In such a fast paced city, finding pieces of ‘Old Hong Kong’ is difficult. But back in 2016 the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry company launched something interesting – a return of Hong Kong’s cross harbour car ferries, to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the service being launched.
Photo via EJ Insight
EJ Insight has more details of the event.
Nostalgic Hongkongers have a chance to relive a time when ferries were the only means to get a car across the harbor.
Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Co. Ltd. will offer sailings on May 14 and 22 to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the service, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reports, citing a Facebook post.
Harbour Cruise — Bauhinia will operate six ferries on those days, four between North Point and Kwun Tong.
People born in 1933 or March 6 can board free of charge or pay HK$80 for their car.
Adults will be charged HK$100 each and children HK$60. Snacks will be served on board.
Hong Kong Ferry said tickets for vehicle slots are sold out, adding it is planning more sailings to meet demand, pending approval from marine authorities.
Until the opening of the Cross Harbour Tunnel in 1972 the only way for vehicles to cross Victoria Harbour was by ferry. Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry launched their vehicular ferry service back in 1933 to cater for the new mode of transport, with the service continuing until 1998, when competition from road tunnels led it becoming uneconomic.
The bulk of the car ferries have been retired, with one ending up in Australia, but some have been converted into party boats used on the Harbour Cruise Bauhinia.
While others are still in service, conveying dangerous goods vehicles between North Point on Hong Kong Island, Kwun Tong in Kowloon, and Mui Wo on Lantau Island.
Which made reintroducing the service easy to do, given the car ferries were still in service.
Photo by Edmond Tang, China Daily
Sources
- Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry at Wikipedia
- Cruising down memory lane at China Daily
- Car ferries return for two days to relive the past at EJ Insight
- After 18 years, the car ferry has returned at Apple Daily (Chinese language)
