Shuttle bus & ferry services cut trips amid manpower crunch & high fuel prices
發佈日期: 2026-04-08 20:26
TVB News
Several shuttle bus and ferry services have announced service frequency cuts, citing manpower crunch.
But the transport sector lawmaker says that's also driven by persistently high fuel prices, urging the government to consider allowing public transport operators to levy a fuel surcharge to ease their financial strains.
ABC transport operator runs four estate shuttle bus routes, linking Tuen Mun with urban areas.
At the morning stop for the routes crossing the harbour to Central and Wan Chai, long queues could be seen during the rush hours.
A passenger says this is the usual time he takes the bus, but he still had not managed to get on today.
Another passenger says there have been more of these situations -- it's a bit worrying.
The bus company has merged its 7:40 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. departures into a single journey, while the scheduled run after 8 a.m. has been cancelled.
The company had recently announced the cuts citing high fuel costs, although transport regulators had not yet approved the change.
The company added that several staff members were still recovering in hospital or had not returned from travel, forcing temporary service adjustments.
Ferry services have also been affected.
Park Island Transport announced route changes because of staff shortages.
Two morning and four evening sailings were cancelled, with replacement bus services arranged.
Transport sector lawmaker Lothair Lam says persistently high fuel prices have made it increasingly hard for transport operators to stay profitable.
He notes before the Middle East tensions, fuel costs accounted for around 10 to 20 percent of total operating expenses. Now, it's nearly half the cost. Every extra journey uses more fuel and adds to losses. Lam suggested that public transport operators should be allowed to levy fuel surcharges.
Under current regulations, changes to public transportation schedules or service delivery commitments must be approved by the Transport Department.
The Transport Department says it is closely monitoring fluctuations in global oil prices and their impact on Hong Kong's transportation sector.
