"Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands"

 

(In view of the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic situation, application for the "Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands" has been temporary suspended until further notice.  For any query, please contact us at 3842 5810.)

 
Purpose of the Scheme
In order to promote the local economy of Cheung Chau, Lantau Island (Mui Wo, Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O), Peng Chau, Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan) and Ma Wan, facilitate the needy groups to organise activities at reduced transport costs and boost the patronage of the outlying island ferry services, the Government launches the "Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands " ("the Scheme") to provide free ferry rides to encourage eligible organizations to hold activities on the outlying islands.
 
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" 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 5810.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
General
1. Q. Which outlying islands are included in the Scheme?
  A. The "Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands" covers five outlying islands, namely Cheung Chau, Lantau Island (Mui Wo, Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O), Peng Chau, Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan) and Ma Wan.
     
2. Q. Which ferry routes can we take?
  A. Eligible applicants may apply for taking the following outlying island ferry routes:
   
Ferry routes Commencement dates of Application Maximum no. of applicants per sailing Available days and time Available services
(1)"Central - Mui Wo"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 July 2020    

Ordinary class of ordinary ferry

Weekdays: 200

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 150

Fast ferry

80

Ordinary class of ordinary ferry

 No restriction

Fast ferry

Weekdays and Saturdays: Non-peak hours only (i.e. 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.)

Sundays and Public Holidays:

No restriction (except 3.30 p.m. to 6.40 p.m. (Central bound))

 

 

 

No restriction
(2)"Central - Cheung Chau"

Weedays: 200

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 150

   		 Tuesdays to Thursdays only (except public holiday and Cheung Chau Bun Festival periods) Ordinary class of ordinary ferry (except deluxe class of ordinary ferry)
(3)"Central - Peng Chau" No restriction   No restriction  
(4)"Central - Yung Shue Wan"
(5)"Central - Sok Kwu Wan"
(6)"Ma Wan - Central"

Weedays: 100

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 80

Non-peak hours on weekdays (i.e. except 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (Central bound) and 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. (Ma Wan bound))

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays

No restriction
(7)"Ma Wan - Tsuen Wan"

Weedays: 150

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 70

 No restriction

No restriction
(8)"Aberdeen - Sok Kwu Wan (via Mo Tat)" 200 No restriction No restriction
(9)"Aberdeen - Yung Shue Wan (via Pak Kok Tsuen)" Mid-July 2021 The Transport Department will discuss the details with ferry operators before the new licence periods commence. Details will be announced on the TD's website.     
(10)"Tuen Mun - Tung Chung - Sha Lo Wan - Tai O" Mid-August 2021
 
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, Lantau Island, Peng Chau, Lamma Island or Ma Wan 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. The maximum number of participants, days, time and services open for applications will be restricted. You may refer to Question 2 in Frequently Asked Questions. With regard to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, applications should comply with the latest requirements set out in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation.
     
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 5333 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk
(c) "Central to Sok Kwu Wan": Winnertex Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2522 1966 / 2533 5333 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk
(d) "Central to Yung Shue Wan": Islands Ferry Company Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2522 1966 / 2533 5333 Website: www.hkkf.com.hk
(e) "Ma Wan to Central and Ma Wan to Tsuen Wan": Parkisland Transport Company Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2946 8883 Website: www.pitcl.com.hk
(f) "Aberdeen to Sok Kwu Wan via Mo Tat": Chuen Kee Ferry Ltd.
      Telephone No.: 2375 7883 / 2982 8225 Website: www.ferry.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 5810.
     
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).