Ferry and Bus Fare Increases 2013 – Comments by db residents
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233. Absolutely no adjustment to the ferry fare after the significant increases in recent years. There is no need to increase the fare on the Sunny Bay and Tung Chung buses. The quality of service on the Sunny Bay bus is sub-standard. During peak commute periods the bus does not run frequently enough and the buses are too crowded with packed areas where people have to stand. I might not object to a small increase in the intra-DB bus fares.235. I object to both ferry and bus fare increase. 236. 我反對車船費加價。 237. The DB Ferry Service is ALREADY ridiculously over-priced! Any fare increase is just out of the question!!! 240. I cannot see that HKR provides the public any financial info. Showing their request is pushiable. HKR does not explain clearly the causes for the “losses” they claim plus given their monopolistic light in separating the commuting services. They should not see themselves as a totally independent operator, ignoring other benefits they enjoy foe the development as a whole. 242. The increase in bus and ferry fares lacks substantial ground without producing evidence indicating increase in operational costs. A clear report on the financial statements of the DB Transportation Service Ltd and DB Transit Service Ltd of the past several years is demanded to support the claims of increase in operational costs.
As a DB resident, I would like toshare the following observations when taking the DB buses: 1. The 3R bus are always fully packed during rush hours in the mornings (btw 7:30am to 9:30am and evenings 6pm to 10pm). The currrent bus fare is $9.1 for a 20-minute-ride from DB to Sunny Bay and the total distance is only 10.3 miles. Charging $9.1 for a bus service when half of the bus passengers are standing is way too expensive and the service is way too lousy to keep half of the passengers standing all the way.
Many buses operating in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories will have seats available for passengers to sit comfortably during the bus journey if it involves paying a price range of $9 to $10 during rush hours. Many buses operating in the city will charge far less than $9.1 for a distance that spans more than 10.3 miles. It is unreasonable to propose any increase in fares without addressing the quality of bus service (i.e. the supply of buses to resolve the standing problem.
2. The 3R DB buses are often completely packed during rush hours and Sunday mornings (i.e. around 9am to 12am) when they arrive at Neo Horizon, Siena 2, and Chianti. Residents in Chianti, Siena 2, Neo Horizon and Amalfi often cannot enter the bus and ended up having to wait for an extended period of time before the next bus becomes available. This is very unfair to residents living in the above residential buildings. The observations identified in point no. 1 and 2 above reflected the lack of supply in bus services to adequately meet the demand for bus services by DB residents. And yet the DB Transit Services Ltd is already charging a very high bus fare of $9.1 for a bus journey that spans only 10.3 miles.
The bus services need to improve before any bus fares increase is passed. It is unreasonable to increase any bus fares without adequately addressing the above problems in supply of bus services, including increasing of the no. of buses during rush hours and Sunday mornings so that most of the passengers can comfortably sit and enjoy the bus journey without standing on the bus the entire journey, and without residents waiting for an extended period of time only to see buses fully packed when the buses arrive at the station. In summary, I object the increase in bus fare without: i. sufficient and comprehensive evidence indicating increase in operational costs and reduction of net profits; ii. resolving the problems generated with the supply shortage of buses including increase in waiting time and increase in standing time on the bus for bus passengers 243. I am certainly not the only person to question the reasons for the ferry and the bus companies to ask for a 9.5% increase in fares. I also fail to understand the logic for NOT providing the financial statements to substantiate their reasons for the increase: rising costs of fuel, maintenance and manpower, which together account of a loss of $6M in 2011-12. Common sense would have prevailed that it would be in the best interest of the companies to disclose the statements in a user friendly terms: easily understood, frank and candid. The fact that both companies (ferry and bus) have failed to do so could be seen as either lack of common sense or arrogant or both in their treatment of their customers. In investment, investors would or should steer clear of companies that lack transparency in their business operations, financial statements or strategies. Residents in Discovery Bay are unfortunately in a unique position of not being able to steer clear from the monopoly services of both companies, which perhaps explain their arrogance. Whilst the focus is on the current price increase, a long-term solution is to formulate a price increase mechanism to take into account of various cost factors, such as inflation, affordability, perceived levels of satisfactory services, and manpower, etc., as it has been the case for many public services worldwide. As the inflation rate in Hong Kong was recorded at 4.40% in February of 2013, a 9.5% proposed increase in the ferry and bus fares are really beyond the understanding of the citizens of Hong Kong, and residents in Discovery Bay in particular. The companies claimed to have lost $6M in 2011-12 and also in the previous year(s) prior to the recent increase. This therefore raises several pertinent questions in relation to the ways in which the operations are run, to the manpower level, and to whether or not there is a turn-around strategy to arrest the loss, instead of relentlessly “milking the goats to death”. The last recent price increase is still very fresh in the memory. Transparency and accountability are the rules that any reputable and responsible companies would observe and implement in order to gain the trust and the confidence of their shareholders and customers. In this respect, Discovery Bay Transportation Services Limited (Ferry Company) and Discovery Bay Transit Services Limited (Bus Company) need to demonstrate their commitments to transparency and accountability by opening their books for scrutiny before any talk of price increase. 244. I totally disagree to increase the bus fare & ferry fare. Compare with the ferry service among Hong Kong. The fare of Discovery bay ferry service is the most expensive one. Same as Discovery bay bus fare. Since I moved into DB, the fare of ferry service & bus seems increase everyyear, which eventually turn into high price of ferry fare and bus fare, less ferry service, a bus service. I f fares continuously raising up, we would consider to move out of DB. Meanwhile, I would suggest ferry service offering discount to family who sent kids out to school & back to DB, and pick up kids from school and back to DB, which Lama Island already promote this special service to the local resident. 246. My wife and I oppose the proposed price increases for both the bus and the ferry. Bus The fleet is diesel-powered, old, noisy to the point that the buses wake me up every day and are highly polluting. Why would I want to pay more to reared a service that is doing me active harm? In particular please note that the bus fare to the airport of HK$32 is HK$1.1 more expensive than the airport bus to Shueng Shui/Fanling, even though that bus travels between two and three times farther - and provides a more frequent service. I would welcome an explanation from the bus company for this blatant example of overcharging.
The DB ferries are the single largest source of pollution in DB. Despite repeated requests from residents the ferry operator has made no effort to reduce its emissions, which could be done by using a fuel with a lower sulphur content. Since the emissions from the ferry are causing direct harm to everyone living in DB, and especially those using the ferries and living close-by, as well as the ferry company's staff I do not think it is appropriate for this company to raise it prices without reducing the harm caused by its polluting practices.
Could I suggest that you request both companies to:
You may also wish to remind them that:
In short both companies currently provide a service that while efficient and regular is also harmful to all who use and operate them. Rewarding such a business model with greater profits is completely unacceptable. 247. Ferry: 1. The fare is relatively higher compare to other islands route or Parkisland 2. Most schedules are highly occupied, doesn’t matter in the rush hrs or after midnight schedules. 3. To keep the fare down, DBTSL should provide alternative solution for us to select eg. , same as Parkisland, to run bus instead of ferry after midnight... etc.
250. Increase too much, should be aligned with inflation rate only. 253.
257.
258. 爲何長者可用$2乘搭所有交通工具，包括長程地鐵及巴士，而邨巴德5分鐘路程已收費$4，已是最貴的短途車！希望長者乘車優惠可包括邨巴。 266．Our friends on Lamma Island pay only HKD$18 per ferry trip. We can’t believe that we are already paying double. Increasing the fare will force us to move out of DB as we commute twice a day on the ferry and bus. DB is a nice area and we hope that it remains affordable. 270. 1. Incomes in HK have not been keeping up with inflation for many yrs since the financial crisis. 2. These companies are basic public goods, although in private hands, they should be operated + priced giving consideration to public welfare and economic consequences (and therefore gov’t should have a price control mechanism). 3. These companies typically have huge resources from many years of prosperity. They should actually use them for fares like these instead of abusing their monopolistic position. The bus fares are already exoribanant considering the distance travelled. 5. They should be hedging their fuel costs. 271. An additional sound of price increase is not acceptable, especially as last increase was just 2 years ago. 273. 希望所有巴士加多些班次因爲經常(Full)要搭下一班 因此延誤了約會或要取消 非常之不滿 274．WITHOUT ACCESS TO THEIR BOOKS IN AN OPEN AND HONEST MANNER THEN I IS IMPOSSIBLE TON ACCEPT THEIR WORD ON THE ACTUAL COSTS OF RUNNING THE SERVICES. IF THEY WOULD SHOW THA THE COSTS ARE INCREASING THN AN INCREASE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. HOWEVER WITHOUT FROM ACCESS TO THE BOOKS BY PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS NO ONE CAN KNOW THE TRUE POSITION. THEREFORE NO INCREASE CAN BE COUNTED. 275 明白經營不易，但愉景灣船費並不便宜，居民亦有困難。居民立場必然不希望再加價，盡量按排中庸之度！不要因政府實行長者元優惠，加於我們身上，這是不公平的！ 276． 希望設長者優惠。
路綫短，燃油消耗有限，現在收費也很貴，還要再加，恐怕一家幾口至家庭負擔太重。 277. 加密班次 282. 渡輪：調低，價錢太高 巴士: 需調低，因價錢太高 284．I will agree the increase only in the case that both firms are losing money in 2012-2013 and they should state their financial statements to proof it! 286. It is important that the accounts of the company are transparent so we can understand the need for an increase. 287. Increase of fares under 5% is acceptable but no 9.5% 292. 現在的巴士班次實在太疏了，尤其是星期六日，出東涌的巴士渠道Green已經上不到車，時峰之後的都在白等。平日也嚴重不足，早上返工時，巴士也是去到時峰便滿了，我們付的車資已經相當昂貴($9.1)。相對只是15分鐘一條直路的路綫，您還好意思說要加價？老實說，我對你們愉景灣的交通服務非常不滿。 和珀麗灣的車子和渡輪比較，我們已經貴了很多。珀麗灣的渡輪是$18.8(民居),車資是$7.3。而且，班次是比我們的密很多(5分鐘一班)。愉景灣的人口不會比珀麗灣少，爲什麽我們仍要加價？只是你們營運不當吧！ 305. I cannot believe this service is not making a profit. The buses are often full and sometimes dangerously full. Most importantly, there are no concessions for elderly, many of whom are disabled and need to take the bus to buy food. This increase will be hard for the elderly to bear!! 311. The ferry service is already expensive for many people plus students. Keep toe RATES the SAME – NO INCREASE I feel the DB Residents Bus Service is at the right amount at present & keep it at the same prices except for senior citizen = the free should be reduces for seniors seisb like the ferry service 315. If making claims the companies must produce evidence. This is the only way I will ‘agree’ to these increases. 316.
321. 一直加價，不曾調整服務？ 322. I don’t believe they make loss. 324. Without proof ie financial statements such a hefty increase is unreasonable. I am atam that financial statements can also be ‘painted’ to show a dismed picture. 325. 應向下調整(減低收費)15分鐘車程收9.1元太貴。 327. Lesson the amount of staff on the piers that aren’t doing anything but standing aroused. Raise 5% should be plenty. 329.
335. 區外巴士行走35分鐘，收費約$5，我們的巴士行分半鐘，收費$4 中環往返坪洲收費$14.8，我們收$29 (月費)。單程$34。行程相約，爲何要雙倍收費，巴士十倍收費！是否獨市生意？經營不善？例如Keep 4號船過百萬每月休養而不載客？
340. THE RESORT HOTEL AT DB(N) IS OPENING SOON. THAT SHOULD INCREASE THE RIFERSHIP OF THE FERRIS AND BUSES AND WOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE REVENUE. 343. 巴士票價已近乎很高，應該向下調整。 344，愉景灣回條香港狀展. 爲什麽長者巴士服務02R 01R HUO 03R （欣澳或東涌之票價不是2元. 區内各條巴士票價優惠？難解？難解？ 346．Why the elderly discount of $2/trip doesn’t apply to internal & external DB bus routes. 348. (渡輪) 要合乎下列條件
(巴士)
要合乎下列條件
350．Both ferry & bus fares are already too high! 353. Think DBTS should make their accounts public 359. I do not agree. As mentioned, ‘no financial statements have been produced in both cases’. And besides this, I can’t understand how it goes together with the just recently reduced Ferry Fare for elderly. Even as I am a “Newcomer”, transferred to Lantau 5 years ago only, I have the opinion that there is some tension between HK Authorities and D’Bay Community/ 360. 現時的交通收費已冠絕全港，服務質素沒有提高。 369．現今渡輪及境内巴士費用已較其他歌曲昂貴，且決定權在愉景灣管理有限公司手上，在百物騰貴的通脹環境下，各公司均會提出加價以補利潤，但也要顧及區内居民，圖以不得加價，而在照顧長者方面，既無政府已有補貼，區内巴士亦應照顧老人及傷殘人士的每程2元的方案。 372．DB 所有交通費資絕全港。住客沒有選擇，失去公平法，一天的交通費已足支付全日食用的費用，希望運輸署能幫助小市民，減低收費。 373. Fares are already very expensive especially internal bus routes if you take into consideration the short distance of travel you need to pay $4 for!! 374. Discovery Bay already has the most expensive public transport costs of anywhere in Hong Kong. If they truly are losing more the problem bust lie with poor management, not the fare rate. 375. It seem an arbitrary increase. I would like to see how they calculate the 9.5% increase. Also perhaps offset the costs by increasing advertising revenue. Finally read on the weekend that part of their loss with the damage to a ferry.
(Bus) So many people taking bus. I am sure they are making money. It is ok to increase due to inflation but % should be at the inflation level. 401. 9.5% is crazy!!! 403. I remember that the ferry fare had already been increased to its present amount just a year ago. There is NO reason for further increase. As for the buses, HK$9.10 for such short distances is already expensive (cross-tunnel). And, for buses operating within DB proper, HK$4.00 covers only a very short distance! In view of the fact that NO financial statements have been produced to support the proposed increase, I see NO ground on the basis of which any increase is reasonable. 407. 現時的票價已非常昂貴。$9.1只是20分鐘的車程，比起其它公司已經是不合邏輯。 409．Every time I take the buses/ferry, it is always full, more and more people move to DB, can’t accept they raise the price. 415. Already increased the feels for ferries and buses a couple of years ago. Frequency of ferry is less and buses are old and full most of the time now. 419. There should be a reduction of bus fare for 3R+1R. $9.1 is far too much for the distance & they were packed with passengers. 421. 9.5% is too high. Raise only the trips after 1am. The burden on rushing costs. It could have been avoided . No one would stay there for over 15 min. Oil price is staying flat. I am quite sure staff costs stay flat (not including the manager!) Replacement of buses, hot heavily used in DB, could be extended to over 10 yrs. 428. I agree with the increase as long as the increase is reasonable due to the fact and inflation. 434. Internal buses –HKD4 for all fares with no discount for children or seniors is still quite high especially loher one after needs to take two buses to really their destination. Ridership continues to increase with increase of population and DC/DBID expansion. Ferry – prices recently increases substantially.
436. CEASE USING SINGLE HULL FERRIES CEASE the FREE bus service Provide full details of accounts of the transport services. 439. BUS AND FERRY FARES ARE ALREADY TOO EXPENSIVE. OTHER FERRIES AND BUSES IN HONG KONG ARE MUCH CHEAPER! IN DB REDUCE THE FREQYUENCY OF THE SERVICE INSTEAD OF RAISING PRICES!
1. 巴士票價應有老人半價優惠(或2元) 2．去欣澳及東涌的巴士也應有老人票只要2元優惠 3. 晚上12點之後的船費加得太多、太貴了 442．雖然根據“渡輪公司”資料說渡輪虧損，但巴士就相反，所以不應加價。 445．These proposed increases are completely unjustifiable. Our buses are the most expensive 5-min ride in HK! How have the company used its revenues. They should think outside the box – what about finishing advertising revenue. 449.
451. Transportation cost to & in DB is already very high. Any further increase will force us to move out of DB. 452.
456.
459. The fuel price has been going down at times and the ferry service never offered to low down the fare. They have already lowered the number of ferry times to minimum acceptable.
484. The transportation cost is Discovery Bay is already very expensive and more costly than any parts of Hong Kong. 486. 1. Need to see published accounts to understand the financial conditions of two companies 2. Need to understand the “subsidies” given by the ferry company and the bus company for the shops and the Group’s real estate business.
511.
511. Buses are too old, noioy and should be replaced by environmentally friendly coaches. 522. Both fares are some of the most expensive in hong kong. Bus routes in Discovery Bay are not longer than 10 minutes yet cost more than the average rate in HK islands. The measure is unjustified and unfair. 529. 現時之收費已經是極高及不合理水平，尤其巴士費用，各綫路行程與車費極不合理。所以懇請運輸署不能接受加價申請。 530．調整價格太離譜。財政管理不善，加價不應在3%以上。 01R&03R等候時間太長。 現時渡輪價格並不算便宜。
Ferry:
The present fare schedule for the ferry already saw an increase in the last five years and I disagree with this proposal. The cost of going into Central is already high and with apartment rentals escalating at an alarming rate it is proving more and more challenging to keep up with all these costs. The ferry company says they showed a loss of $6M and yet they spent a lot of money making the pier in Discovery Bay look more glamorous. I agree it needed a clean up, however it is obvious spending could have been less here. I appreciate all efforts made to ensure the ferry service is still able to run and at the same time keeping it affordable for us. Bus:
As the bus fare right now is reasonable, I have no comment on the increase. 537. As per your leaflet we received recently:
COMMENTS I understand the need for price increases and the need for the transport to run at a profit however I agree to these increases on the condition that if we have to absorb increases they must not cut any services in future. I am happy to cover increases for the current or improved services but would not be happy if the price went up and later services were cut. 538. The costs for bus in HK have probably increased, but not possible in DB as no traffic etc. For the ferry they should first make an effort to lower costs (Air Conditioning not so high etc). And they should show the financial statements and see how they can be efficient. 544. Although the rationale behind ‘increase’ is typically understandable (according to stated reasons) in a narrow perspective; DBayT. Seiv. Should remember and understand that they are part of the whole system here and without the community, they are not need as a service. There is a mutual dependence and a ready expensive transport fees’ further increase abuses and discourage DBay residents. Also, stated losses are 549. There are no cost cutting policy in force by the ferry service or bus service: engines are kept running when the bus is not moving and air-conditioning always to full cold, even if not warm outside. 9.5% increase can not be justified. It is too much! PARK ISLAND <-> CENTRAL = 22HK$ MUI WO <-> CENTRAL = 24.1 HK$ Max They use the same fuel !!! DB ferry = 33.8HK$!!! DB ferry is already too expensive. Directory: upload -> doc doc -> Traditional British values doc -> The Value of Modeling and Simulation Standards doc -> En décrétant le changement, l'immobilisme s'est mis en marche et je ne sais plus comment l'arrêter doc -> Catch Me If You Can: Evaluating Android Anti-Malware Against Transformation Attacks abstract doc -> Igel increases Multimedia Performance with Latest Versions of Citrix ica, vmware View Client and Microsoft RemoteFX doc -> Igel increases Multimedia Performance with Latest Versions of Citrix ica, vmware View Client and Microsoft RemoteFX doc -> From: Michael A. Latcha, Acting Associate Dean doc -> Various structural reforms in albania doc -> Appreciation Amphibious Car P. S. Vinod doc -> Effective Risk Communication for Android Apps abstract Download 197.36 Kb. Share with your friends:
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