlying islands ferry routes from 1 April 2026. The changes are linked to a plan to extend the current five-year licences to a new term running until 31 March 2031. The proposal includes fare increases on several routes and new fare structures on two services that will move to fast ferry operations only.
Proposed 12.5% Fare Hike For Cheng Chau, Lamma, Inter-Islands Routes
The six routes covered are Central–Cheung Chau, Central–Mui Wo, the inter-islands service linking Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau, Central–Peng Chau, Central–Yung Shue Wan, and Central–Sok Kwu Wan.
Under the proposed Transport Department plan, single tickets and freight charges on Central–Cheung Chau, the inter-islands route, Central–Yung Shue Wan, and Central–Sok Kwu Wan would rise by 12.5%.
Multi-ride tickets on these services would also increase, but at a lower level, with most multi-ride products set to rise by 8% (including monthly passes and same day tickets).
Mui Wo And Peng Chau To Switch To Fast-Ferry-Only With Unified Fares
For Central–Mui Wo and Central–Peng Chau, the proposal includes a service change and a fare restructure.
Both routes would run as fast ferry services only from 1 April 2026. Adult single fares would also be unified, meaning passengers pay one adult fare rather than choosing between different prices.
The proposed unified adult single fare for Central–Mui Wo is $33.5 on weekdays and $48.5 on Sundays and public holidays.
For Central–Peng Chau, the proposed unified adult single fare is $31.9 on weekdays and $46.6 on Sundays and public holidays. The proposal notes that these unified fares are lower than current fast ferry fares by about $0.4 to $0.6 for Mui Wo and about $5.0 to $7.7 for Peng Chau.
The Transport Department said it has reviewed current performance and considers the overall service level broadly satisfactory. Apart from a small timing adjustment proposed for two weekday sailings on the Central–Peng Chau route, service levels are expected to remain broadly unchanged at the start of the new licence period.
Header Image Credits: LN9267 via Wikimedia Commons