Please note that the application period of the "Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19" has ended on 18 June 2019. For any enquiries about the Scheme, you may contact the enquiry hotline at 1823 or Transport Department's staff of the Scheme at 3842 5825 or 3842 5809.

 


"Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19"

 
Purpose of the Scheme
In order to promote the local economy of outlying islands, and to reduce the transportation cost of organizations for holding activities, the Government launches the "Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19" ("the Scheme") to encourage eligible organizations to hold activities in Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, Lantau Island (Mui Wo) and Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan) with the provision of free ferry rides.
 
Eligibility

Eligible applicants of the Scheme are as follows:

  (1) approved charitable institutions of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap.112);
  (2) non-governmental organizations 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
Icon Application forms and notes for application
   
  • Application forms and notes for application are obtainable at the following offices:
    - Licensing Offices of the Transport Department
    - District Offices of the Home Affairs Department
    - District 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 making their applications.
Icon 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 the application form together with copies of supporting documents by fax at 3528 0564, by post or in person to the following address:

    Ferry Section,
    Transport Department,
    14/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices,
    11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
    (Please mark "Application for Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19" on the envelope.)
  • The duly completed application form should be submitted to the Scheme Secretariat at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed activity.
  • Applications will be processed on first-come-first-served basis. The Scheme Secretariat will inform the applicants by fax of their application results within 15 working days upon receipt of all the required information. If the applications are accepted, the Scheme Secretariat will return to the applicants their application forms with endorsements marked on Part C of the application forms.
  • Applicants are required to contact the relevant ferry operators on their own at least 7 working days in advance to make prior arrangements for the ferry rides in respect of the proposed activities.
  • Before taking the ferry ride, the applicant is required to present Part C of the duly accepted application form and, together with the ferry operator, properly fill in the information required in Part D and sign for confirmation. The ferry operator will keep the original copy of Part D for reimbursement purpose while the applicant may make a copy for their own record.
Icon Enquiries
   
  • For any enquiries about the Scheme, you may contact the enquiry hotline at 1823 or Transport Department's staff of the Scheme at 3842 5825 or 3842 5809.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
General
1. Q. Which outlying islands are included in the Scheme?
  A. The "Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19" 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 following outlying island ferry routes:
   
Period Route Vessel Type
Tuesdays to Thursdays (except public holidays and Cheung Chau Bun Festival Period) Central – Cheung Chau Ordinary ferry (Ordinary class only)
Any days Central – Mui Wo
Central – Peng Chau
Central – Yung Shue Wan
Central – Sok Kwu Wan
Fast ferry or ordinary ferry (Ordinary class only)
 
Eligibility
3. Q. Is the Scheme applicable to individuals or travel agencies?
  A. No. Applications from individuals in their personal capacity (including members of Legislative Council or District Councils, or office of such members) or travel agencies for profit-making purpose will not be accepted.
     
4. Q. Can we start the ferry trip from Island to Central? Why not?
  A. No. Applicants must start the ferry trip from Central Piers because the Scheme aims to encourage eligible organisations to visit these outlying islands from other parts of Hong Kong by providing free ferry rides. With a view to enabling the eligible organisations on Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau or Lamma Island to be benefited from the Scheme, the Scheme only accepts the concerned organisations to take the departure trip from Island to Central.
 
Application
5. Q. How many applications can an organisation submit?
  A. Applications will be processed on first-come-first-served basis. There is no limit on the number of application for an organisation to submit.
     
6. Q. Is there any application fee?
  A. No application fee is charged on the applicant.
     
7. Q. What supporting documents are required for applications?
  A. (a) Documentary proof to show the eligibility of the applicant;
(b) Details of the proposed activity, e.g. itinerary of the proposed activity, showing the proposed date and time for taking the ferry (departure and return trips), promotion leaflets of the proposed activity, if any; and
(c) Other relevant documents in support of the application, if any.
     
8. Q. Do applicants need to specify that free ferry rides are provided under the Scheme in their publicity materials and documents?
  A. Yes. Applicants must publicise in all publicity materials and documents related to the activities that the ferry rides are provided free of charge under the Scheme.
     
9. Q. How will an applicant be notified of the application result?
  A. The Scheme Secretariat will inform the applicant by fax of the application result within 15 working days upon receipt of all the required information.
     
10. Q. How many participants can be accepted for the proposed activity?
  A. If the application is accepted, the number of participants of the proposed activity should not exceed 200 on weekdays and 150 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
     
11. Q. Can we take deluxe class of the ordinary ferry under the Scheme?
  A. This Scheme is not applicable to deluxe class of the ordinary ferry.
     
12. Q. If my application is accepted, will ferry operator reserve seats for us automatically?
  A. The approval of the application does not imply that seats on ferry vessel(s) have been reserved by relevant ferry operator. The applicant must contact the relevant ferry operator on their own at least 7 working days in advance to make prior arrangements for the ferry rides in respect of the proposed activity.
     
13. Q. How can we contact the ferry operator?
  A. The telephone numbers and websites of ferry operators are as follows:
(a) "Central to Cheung Chau" / "Central to Mui Wo":
      New World First Ferry Services Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2131 8181 Website: www.nwff.com.hk
(b) "Central to Peng Chau": Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2522 1966 / 2533 5338 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk
(c) "Central to Sok Kwu Wan": Winnertex Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2522 1966 / 2533 5338 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk
(d) "Central to Yung Shue Wan": Islands Ferry Company Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2522 1966 / 2533 5338 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk
     
14. Q. What is the use of Part D of the application form?
  A. Before taking the ferry ride, the applicant is required to present the duly accepted application form to the pier staff and to properly fill in Part D of the application form jointly with the pier staff and sign for confirmation. The pier staff will keep the original copy of Part D for reimbursement purpose while the applicant may make a copy for their own record.
     
15. Q. What is the enquiry hotline of this Scheme?
  A. For any enquiries about the Scheme, you may contact the enquiry hotline at 1823 or Transport Department's staff of the Scheme at 3842 5825 or 3842 5809.
     
16. Q. Can we download the application form and notes for application from the Internet?
  A. Applicants may click here to download the application form and notes for application (PDF Format).