Transport Department - Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2012

Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2012

	Objectives
	Eligibility
	Application Procedures
	Frequently Asked Questions

Objectives

To promote the local economy of Cheung Chau, Lantau Island (Mui Mo), Peng Chau and Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan), facilitate the needy groups in organising activities at reduced transport costs and boost the patronage of outlying island ferry services, the Government launches the “Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2012” (the “Scheme”) that provides free ferry rides to encourage eligible organisations to organise activities to these outlying islands.

Eligibility

Applicants should belong to one of the following categories:
(1)	approved charitable institutions of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap.112);
(2)	non-governmental organisations subvented by the Social Welfare Department;
(3)	schools registered under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279), post-secondary colleges registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320), member institutions of the Vocational Training Council and tertiary institutions established under their own ordinances (e.g. the eight University Grants Committee-funded institutions, The Open University of Hong Kong, etc);
(4)	appointed training bodies of the Employees Retraining Board and appointed training bodies of youth employment and training programmes administered by the Labour Department;
(5)	uniformed groups subvented by the Home Affairs Bureau;
(6)	District Councils;
(7)	Heung Yee Kuk; or
(8)	community and local groups (Rural Committees, Area Committees, Owners’ Corporations and Mutual Aid Committees).

Application Procedures

Application form and notes for application

Application form and notes for application are available at the following locations:

	Licensing Offices of the Transport Department
	Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department
	District Social Welfare Offices of the Social Welfare Department
	Regional Education Offices of the Education Bureau

You may also click here to download the application form and notes for application (PDF Format). Applicants are advised to read the notes for application before completing the form.

How To apply

The application form is divided into four parts:

	Part A Applicant and Activity Information
	Part B Signatory of the Person-in-charge of the Activity of the Applicant
	Part C Application Result
	Part D Ferry Operator’s Written Confirmation

The applicant must duly complete Parts A & B of the application form and submit the original copy of Parts A, B & C of the application form together with copies of supporting documents by post or in person to the following address:

Ferry and Paratransit Division,

Transport Department,

Room 4036, 40/F, Immigration Tower,

7 Gloucester Road,

Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

(Please mark “Application for Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2012” on the envelope)

Please keep Part D of the application form for later use.

The applicant is required to submit a duly completed application form together with copies of supporting documents at least 30 days prior to the date of its proposed activity.

Applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis. In general, the Transport Department will inform the applicant of its application result with Part C of the application form by fax within a month upon receipt of the duly completed application form and all the required documents as stated in the form.

If the application is accepted, the applicant is required to contact the relevant ferry operator on their own at least one week in advance to make prior arrangements for the ferry rides in respect of the proposed activity.

On the day of the activity the applicant is required to present to the ferry operator Part C of the approved application form, as well as Part D for completion and signed confirmation with the ferry operator before the ferry rides. The ferry operator will keep the original copy of Part D for reimbursement while the applicant may make a copy for record.

Enquiries

Please call the 1823 Call Centre for enquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

1.	Q.	Which outlying islands are included in the “Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2012”?
	A.	The Scheme covers four outlying islands, namely Cheung Chau, Lantau Island (Mui Wo), Peng Chau and Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan).

2.	Q.	Which ferry routes can we take?
	A.	Eligible applicants may apply for taking the “Central – Cheung Chau”, “Central – Mui Wo”, “Central – Peng Chau”, “Central – Yung Shue Wan” or “Central – Sok Kwu Wan” ferry routes to and from the outlying islands concerned.

Eligibility

3.	Q.	Is the Scheme applicable to travel agencies?
	A.	According to the Scheme, applications from travel agencies will not be considered.

		The eligibility criteria of the Scheme are set out in detail in the leaflet cum application form. You may also refer to the section of “Eligibility” on this webpage.

Application procedures

4.	Q.	Is there any application fee?
	A.	No application fee is required.

5.	Q.	Apart from the duly completed application form, what other relevant documents are required to be submitted for application?
	A.	(a) Documentary proof of eligibility of the applicant ; (b) Details of the proposed activity, e.g. itinerary showing the tentative date and time for taking the ferry (departure and return trips); (c) Promotion leaflets of the proposed activity (if any); (d) Other relevant documents in support of the application (if any).

6.	Q.	Are eligible applicants required to state clearly the proposed date of the activity on the application form? Would there be any restriction on the date?
	A.	Eligible applicants must state clearly the proposed date of the activity on the application form for the consideration by the Transport Department.

		This arrangement can avoid too many applicants using a particular ferry route on the same date which may affect the operation of that ferry route. If a certain number of organisations have been approved to use a particular ferry route on a particular date for organising activities, the Transport Department may request the subsequent applicants to change their proposed date of activity.

		To fully utilise the funding, applicant must complete the activity concerned within 9 months from the date of application.

Details of the Scheme

7.	Q.	What is the maximum number of participants that will be accepted for the proposed activity in each application?
	A.	In view of the capacity of the ferries concerned and to avoid affecting daily commuters, the number of participants of each proposed activity is limited to 200 on weekdays and 150 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

8.	Q.	Can we take free rides on deluxe class of the ordinary ferries of the “Central – Cheung Chau” and “Central – Mui Wo” ferry routes?
	A.	This Scheme is not applicable to deluxe class of ordinary ferry service.

9.	Q.	Why eligible applicants can apply to take free ferry rides to and from Cheung Chau on Mondays to Fridays only?
	A.	Currently, the demand for the “Central – Cheung Chau” ferry service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays is great. To avoid affecting the operation of this ferry route on these days, the Transport Department will only accept applications for organising activities in Cheung Chau on Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays and during Cheung Chau Bun Festival [from 26 to 30 April 2012]). There is no such restriction on other four ferry services under the Scheme.

10.	Q.	If my application is accepted, will the ferry operator concerned reserves the seats for us on the date of activity?
	A.	Approval of the application does not imply that seats on ferry vessel have been reserved by the relevant ferry operator. The applicant must contact the relevant ferry operator on their own at least one week in advance to make prior arrangements for the ferry rides in respect of the proposed activity.

11.	Q.	How can we contact the ferry operators?
	A.	The telephone numbers and websites of the ferry operators are as follows: (a) “Central – Cheung Chau” / “Central – Mui Wo” routes: New World First Ferry Services Ltd. Telephone No.: 2131 8181 Website: www.nwff.com.hk (b) “Central – Peng Chau” route: Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd. Telephone No.: 2533 5333 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk (c) “Central – Yung Shue Wan” route: Islands Ferry Company Ltd. Telephone No.: 2533 5333 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk (d) “Central – Sok Kwu Wan” route: Winnertex Ltd. Telephone No.: 2533 5333 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk