Sun Ferry Central - Cheung Chau Route

The Xin Chao vessel running on this route was departing Central Pier 5 (January 2023)

## Route information

### Travelling time

Ordinary Ferry: Approx. 55-60mins
Fast ferry: Approx.35-40mins

## Operational information

### Previous operator(s)

Hong Kong and New Territories Ferry Company (1925-1938)
Yaumati Ferry (1938-2000)

## Service hours

### Headways

Fixed headways

The **Sun Ferry Central - Cheung Chau Route** is an Outlying Island Route operated by Sun Ferry. It runs between Central Pier 5 and Cheung Chau Ferry Pier.

Among all Outlying Island ferries, this route has the most outstanding ridership and the most frequent headways. It is also the local ferry route with the longest service hours.

## History

### Pre-war era

On 9 November 1925, the Government granted a ferry licence to the Hong Kong and New Territories Ferry Company, operated by businessman Lee Yu-chuen, which included a route between Sheung Wan and Cheung Chau for a period of 10 years.

In September 1938, the Hong Kong Government invited tenders for a New Territories ferry franchise, which was awarded to Yaumati Ferry on 29 October, with this route taking over on 6 November. On 7 September 1939, outlying island ferries revised their timetable and increased their sailings to eight.

### During the Japanese occupation

When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong in December 1941, the Cheung Chau route and other Hong Kong ferry services were completely suspended. After the war, there was a heavy flow of industrial, commercial and agricultural products from all over the world, such as industrial products from Mui Wo and Peng Chau such as matches, as well as agricultural products from Mui Wo, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau. The public requested the Administration to reinstate the New Territories routes for the transport of agricultural products to Honkon-tō (Hong Kong Island). After careful consideration, the Cheung Chau route was resumed in March 1942.

The feasibility of extending the Hong Kong-Mui Wo route to Cheung Chau was then raised. Minister Takamatsu of the Transport Department of the Governor's Department indicated in 1942 that he planned to resume the Cheung Chau ferry service by extending the Hong Kong-Mui Wo route to Cheung Chau, with a direct link from Peng Chau to Cheung Chau; the Government later announced on 19 January 1943 that the Cheung Chau direct ferry service would be resumed in the near future, and the service was eventually extended from Mui Wo to Cheung Chau on 1 February.

* 5 July 1943: The original 11:00 service from Hong Kong to Cheung Chau and 14:00 service from Cheung Chau to Hong Kong was changed to provide service at 07:30 from Cheung Chau to Hong Kong and 16:45 from Hong Kong to Cheung Chau.
* October 1943: All sailings were berthed in Hong Kong at Kwong Wing Ferry Pier opposite to the entrance of Gilman Street.
* 22 February 1944: In view of the high volume of agricultural exports and the large number of commercial passengers, the service was substantially modified:
	+ The number of sailings was changed to 10 per month and the frequency was reduced to two; the frequency was 07:30 from Cheung Chau to Hong Kong and 16:00 from Hong Kong to Cheung Chau.
	+ The sailing time was changed to single day departure and double day return.
	+ The sailing date was changed to every 3 days from Cheung Chau to Hong Kong on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 27th and 30th of each month and from Hong Kong to Cheung Chau on the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 22nd, 25th and 28th of each month.
* 12 March 1944: In view of the "household survey", the service was suspended on that day together with the Hong Kong to Tai O route.
* 25 March 1944: Service was changed to Monday to Saturday only and suspended on Sundays.
* 28 May 1944: Service on this route and the Hong Kong to Tai O route was suspended due to sailing adjustments.
* 10 June 1944: Service resumed and was changed to operate every second day.
* 9 November 1944: Service on this route and the Hong Kong to Tai O route was again suspended due to sailing adjustment.
* 22 December 1944: Service resumed as on 22 February 1944.

### Post-war developments

After the peace in August 1945, the service commenced on 17 August and was changed to operate once every two days, and the frequency was adjusted on the 17th of the same month and was changed to operate from Hong Kong to Cheung Chau on both days and from Cheung Chau to Hong Kong on one day; the service was suspended again on 22 August and resumed again on 23 November, with the frequency increased to eight.

* 21 April 1946: The following arrangements were put in place:
	+ The sailings were reduced to three;
	+ Additional detours via Yung Shue Wan and additional direct ferry services were introduced.
* 1 November 1948: Detours via Yung Shue Wan were cancelled due to unsatisfactory ridership.

### Introducing direct sailings and expanding passenger sources

As the Central-Cheung Chau route detoured via Peng Chau and Mui Wo, it takes more than two hours to reach Cheung Chau, which has aroused dissatisfaction among the residents. In order to facilitate transport to Cheung Chau, Yaumati Ferry (YMFF) proposed in 1948 to increase the frequency of direct flights, and the Cheung Chau Residents' Association (CCRA) had repeatedly requested for the provision of direct flights.

However, the ferry company pointed out that direct services had been provided before the war, but after the war, due to the fisheries control system, all fisheries products were carried by the vessels of the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Yau Ma Tei Ferry had lost its huge cargo revenue, and it would definitely suffer a loss if direct services were to be provided; however, it endeavoured to find a way to solve the problem in order to respond to the aspirations of the residents of Cheung Chau. The Cheung Chau Residents' Association met with the District Officer Whitfield on 10 October to request for more direct services, and HYF agreed to provide direct services in the mornings and afternoons every day. Starting from 18 September 1949, additional direct services were introduced on Sundays and public holidays, departing from Vehicular Ferry Pier at 08:50hrs.

Changes made during the same time period
* 28 October 1951: A special sailing was added between Cheung Chau and Wilmer Street, Sheung Wan.
* 22 October 1952: The berthing position at Cheung Chau was relocated to the public pier.
* 26 October 1952: Some special trips between Cheung Chau and Willmer Street, Sheung Wan called additionally at Aberdeen.
* 28 April 1960: The berthing position at Cheung Chau was relocated to a covered pier.
* 9 May 1960: Arrangement to detour via Chi Ma Wan was added.
* 28 June 1964: the following arrangement was implemented:
	+ All sailings observe Peng Chau and Mui Wo;
	+ The independent fixed non-stop service to Cheung Chau was cancelled and replaced it with irregular extra trips only when the passenger volume increased.
* 21 November 1964: The Central berthing position was relocated to the west of the Central Harbour Services Ferry Pier.
* 27 August 1966: The Central berthing position was relocated to the Outlying Islands Ferry Piers.

### Increase in population prompts entire direct sailings

The special service between Cheung Chau and Wilmer Street, Sheung Wan was cancelled on 1 April 1969 due to the continuous growth of the population in Cheung Chau and the outlying islands, the increasing demand for transport from the residents, the failure of the timetable to meet the actual needs, and the decline in the number of fresh fish carried by vessels and the number of passengers travelling between Cheung Chau and the Western District of the Hong Kong Island.

In 1972, Yaumati Ferry planned to substantially revise the frequency of its outlying island routes, including the Peng Chau and Mui Wo to Cheung Chau routes, and at the same time increase the frequency of its direct sailings, with a 60-minute interval on weekdays and a 30-minute interval on holidays. Negotiations with the Outlying Islands Rural Committee (OIRC) for this purpose were held on a number of occasions and were generally agreed.

The plan was endorsed by the Transport Department in March 1973 and by the Auxiliary Secretary in May after confirmation by the District Office and Yaumati Ferry's full direct service on Sundays and Public Holidays, via inter-island services, commenced on 1 July after consultation with representatives of the Marine Department, the Transport Department, the Islands District Office, the Auxiliary Secretary, the Public Works Department and the Marine Police in June. A new route was introduced for the new Inter-Islands Ferry Route between Cheung Chau, Chi Ma Wan, Mui Wo and Peng Chau, and a new Monday to Saturday service was introduced for the three-tier ferry service. On 19 November of the same year, the weekday frequency of the outlying islands route was revised to provide full direct services.

* April 1975: Depending on the actual situation and passenger demand, special direct sailings from Central at 09:15 and 11:45 and from Cheung Chau at 17:00 and 19:30 were added on public holidays.

#### Hoverferry Services

Yaumati Ferry expected that the in-harbour ferry routes could be deployed to the outlying islands route after the opening of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), but after the opening of the MTR, the patronage on the in-harbour routes increased, making it impossible for the vessels to be deployed. Benefiting from Yaumati Ferry's order of hovercraft which arrived in Hong Kong in 1980, one of them was deployed to this route on a trial basis from 1 August, sailing Monday to Friday only. The service was finally cancelled on 4 November 1981 as the population of Cheung Chau residents fell short of the target and the need for hoverferry service on some routes in the urban area necessitated the redeployment of the service to the Central - Tuen Mun Route to enhance its frequency.

After a round of preparations, the hoverferry re-entered Cheung Chau on 2 November 1987 to operate between the eastern side of the Government Pier opposite the Harbour Building during non-peak hours from Monday to Friday for a three-month trial period, after which the service would be reviewed with the Transport Department, with the intention of introducing additional peak-hour and night-time sailings subject to satisfactory response.  In view of the higher speed of hovercraft, the need for captains to obtain higher class licences, MD's ban on sailing after sunset to protect passenger safety, and insufficient patronage, HYF has no intention to introduce additional night-time services, stressing that it is not possible for the company to satisfy all the passengers' requests, and pointing out that night-time services of hovercrafts only involve the interests of a small group of people, which is unfair to the ferry company, and that the company can only introduce additional frequency of hovercrafts on a trial basis in the off-peak hours to tie in with ordinary ferry services. If the response was favourable, the hoverferry service would be upgraded to a permanent service.

Some people in the Islands District wanted to extend the hoverferry service from off-peak hours to Sundays and holidays, but HYF pointed out that it would be difficult to deploy hoverferries from other routes, and that hoverferry service for outlying island routes was an additional service specially designed to save time for the local residents, which would be more costly. Subsequently, the Islands District Council requested to enhance the hoverferry service between Central and the outlying islands and to extend the service to Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

* 1995: The berthing position at Central was changed to tie in with Central Reclamation Phase I;
	+ 9 May: Berthing position of ordinary ferries was relocated to Pier 7.
	+ 18 May: Berthing position of hoverferries was relocated to Pier 6.
* 28 February 1998: Saturday morning service was added for hoverferry services.

26 July 1998: High-speed ferries implemented the following arrangements:

* + A new weekday departure at 07:00 from Cheung Chau was added;
	+ The original 100-seater hoverferry was fully replaced by a 198-seater catamaran.
* 26 September 1998: Aadditional fast ferry services on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and Public Holidays were added.
* Christmas 1998, New Year's Day and Lunar New Year 1999: High-speed ferry service to and from Cheung Chau via Yung Shue Wan was provided.

### Changed to licenced operations

Following the failure of the negotiation on the development above the four piers on the Central Reclamation in 1998, the Government decided to invite open tenders for the outlying islands, new towns and inner harbour ferry routes, and Yaumati Ferry was eventually granted a licence to operate ferry services for Outlying Islands Route Groups 1 and 2 and Inner Harbour Route Group D. The Government has been working closely with HYF on the development of the outlying islands and the inner harbour routes.

* 1 April 1999: Yaumati Ferry's franchise was resumed by the Government and converted to licensed operation with the following changes:
	+ The frequency was increased by 83 to while all sailings were direct to Central and Cheung Chau;
		- Departures from Cheung Chau at 08:00 and 20:30 on weekdays were upgraded to fast ferry services.
		- The extra sailings at 12:00 from Central and 16:00, 20:00 from Cheung Chau on weekdays was changed to a regular basis.
	+ The berthing position of ordinary ferry at Central was relocated to the east berth of Pier 6.

However, after the implementation of the new timetable for the outlying island routes, the ferry services were plagued with chaos. After reviewing the arrangement with the ferry operators, TD implemented an interim improvement measure on 7 April to increase the number of scheduled trips from Cheung Chau during the morning peak period to cope with the demand. Subsequently, Yaumati Ferry revised the timetable of the Cheung Chau service twice, on 10 May and 1 August, after surveying passengers' views on the revised timetable.

On 15 January 2000, Yaumati Ferry's passenger service ended and the 00:30 departure from Central on this route, the Mui Wo route and the Peng Chau route became Yaumati Ferry's last ever passenger ferry service.

### Change of operator

New World First Ferry (now renamed Sun Ferry) took over the operation of its eight licensed ferry routes at midnight on 15 January 2000, with the 01:30 departure of the Central - Cheung Chau route becoming the first passenger-carrying ferry in the history of New World First Ferry, with Ying Hui II (英輝二號) as the vessel.

* 26 November 2001: To meet passenger demand, the frequency between 19:30 and before 23:45 on Mondays to Saturdays was rationalised:
	+ Sailings from Central between 19:00 and 23:30 and from Cheung Chau between 20:00 and 23:30 was changed to every 30 minutes;
	+ The ordinary ferry sailing from Cheung Chau at 19:15 was cancelled;
	+ The fast ferry sailing from Cheung Chau at 19:45 was changed to ordinary ferry;
	+ Sailings after 19:00 is operated by two 3-deck ordinary ferries and two 400-seat fast ferries; and the number of sailings of ordinary and fast ferries from Central and Cheung Chau between 19:00 and 23:30 is changed from six to five.
* 26 September 2002: The berthing point was relocated to Pier 5 to tie in with the Central Reclamation Phase III and Central Ferry Piers Improvement Project. 。
* 9 November 2003: To attract more visitors to Mui Wo on Sundays and public holidays, a "Buy One Get One Free" discount was introduced on Sundays and public holidays from 12:00 pm to 00:30 pm on the following day, whereby two accompanying passengers who chose to travel to/from Mui Wo by high-speed ferry could enjoy 25% off the ferry fare for a period of three months until 8 February 2004.
* 22 January 2004: The concessionary period of the "Two Passengers One Fare Concession" was extended to be valid all day long until 9 May and 3 October of the same year.
* 1 November 2004: To attract more local and overseas tourists to visit the outlying islands during holidays, "Outlying Islands Holiday Round Trip Promotion" was launched on Sundays and public holidays from 03:00 to 00:30 on the following day, with a special offer for one person to enjoy a complimentary return ferry ride upon purchase of a round-trip ticket for two persons to Mui Wo (the complimentary ferry ride is based on the lowest fare), with the offer amounting to about 75% to 85% off. It lasts for three months until 31 December of the same year and the trial period is extended to 31 March 2005 thereafter.
* 1 July 2011: Departures from Cheung Chau at 06:20 every Mondays to Saturdays were diverted to berth at Pier 6, and the arrangement has been cancelled from 1 July 2017 onwards.

### After the millenium

The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) received a significant increase in complaints about inadequate service on this route in 2016. Most of the complaints were related to the increase in passenger demand for the 06:20 fast ferry service at the start of the new school year in September, as parents/grandparents wished to accompany their children/grandchildren to school during the first few weeks of the new school year. This change in travelling pattern was short-lived, and a similar phenomenon had been observed in the past few years. To address the problem, NWFF launched the "Morning Ferry Concession Scheme" from 3 October to 31 December 2016 to encourage passengers to take the earlier departure from Cheung Chau, i.e. the 05:50 ordinary ferry, by offering fare concessions; a survey conducted by the TD in October found that the carrying capacity of the 06:20 departure had gradually decreased, while the carrying capacity of the 05:50 departure had slightly increased.

TD has requested NWFF to provide appropriate measures to cope with the anticipated increase in passenger demand at the start of the new school term in September 2017. As a result, NWFF deployed a higher capacity vessel to operate the 06:20 service in early September and provided additional high-speed vessels to divert passengers.

* 1 July to 31 December 2016: Fare concession was provided.
* 19 August 2017: The fast ferry "monthly pass" at Central Pier 5 and Cheung Chau Ferry Pier was made available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, except on the day of the Buddha's Birthday when the Bun Festival is held.
* Early November 2017 to February 2018: Pontoon loading and unloading was switched for some sailings in response to the improvement works to the lifts at Cheung Chau Ferry Pier.
* 8 January 2020: Multi-trip Tickets, which must be purchased with Octopus using the Multi-trip Ticket Self-service Ticket Dispensing Machines, were introduced; ticket holders are entitled to 20 trips on ordinary seats of ordinary ferries from Mondays to Saturdays within 30 days from the date of purchase of the ticket; if they choose to travel on the deluxe seats of the ordinary ferries or the high-speed ferry on weekdays, they must present their tickets and pay the difference in the ferry fares.
* 1 September 2020: Fare concessions were introduced and valid until 31 March of the following year.
* 1 March 2021: Student Monthly Pass concession was introduced.
* 1 April 2021: To tie in with the implementation of the new licences for ferry services on outlying island routes:
	+ To Central:
		- The sailing at 08:10 on weekdays was changed to 400-seater high-speed ferry service;
		- A new frequency was added at 16:30 on Mondays to Fridays;
	+ Towards Cheung Chau: A new sailing was added at 18:30 on Mondays to Fridays.
* 1 November 2022: Fare concession on early morning sailings were offered until 31 December 2023.
	+ The fare concession was applicable to 05:50 ordinary ferry departures from Mondays to Fridays to Central.
* 1 February 2023 to 28 February 2023: A new fare concession was introduced.
* 24 September 2023: A fare increase for this route was implemented.

### Historical Information

More about the past service hours, sailings and fares, see Historical Route Information.

## Sailing timetable

* Seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis, passengers please wait for the next sailing when the current sailing is full.

* This route is served by ordinary ferries and high-speed ferries.
* **Trips marked with \* in bold** are operated by ordinary ferries (slow vessels) and can carry cargoes.
* **Trips marked with \*% in bold** are operated by ordinary ferries (slow vessels) and can carry cargoes **with concessionary fares**.

Template:Close gate time

This route provides real-time seat availability enquiry service.
### Remarks

* On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (including summer holidays), or when special events are held in Cheung Chau (e.g. Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival and Bun Race), the frequency may be increased before or after the normal sailings in response to the passenger volume.
	+ Some of the extra trips of ordinary ferries with double-decked vessels do not have deluxe class fare and service.
	+ Some extra sailings may have the opportunity to berth at Pier 6.
* On the day following Buddha's Birthday (i.e. after the Bun Race), additional 01:15 ordinary ferry service to Central may be operated, please refer to the Passenger Notice for details.
* In the early morning of New Year's Day, this route may operate additional ordinary ferry services to Central at 01:15 and to Central at 00:20, please refer to the Passenger Notice for details.

## Sailing times

Template:Central - Cheung Chau Route Map

* Ordinary ferry: about 55-60 minutes
* High-speed ferry: about 35-40 minutes
* The above sailing time is for reference only, and the actual time required is subject to speed restrictions on Victoria Harbour, marine traffic, weather and sea conditions.

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## Fares

Template:Fare-remarks

Template:Sun Ferry Monthly Pass

### Monthly Ticket and Multi-Trip Ticket Passages

Passengers holding Monthly Passes and Multi-ride Tickets can use the Monthly Pass to gain direct entry to high-speed ferry services on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (except Buddha's Birthday), and weekdays before and after public holidays at Central Pier 5 and Cheung Chau Ferry Pier.

As a large number of people visit Cheung Chau on public holidays, causing inconvenience to the island residents, the residents and local organisations have been fighting for the provision of a residents' passageway on this route to allow priority boarding for the island residents and working people. In early 2015, NWFF proposed to provide special lanes for this route during peak hours to give priority to monthly or return ticket holders to board the ferry, so as to minimise the impact of tourists on the residents on the island, but the proposal was rejected by the Transport Department (TD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF).

By 2016, TD took the initiative to propose a special monthly ticket passage for this route, limited to Sundays in July and August and Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays of each month (if the Monday is a public holiday). The NWFF would not reserve seats for monthly ticket passengers to ensure fairness and to avoid affecting the operational efficiency of the high-speed ferry, and would require adjustment of the relevant software settings, which was expected to take nine to 12 months to complete. The Architectural Services Department would carry out modification works at the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier and Central Pier 5, including the installation of necessary fencing and queuing facilities. The monthly ticket corridor was implemented on 19 August 2017 after a round of preparation.

The monthly ticket passages were well received by Cheung Chau residents, and both residents and local organisations continued to fight for the extension of the opening period of the monthly ticket passages to before and after long holidays. During the Ching Ming and Easter holidays in April 2023, the NWFF opened the monthly ticket passes for the first time on weekdays before and after the public holidays and then switched to the official arrangement. Some residents argued for extending the coverage of the monthly ticket passages to all Cheung Chau residents and all types of vessels, but this was rejected by the NWFF and the Transport Department on the grounds that the vetting process was complicated and would reduce the efficiency of the passage.

### Goods Services

* For details of goods charges, please enquire at the Ticketing Office of the ferry pier for the fares payable for different types of cargoes.
* Passengers who wish to bring large items on board (except hand-carried baggage of less than 32" W x 23" H x 12" D) must purchase a ticket at the Ticketing Office at the ferry pier for ordinary ferries only (no goods service is available on high-speed ferries). Upon boarding the ferry, goods should be stored in the designated cargo area of the Ordinary Class cabin.

## Ferry fleets

According to the 2019 Legislative Council Paper, this route uses five ordinary vessels and six fast vessels. Ordinary ferries mainly use triple-decker vessels, namely Xin Chao, Xin Fei and Xin Guo (Xin Guang and Xin Fa are used for additional sailings and replacement of maintenance vessels), while double-decker vessels may be deployed as additional ordinary ferry sailings.

High-speed ferries are operated by the Singapore Marinteknik Shipyard-built vessels First Ferry III, First Ferry V, First Ferry VI and First Ferry VIII, which share the fleet with the Central - Mui Wo Route. In the past, Flying Cat New Ferry II of NWFF's Macau fleet was designated to operate the 7:55 a.m. fast ferry service from Cheung Chau on weekdays, or as a reserve vessel for the fast ferries. The 8:10 a.m. Central-bound fast ferry service on weekdays is designated to use vessels with more than 400 seats. For the early morning high speed ferry trips or extra trips, the lower capacity vessels First Ferry IX, First Ferry X and First Ferry XI will be used.

### Vessel deployment evolution history

#### HYF era

During the era of Hong Kong New Territories Ferry Company and the early years of Yaumati Ferry's operation, the route was operated by two iron slag ferries (San Yu and San Chau) and a wooden steamer ferry; the San Yu and San Chau were renamed as Man Kin and Man Hong after they were resold to Yau Ma Tei Ferry, while the wooden ferry was named Man Yiu. In the 1930s, a large ferry, the Man Fuk, was added to the fleet.

During the Japanese Occupation, the wooden ferry Man Sing was deployed from 19 January 1944 onwards after the route was shortened to Mui Wo in 1942. As the capacity of this route increased to over 500 passengers, it was changed to a double-ended ferry from 19 January 1944 in order to carry more passengers, and the Man Sing was transferred to the Tai O route. In addition, the Man Ching also sailed this route as a replacement vessel.

In the early post-war period, the Man Sing, Man Ka and Man Fook were mainly used; in 1947, the rebuilt Man Fat and Man Ying were deployed, with dinghies on the stern to cater for the shallow location of the piers in the countryside, where dinghies had to be used to connect to the shore. Later, the Man Keung and Man Wo were added to the route, and from the 1950s, a number of iron and wooden double-decked ferries were added to the route, also with dinghies at the stern. In 1963, the 135.5-foot double-decked ferry Min Yuet and Min Lai were added to the direct weekday service, and in August 1979, the Man Lung service was launched from Cheung Chau at 07:15 on weekdays.

Triple-decker ferries were introduced in 1973 to provide additional services on the four Lunar New Year public holidays, followed by triple-decked ferry services on Sundays and public holidays from 15 April to ease the passenger flow , and were upgraded to a daily service from 1 July of the same year.

To enhance the ferry service between Central and Cheung Chau, a water taxi service was introduced by Pai in October 1973 and withdrawn in 1976; and a water bus service was introduced in 1980 but withdrawn in 1981 due to relatively low patronage, operating costs similar to those of ordinary ferries, poor response, and efficient use of resources.

Yaumati Ferry operated 65-92-seater hoverferries in 1980 but withdrew in 1981, and then operated 74-105-seat HM218 hoverferries (HYF 105-107, 111-130) when it rejoined the hoverferry service in 1987, and then added HM527 hoverferries to replace HM218 hoverferries in the morning peak hour service.

In December 1997, HM218 was replaced by a catamaran nicknamed "Small House" made by Cheoy Lee Shipyard and only operated the 8:05am Cheung Chau to Central service on Mondays to Fridays. It was later changed to operate during the afternoon peak period. Eventually, on 26 July 1998, all the existing hoverferries were replaced. In fact, in the Schedule of Services effective from 27 July 1998, the section "Vessel allocation/carrying capacity" was amended to read "Use of 1 hoverferry/catamaran:198 to 200 seats"). Subsequently, in order to meet the demand for high-speed ferry service to Central during the morning peak hours, a 428-seat Norwegian Kværner Fjellstrand a.s. catamaran was deployed to replace the 198-seater catamaran on this route with effect from 25 January 1999, and a new catamaran was deployed to replace the 198-seater catamaran on this route.

In April 1999, Yaumati Ferry changed to a licensed operation, and the vessels on this route were also changed. The three-decked ferries of the ordinary ferries were replaced by a deluxe version (Man Chiu, Man Kwong, Man Fei and Man Kit), supplemented by a double-decker vessel (Man Chung, Man Ying, Man Hin, Man Kit). The first luxury version (Man Fai) also sailed the route as a spare support vessel while the fast vessels sailed on catamarans (A Fai I and A Fai II), "Small House" catamarans, Flying Cat catamarans, and the HM527 flying boat, all made by A Fai Shipyard.

#### NWFF/Sun Ferry era

In the initial period of the NWFF operations, the above mentioned vessels were dispatched as usual, and it was not until 2001 that a catamaran made by Marinteknik Shipyard of Singapore was added to replace the HM527 Flying Boat, and in 2003, a catamaran made by Hong Tak Machinery & Iron Works was added to replace the "Small House" catamarans, and a catamaran made by Damen Fast Ferry 4010 of Singapore was dispatched as well (New Ferry V, New Ferry VI).

On 30 April 2001, in response to a large number of passengers being evacuated by a double-decked vessel (Man Chung) sailing the Inter Islands Route, the vessel was swapped with another vessel (Ming River) sailing the same route in disguise.

In addition, NWFF had rented vessels from other ferry operators before the Marinteknik and Wang Tak catamarans came into service, including:

* March 2000: 2 Cheoy Lee Shipyard catamarans (Cheoy Lee Shipyard's Kung Lee and Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry's Sea Strike).
* March 2000 to 26th of the same month: 3 monohulls (Discovery Bay 20, 21 and 22 of DBTPL), commonly known as "Large monohull", built by Marinteknik Shipyard of Singapore, sailed on the 08:20 weekday service from Cheung Chau.
* 27 March to 6 April 2000: 1 catamaran (Discovery Bay 7 of DBTPL), commonly known as "Catamaran", built by Marinteknik Shipyard, Singapore, sailed on weekday 08:20 sailing from Cheung Chau but was withdrawn due to overcharging of hire charges.
* May 2001: Borrowed two catamarans from Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry (Sea Supreme, a Hong Kong Cheoy Lee Shipyard catamaran, and Sea Superior, an Australian Wavemaster shipyard).

Starting from 1 October 2020, a high-speed catamaran "First Ferry XVIII", which was purchased from Chu Kong Shipping's Austal Shipyard in Australia, officially commenced service on the Central - Mui Wo and Cheung Chau routes. With a capacity of 435 passengers, the vessel is equipped with two wheelchair parking areas and, for the first time, automatic sensor-activated taps in the toilets on board. In addition, the ship's bottom is painted with materials that are not toxic to marine life.

In March 2022, in response to the fifth wave of the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, a double-decker vessel was once deployed to replace a triple-decker vessel on this route for ordinary ferry services.

## Ridership

As the most direct ferry service between Cheung Chau and the urban areas, the patronage of this route has been maintained at a high level, and during holidays, especially the Bun Festival, the frequency of the new ferry is increased to ease the passenger flow. Although the route between Cheung Chau and Aberdeen was launched in August 2015, it was eventually discontinued in 2020 due to low frequency and the fact that Aberdeen is not as convenient as Central in terms of connectivity.

Some newspapers even reported in 1999 that this route was a cost-recovery route.

According to the information in the relevant documents over the years, the occupancy rate of this route is as follows:

* 1963: The annual patronage was:
	+ Jubilee Street to Cheung Chau: 1,002,911 passenger trips.
	+ Jubilee Street ↔ Peng Chau ↔ Mui Wo ↔ Cheung Chau: 142,731 passenger trips.
	+ Wilmer Street to Cheung Chau: 52,108 passenger trips.
	+ Wilmer Street ↔ Aberdeen ↔ Cheung Chau: 14,701 passenger trips.
* 1987: 14,000 passenger trips on weekdays and 28,000 passenger trips on holidays.
* 1994: 7,446,000 passenger trips.
* 1995: 7,323,000 passenger trips.
* 1996: 7,295,000 passenger trips.
* 1999:
	+ August: The average daily patronage was 18,270.
	+ November: The average daily patronage was 16,800.
* January 2000: Yau Ma Tei Ferry carried 17,000 passenger trips on weekdays and 18,500 passenger trips on holidays.
* 2000: The average daily patronage was about 17,900.
* 2001: The average daily patronage was about 17,915.
* 2002: Average daily patronage was about 17,637.
* 2003: the average daily patronage was about 16,899.
* 2009: The average daily patronage was 20,458.
* 2011: The average daily patronage was 22,943.
* 2012: The average daily patronage was 23,610.
* 2013: The average daily passenger trips were 25,244.
* 2014: The average daily patronage was 25,767.
* 2015: The average daily patronage was 26,315.
* 2020: The average daily patronage was 19,177.
* 2021: The average daily patronage was 22,350.
* 2022: The average daily patronage was 20,632.

## Future developments

In the 2019 Policy Address, the Government decided to subsidise the replacement of this route from five ordinary ships and six fast ships to ten fast ships. However, eventually two of the vessels will be converted to 1,000-passenger double-ended ordinary vessels with an open deck on the top floor.

In February 2020, the Transport Department issued a paper to consult the Islands District Council on the future service arrangements for this route.

## Gallery

Xin Chao is the main vessel on the ordinary ferry sailings of this route (March 2022)First Ferry III is the main vessel on the fast ferry sailings of this route (March 2022)New Ferry II is the the spare vessel of this route (January 2023)

More **pictures**, **photos** and **related information** about this article are available in the following **Gallery Page**:
Sun Ferry Central - Cheung Chau Route(Edit)

## Related Articles

* Sun Ferry Central - Mui Wo Route
* HKKF Central - Peng Chau Route
* Sun Ferry Inter Islands Route
* NWFF Tsim Sha Tsui - Cheung Chau Route (Cancelled)
* NWFF Cheung Chau - Tsim Sha Tsui Route (Cancelled)
* Tsui Wah Ferry Service Cheung Chau - Aberdeen Route (Cancelled)
* Wah Sing Kaito Cheung Chau Ferry Pier - Sai Wan Route

## Notes and References

1. ↑ Cheng Po-hung (鄭寶鴻), *香江騁懷：香港的早期交通* (Hong Kong: The Hong Kong University Press, 2009), p.64
2. ↑ "BEST FINANCIAL YEAR：H.K. AND YAUMATI FERRY CO'S ANNUAL MEETING", Hong Kong Daily Press, 27 April 1939.
3. ↑ *新界小輪再改開行時間* (*New Territories ferries to change sailing time again*), Chinese Mail, 7 September 1939.
4. ↑ *香港.新界 水路運輸發展* (*Water transport develops between Hong Kong and New Territories*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 11 August 1942.
5. ↑ *朌望恢復新界航路* (*Hopes to resume New Territories ferry services*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 9 February 1942.
6. ↑ Cheng Po-hung, *香江冷月：香港的日治時代* (Hong Kong: The Hong Kong University Art Museum, 2006), p.167
7. ↑ *新界小輪船將直通長洲 當局已攷在考慮* (*New Territories ferries will link Cheung Chau, authorities placed this into consideration*), posted on Wah Kiu Yat Po, 20 August 1942.
8. ↑ *高松交通部長談：寳安長洲荃 三線將來交通* (*Minister Takamatsu: Future traffic between Po On, Cheung Chau and Tsuen Wan*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 24 December 1942.
9. ↑ *新界小輪船將直通長洲 當局已在攷慮* (*New Territories ferries will link Cheung Chau, authorities placed this into consideration*), posted on Wah Kiu Yat Po, 20 January 1943.
10. ↑ *香港長洲一日直接通航* (*Hong Kong - Cheung Chau ferry service to resume on 1 February*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 31 January 1943.
11. ↑ *香港新界小輪航行時間更改* (*Sailing time of Hong Kong - New Territories ferries to be amended*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 6 July 1943.
12. ↑ "長洲.大澳.赤柱三線小輪集中一碼頭 設立『定期連絡船乘船處』 地點在原日機利文街口的廣榮碼頭" (Cheung Chau, Tai O and Stanley ferries depart from the same pier, setting up a "Regular Connecting Ship Boarding Area" located at Kwong Wing Ferry Pier near Gilman Street),Wah Kiu Yat Po, 5 October 1943.
13. ↑ *香港往來長洲大澳 航期船費明日改正* (*Sailings and fares of ferries between Hong Kong and Cheung Chau, Tai O to be amended tomorrow*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 21 Feburary 1944.
14. ↑ *明日上午一齋調查戶口 陸上車輛完全停頓 港九渡船如常開行* (*Household survey to be conducted tomorrow morning, land transport to be entirely suspended, Hong Kong - Kowloon ferries to remain normal*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 11 March 1944.
15. ↑ *九龍新界各線小輪明日改正航行時間* (*Kowloon and New Territories ferries to change sailing time tomorrow*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 24 March 1944.
16. ↑ Cheng Po-hung, *香江冷月：香港的日治時代* (Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong Art Museum, 2006), p.169
17. ↑ *長洲大澳小輪停航* (*Ferries to Cheung Chau and Tai O suspended*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 30 May 1944.
18. ↑ *長洲大澳雙日開行* (*Ferries to Cheung Chau and Tai O to run every two days*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 10 June 1944.
19. ↑ *香港與各離島連絡船短期內恢復* (*Connecting ferries between Hong Kong and Outlying Islands to resume shortly*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 11 November 1944.
20. ↑ *來往香港長洲大澳 航期船費明日改正* (*Sailings and fares of ferries between Hong Kong and Cheung Chau, Tai O to amend tomorrow*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 21 December 1944.
21. ↑ Cheng Po-hung, *香江冷月：香港的日治時代* (Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong Art Museum, 2006), p.170
22. ↑ *香港新界小輪 今日起更改開行時間* (*Ferries between Hong Kong and New Territories to change sailing time today*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 18 August 1945.
23. ↑ *油麻地小輪今日起 不往長洲大澳* (*Yaumati Ferry to stop Cheung Chau and Tai O ferries from today onwards*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 22 August 1945.
24. ↑ *今日起各線小輪 開行時間均改訂* (*All ferries to change saiing time from today onwards*), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 23 November 1945.
25. ↑ *油麻地小輪公司 更改各線船期 定廿一日開始實施* (*Yaumati Ferry to change sailing timetables of all ferries from 21 April onwards*), The Kung Sheung Daily News, 19 April 1946.
26. ↑ *油麻地公司各線小輪 下月起調整開行時間* (*Yaumati Ferry to change sailing timetables of all ferries from next month*), Ta Kung Pao, 30 October 1948.
27. ↑ Leung Ping-wah, *歷史 - 南丫島及蒲台島* (*History - Lamma Island and Po Toi Island*), posted to *香港離島區風物志* (Hong Kong: Islands District Council, March 2007), p.55
28. ↑ "長洲居民請增直航小輪輪船 公司則說恐怕虧本" (Cheung Chau residents demanded for a direct ferry service, ferry company says feared of making losses), Ta Kung Pao, 20 August 1948.
29. ↑ "長洲居民請開直航小輪 公司說這樣要虧本" (Cheung Chau residents demanded for a direct ferry service, ferry company says feared of making losses), The Kung Sheung Daily Evening News, 22 August 1948.
30. ↑ "長洲居民要求增加直航小輪" (Cheung Chau residents demanded for direct ferry services), Wah Kiu YatPo, 12 October 1948.
31. ↑ "長洲小輪改泊新碼頭" (Cheung Chau ferries changed to berth at new pier), Ta Kung Pao, 23 October 1952.
32. ↑ "離島各小輪今泊新碼頭" (All Outlying Island ferries to berth at new pier today), Ta Kung Pao, 21 November 1964.
33. ↑ "位於統一碼頭西隣 新碼頭今晨揭幕 東翼供旺角線小輪應用" (New pier westof the Vehicular Ferry Pier opens this morning; east wing used by ferries to Mong Kok), The Kung Sheung Daily Evening News, 18 November 1964.
34. ↑ "港外綫碼頭週末開幕 盧秉信剪綵正午十二時啟用 深水埔綫廿九日遷中環碼頭" (Outlying Islands pier opens this weekend, James Jeavons Robinson held ribbon-cutting ceremony, opens at 12:00 p.m; ferries to Sham Shui Po relocated to the Central Piers on the 29th) Wah Kiu Yat Po, 22 August 1966
35. ↑ Wah Kiu Yat Po and The Kung Sheung Daily News, 29 March 1969.
36. ↑ The Kung Sheung Daily News, 28 November 1972, p.7; The Kung Sheung Daily News, 29 November 1972, p.10
37. ↑ Wah Kiu Yat Po, 29 November 1972, p.2
38. ↑ "油蔴地小輪公司昨透露 港外小輪將增班次 另增加各線直航船及取消三等" (Yaumati Ferry revealed sailing enhancement for outlying islands ferries, with additional direct sailings and cancellation of third-class cabins), Ta Kung Pao, 29 November 1972.
39. ↑ "離島各綫小輪增加班次 已獲當局批准 長洲、梅窩、坪洲、南丫島南北段，均將改為直航，不分頭等三等，井增新船應付乘客增加" (Enhancement of sailings of outlying islands ferries approved by authorities: Direct sailings for Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Lamma Island North and South, no more first and third class divisions, new ships to be deployed in response to demand), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 10 March 1973, vol.4, p.1.
40. ↑ "離島小輪調整班次改善交通 計劃獲通過 各綫次將改直航定時開出使人更易記憶" (Plan for sailing adjustments for outlying island ferries to improve traffic approved, all trips will change to direct service and fixed departure time for easier memorisation), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 13 March 1973, vol.3, p.1.
41. ↑ Wah Kiu Yat Po and The Kung Sheung Daily News, 17 November 1973.
42. ↑ "離島長洲梅窩坪洲小輪假期加班 新時間表編定 適應夏季旅遊海俗需要" (Outlying Islands ferries to Cheung Chau, Mui Wo and Peng Chau to add sailings during holidays: new timetable adjusted to meet summer travelling needs), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 5 April 1975.
43. ↑ "油蔴地小輪為彌補收益 擬重建統一碼頭 部份作商業用途 用飛翔船航行中環長洲索罟灣線" (Yaumati Ferry to rebuild Vehicular Pier to compensate gains, some to be used for commercial uses; hovercrafts to be deployed on Central to Cheung Chau and Sok Kwu Wan ferries), The Kung Sheung Daily News, 12 July 1980.
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 "馮北泰再評新計劃 服務應延至繁忙時間 飛翔船發揮輔助功能" (Fung Pak Tai commented again: new programme should be extended to the peak hours, hovercrafts should perform a supplementary function), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 15 November 1987.
45. ↑ "九龍開往澳門新綫 兩飛翔船今起服務 深水埗碼頭開出每個半小時一班" (Two hovercrafts to begin operation on Kowloon to Macau ferries at 30-min interval from Sham Shui Po Pier), The Kung Sheung Daily News, 1 September 1983.
46. ↑ "油蔴地小輪劉定中稱 飛翔船年底將夜航 先辦中區分別至屯門愉景灣線" (Chief of Yaumati Ferry says hovercrafts to enter night service by the end of this year on Central to Tuen Mun and Discovery Bay ferries), Ta Kung Pao, 1 September 1983.
47. ↑ "油蔴地公司積極培訓船員 離島綫夜航年底可實現 屯門及愉景灣線先行開辦" (Yaumati Ferry actively trains crew for planned outlying islands night ferries by the end of year; Tuen Mun and Discovery Bay routes to be piloted), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 1 September 1983.
48. ↑ "油蔴地小輪公司削減離島航線 區議員抨擊運輸署 認為此舉漠視民意" (Yaumati Ferry reduces outlying islands routes, DC members slam Transport Dept for ignoring public opinions), Sing Pao, 12 October 1983.
49. ↑ "港府批准油蔴地減航線 離島區議員指漠視民意 聲稱事前應徵區議員意見" (Gov't approves service reductions of Yaumati Ferry, Islands District Council members slams Gov't for not listening to public opinions; says should get opinions from DC members), Sing Tao Daily, 12 October 1983.
50. ↑ "Merged island ferry services under attack", Hong Kong Standard, 12 October 1983.
51. ↑ "票價約七元 航程半小時 中環至長洲梅窩飛翔船十月開航" (Central - Cheung Chau hovercraft service to begin this October at a fare of $7 and journey time of 30mins), Wen Wei Po, 28 August 1987.
52. ↑ "Inter-island hovercraft service", Hong Kong Standard, 28 August 1987.
53. ↑ "油蔴地否决長洲通宵渡輪服務 乘客量小不利公司 入夜航行須特別牌" (Yaumati Ferry vetoed on Cheung Chau night ferry service: passenger amounts unfavourable to company and special licence required for night sailing sailors), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 15 November 1987.
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "運輸署官員解釋 速度快夜間易生危險 飛翔船通宵行不可能" (TD official explained: Faster speeds causes danger at night, nighttime hoverferry services impossible), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 15 November 1987.
55. ↑ "離島討論發展旅遊 望擴增飛翔船服務 油蔴地小輪代表表示押調船只有困難" (Discussion of tourism at Islands: DC hoped to expand hoverferry services, Yaumati Ferry reps say dispatching ships would be difficult), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 8 December 1987.
56. ↑ "離島議員要求增小輪班次 配合各島發展旅遊利交通 建議飛翔船服務擴展至週末假期" (Islands DC members demanded for increas of ferry sailings: hoverferry service expansion to weekends and holidays suggested to facilitate development and tourism of islands), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 27 April 1988.
57. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "1996 Fare Adjustment Applications", Legislative Council Panel on Transport, November 1995
58. ↑ [1]
59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "長洲至中環增航班" (New sailings for Central to Cheung Chau ferries), Ta Kung Pao, 26 July 1998.
60. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Outlying Islands Ferry Service Improvement - More Sailings" [Press release], 26 September 1998.
61. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Special Ferry Service Arrangements for Christmas Eve (25 December Morning)" [Press release], 21 December 1998.
62. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Special Ferry Service Arrangements for New Year Eve ( 1 January Morning )" [Press release], 28 December 1998.
63. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Special Ferry Service Arrangements for Lunar New Year Eve ( 16 February Morning )" [Press release], 11 February 1999.
64. ↑ C for T: Ferry services have sufficient capacity to meet demand, Government Press Release, 11 April 1999
65. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Outlying Islands Timetables Revision and ( Mui Wo - Central ) Students Special Fare Suspension" [Press release], 6 May 1999.
66. ↑ Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Revise the Ferry Timetable for Cheung Chau" [Press release], 26 July 1999.
67. ↑ Renamed as New Ferry II later, retired
68. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "二零零一年十一月二十六日長洲－中環實施新時間表" (Cheung Chau to Central New Timetable effective from 26 November 2001) [Press Release], 9 November 2001.。
69. ↑ Transport Department HKSARG, "中環─長洲更改領牌渡輪服務時間表" (Change to Timetable of Central - Cheung Chau Licensed Ferry Service) [Traffic Notice]
70. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "新渡輪來往中環－長洲渡輪服務遷往中環5號碼頭" (First Ferry Service between Central and Cheung Chau will be relocated to Central Pier No. 5) [Press Release], 18 September 2002.
71. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "新渡輪推出中環前往離島 假日二人同行 一人價錢優惠" (First Ferry Offers 'Buy One Get One Free' Promotion to Sailings from Central to Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Mui Wo on Sundays and Public Holidays) [Press Release], 7 November 2003.
72. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "新渡輪延長中環前往離島 假日二人入閘一人價錢優惠" (First Ferry Extends 'Buy One Get One Free' Promotion) [Press Release], 22 January 2004.
73. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "新渡輪延長中環前往離島假日 「二人入閘 一人價錢」優惠至十月三日" (First Ferry Extends 'Buy One Get One Free' Promotion to 3 October 2004) [Press Release], 1 May 2004.
74. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "中環至離島航線 十一月一日推出全新「離島假日來回優惠」" (Central To Outlying Islands Service
New Promotion 'Outlying Islands Holiday Round Trip Promotion' from 1 November 2004) [Press Release], 30 September 2004.
75. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "中環至離島航線 延長「離島假日來回優惠」至2005年3月31日" ( Central To Outlying Islands Service
First Ferry Extends 'Outlying Islands Holiday Round Trip Promotion' to 31 March 2005) [Press Release], 22 December 2004.
76. ↑ Overview of Complaints and Suggestions Received during 2016 - Ferry Services, Report on the work of the Transport Complaints Unit in 2016
77. ↑ 港外線渡輪七月減價 (Outlying Islands ferries to reduce fare this July), hkitalk.net
78. ↑ "兩渡輪6航線推票價優惠　平日最多慳$5.5" (6 ferry services of HKFF and NWFF launches fare concessions with most weekday fare savings of $5.5), Oriental Daily News, 18 May 2016
79. ↑ "長洲快船逢假期設月票通道　首日啟用受歡迎", Oriental Daily News, 19 August 2017
80. ↑ New World First Ferry Services Limited, "「月票通道」會於2017年8月19日在中環5號碼頭及長洲渡輪碼頭實施" (The "Monthly Pass Access" will be implemented at Central Pier 5 and Cheung Chau Ferry Pier on 19 August 2017) [Latest News], 28 July 2017.
81. ↑ [2] (Page removed)
82. ↑ 推出中環─長洲航線「多程票」 ("Multiple Journey Tickets" launched on Central - Cheung Chau ferry), NWFF publication, 14 February 2020
83. ↑ >https://www.hkitalk.net/HKiTalk2/thread-1157683-1-1.html
84. ↑ https://www.hk01.com/%E7%A4%BE%E6%9C%83%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E/417764/%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%97%E8%BE%B0fb%E5%AE%A3%E5%B8%83%E7%88%AD%E5%8F%96%E4%B8%AD%E7%92%B0%E9%95%B7%E6%B4%B2%E5%A4%9A%E7%A8%8B%E7%A5%A8-%E6%85%B3%E5%88%B0%E9%8C%A2-%E7%B6%B2%E6%B0%91%E5%98%B2-%E5%90%8C%E5%8E%9F%E5%83%B9%E4%B8%80%E6%A8%A3
85. ↑ [3]
86. ↑ Ferry fares for students explained, news.gov.hk, 8 January 2021.
87. ↑ Sun Ferry Services Limited, "新渡輪營運之離島航線渡輪服務新牌照於2021年4月1日生效下的新安排" (New Arrangements under the New Licence for the New Ferry Operation of Outlying Island Routes to Take Effect on 1 April 2021) (Press Release), 23 March 2021.
88. ↑ Sun Ferry Services Limited, "Early Bird Sailing Offer on Cheung Chau - Central Ferry Route throughout 2023" (Press Release), 30 December 2022.
89. ↑ Sun Ferry Services Limited, "Sun Ferry introduces fare discounts to Outlying Island Ferry Services in February 2023" (Press Release), 26 January 2023.
90. ↑ https://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/island/doc/2020\_2023/tc/committee\_meetings\_doc/TTC/22993/TTC\_2023\_32\_TC.pdf
91. ↑ With air-conditioning equippment
92. ↑ Extra sailings on 2-decker vessels will open up the Deluxe Class cabin, but will be sold at regular class.
93. ↑ Including $2 and half-fare balance between Deluxe and Ordinary Class
94. ↑ Including $2 and full-fare balance between Deluxe and Ordinary Class
95. ↑ With air-conditioning equippment
96. ↑ However, passengers who have purchased a monthly ticket will be issued with a Multi-Trip Ticket which is valid for the day of Buddha's Birthday, and they can travel in ordinary class on ordinary vessels through a special passage with the pass on that day.
97. ↑ [4]
98. ↑ "料6萬人次睇搶包山　長洲居民優先搭船無望" (60k travellers expected to enter Cheung Chau for bun race; no hopes for priority boarding for residents), Oriental Daily News, 19 May 2015
99. ↑ "長洲假日遊客多　居民上班趕船難　渡輪碼頭擬設月票通道" (Many tourists on Cheung Chau holidays make it difficult for residents to catch the ferry to work: Ferry pier proposes to set up a monthly pass channel), Ming Pao, 22 October 2016
100. ↑ Opening of Monthly Ticket and Multi-Ride Ticket Passage during pre- and post-Ching Ming Festival from 4 April to 10 April
101. ↑ 2023 Sun Ferry Passengers Liaison Group (Central-Cheung Chau ferry route) Held Successfully with Collective Intelligence Contributes to the Betterment of Ferry Service, Sun Ferry, 24 April 2023
102. ↑ 2023 Sun Ferry Passengers Liaison Group (Central-Cheung Chau ferry route) Held Successfully with Collective Intelligence Contributes to the Betterment of Ferry Service, Sun Ferry, 24 April 2023
103. ↑ 103.0 103.1 https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/english/panels/tp/papers/tp20191115cb4-114-5-e.pdf
104. ↑ Special Sailing Deployment of Central - Cheung Chau Route, Sun Ferry, 27 October 2021.
105. ↑ "大澳長洲各綫小輪未增 改派大船容納塔客 十九日經實行.各線來往便利" (Service enhancements for Tai O and Cheung Chau ferries, with larger ships accomodating more passengers, to be adopted on 19 January), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 29 January 1944.
106. ↑ "大澳.長洲航期回復正常 民清民昇與四艘貨艇演出『三料拍拖』" (Tai O and Cheung Chau ferries resume normal, Man Sing and Man Ching vessels and four cargo vessels to provide service), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 17 August 1944.
107. ↑ "小輪班次擬調整 運輸署稱油蔴地輪試驗計劃成功" (Ferry sailings to be adjusted: Transport Department says Yaumati Ferry pilot plan was a success), Ta Kung Pao, 25 August 1979.
108. ↑ "港內離島 小輪加班" (Intra-harbour and outlying island ferries to enhance sailings), The Kung Sheung Daily News, 2 February 1973.
109. ↑ "香港至長洲小輪 週日假期加專船" (), 《大公報》，1973年4月18日
110. ↑ "油蔴地小輪公司 今起派海上的士 航行香港長洲綫" (HYF to deploy water taxis on HKI-Cheung Chau ferry service), The Kung Sheung Daily News, 29 October 1973.
111. ↑ 111.0 111.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `facebook`
112. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1298134353639980&set=pcb.1460096587357989&type=3&theater
113. ↑ Schedule of Services of the Central - Cheung Chau Route with effect from 27 July 1998
114. ↑ Hongkong - Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, "Jet Cat Service at 8:10a.m. Sailing from Cheung Chau to Central" [Press Release], 21 January 1999.
115. ↑ [5]
116. ↑ Re:昨天中長線"名河"救亡圖集 (Re: Gallery of "Ming River" on contingency support on Central - Cheung Chau Route yesterday), Hong Kong Ferry Forum old post archives
117. ↑ 117.0 117.1 [6]
118. ↑ 【著數優惠】新渡輪添新力軍 兼回贈18%船費予離島航線乘客 ([Cheap concessions] Sun Ferry introduces new ferry and provides 18% fare rebate to outlying island ferry passengers), HKET, 30 September 2020.
119. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/leungkwokho01/posts/5055721437808796
120. ↑ "長洲坪洲梅窩渡輪專營權醞釀易手 新巴有意接收油蔴地離島線" (Franchise change of Mui Wo ferry on Cheung Chau and Peng Chau brewing; New World First Bus intends to take over Yaumati outlying islands route), Ming Pao, 24 August 1999.
121. ↑ *Hong Kong Department Annual Departmental Report by the Director of Marine J.P.HEWITT for the Financial Year 1963-64* (Hong Kong: Marine Department of Hong Kong, 1964), p.41.
122. ↑ 122.0 122.1 122.2 "兩小輪專利若屆滿 部分航線將公開競投" (Some routes to be placed on tender if franchise of two ferry companies expire), Oriental Daily News, 14 June 1997.
123. ↑ "坪洲乘客量低利瀾少 小輪公司視為雞肋" (Low ridership and profits for Peng Chau ferry services, ferry company saw it just a rib), Oriental Daily News, 17 August 1999.
124. ↑ HKET and Sun Post, 3 November 1999
125. ↑ "新渡輪凌晨接辦8航線 乘客給予信心指標45分" (8 ferry routes taken over by NWFF this early morning, passengers left confident mark of 45 points), Ming Pao, 15 January 2000.
126. ↑ Outlying Islands Ferry Services in Hong Kong, Legislative Council Panel on Transport, April 2004
127. ↑ Outlying Islands Ferry Services in Hong Kong, Legislative Council Panel on Transport, April 2004
128. ↑ Outlying Islands Ferry Services in Hong Kong, Legislative Council Panel on Transport, April 2004
129. ↑ Outlying Islands Ferry Services in Hong Kong, Legislative Council Panel on Transport, April 2004
130. ↑ Review on Ferry Services for Outlying Islands，Legislative Council Panel on Transport, 23 April 2010
131. ↑ Special Helping Measures for six major outlying island ferry routes for the next three-year licence period 2017-20, Legislative Council Panel on Transport, 9 January 2017.
132. ↑ 132.0 132.1 132.2 Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2023-24 : Controlling Officer's Reply TLB141, Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 14 April 2023
133. ↑ 新春開新局丨香港新渡輪1000客位鋁合金客船順利開工 (New image in New Year | Construction for 1000-seater aluminium ferry vessel for Sun Ferry in HK launched successfully), Ya Guang Technology Group, 2023-2-17
134. ↑ https://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/island/doc/2020\_2023/en/dc\_meetings\_doc/18038/IS\_2020\_21\_EN.pdf.pdf
135. ↑ https://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/island/doc/2020\_2023/en/dc\_meetings\_doc/18038/IS\_2020\_21\_A\_EN.pdf

## External Links

* Transport Department: Details of Franchised and Licensed Ferry Services
* Central (Pier 5) ↔ Cheung Chau Route - Sun Ferry Official Website

To facilitate quoting and enquiries, the following redirect page(s) will direct to this page:

**Sun Ferry Cheung Chau - Central Route**,**NWFF Cheung Chau - Central Route**,**NWFF Central - Cheung Chau Route**,**Cheung Chau - Central Route**and**Central - Cheung Chau Route**