This ferry route is a completely separate issue from the YSW-Central and Sok Kwu Wan-Central routes under dispute now. But it's also up for re-tender (not sure about the timing, anybody has this info?).

Our Rural Council has submitted their "Suggestions to the Transport Dept." (dated Oct '07) for publication on this website. They're asking for more ferries (like they did for the YSW-Central route in another letter), one in the morning where there's a 3-hour gap in the schedule and even one at 2am, an interesting alternative to a late Central-YSW ferry which we're having no chance whatsoever of getting anymore.

We can't know how realistic or not these fine suggestions of the Rural Council have of being realised in the re-tender by the Transport Dept. and if they'll even be included in the re-tender at all. Don't hold your breath...
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Suggestions to the Transport Department from Lamma Island North Rural Committee

Suggestions regarding the forthcoming tender for the Yung Shue Wan – Aberdeen (via Pak Kok Village) route.

Our committee has collected views and opinions through our village representatives regarding the forthcoming tender for the Yung Shue Wan – Aberdeen (via Pak Kok Village) route; also, we held special meetings on the 5th October 2007 with executive members of our committee and at the 4th general meeting on 7th October 2007 to discuss again this issue.

After various consultations with the community and discussions at meetings, our committee would like to summarize different opinions that apart from insisting no changes to the present sailing schedules, we demand addition of the following sailings, in order to improve the overall quality of life for all the members of the island.

Suggested Sailing Additions

Aberdeen - Yung Shue Wan
Daily (Mon-Sat)
- Day time: 10:00, 15:00
- Evening Time: 21:45, 22:45
- Mid-Night: 02:00

Sunday and Public Holidays
- Day time: 06:30
- Evening Time: 21:00, 22:00
- Mid-Night: 02:00

Yung Shue Wan - Aberdeen
Daily (Mon-Sat)
- Day time: 10:30, 15:30
- Evening Time: 22:15, 23:15

Sunday and Public Holidays
- Day time: 07:00
- Evening Time: 21:30, 22:30

After careful discussions and consultation with the community, we put forward the above stated suggestions and views on the forthcoming tender for Aberdeen – Yung Shue Wan (via Pak Kok Village) ferry service and sailing arrangements. We hope that Transport Department will seriously consider our views and suggestions.

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I made almost the same suggestion more than two years ago.

http://www.lamma.com.hk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2551

I went to the 2pm meeting today in Pak Kok, arranged by the vice chair of the Lamma Island (North) Rural Committee, Mr Chow.

For Pak Kok the turnout was OK - mainly locals (65% if I had to make a guess). The foreigners were asked for their opinions on the ferry schedules and service - we were given blank paper to write on which were then collected in.

I am confused that none of the local people living in Pak Kok seem to get the fact that if the YSW to Central route that carries approx 7000 people a day is losing money then surely our smaller route which carries 1000 people can't be making a profit. Bearing this in mind they are still asking for additional ferries.

After some talk it came about that the letter mentioned in the post above had been sent by the LIRC but that they were going to send another one - surely this will make them seem like they don't know what they are talking about.

I am going to write to the transport department myself and cc it to the LIRC and also to the ferry company.

From the meeting today I gathered that the locals want ONE more ferry at around 10pm from Aberdeen and that the foreigners were quite happy with the service although we agree it would be nice to have the option of an additional later one, in the current climate we are attempting to be realistic.

Actually, it might.
On the cost side, a smaller ferry will have a smaller fuel consumption, fewer crew. On the income side, so it depends on how full the ferries are.

Returning hom from Aberdeen on the last ferry at 8:15pm - after watching 2 movies in Cyberport - Lammadonna's male assistant was handing out this questionnaire to passengers. In Yung Shue Wan, Lammadonna herself and her female assistant were collecting the filled-in questionnaires.

Asking the actual ferry passengers for their opinions, what a novel and unusual concept in local politics! Would have been nice to do the same for the Central - YSW and Central - SKW routes. Well, better late than never.

You're welcome to print out this questionnaire, fill it in and return it to Lammadonna's office.

I wonder if we can get the results of the questionnaire...

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What can I do on this side of the East Lamma Channel? I wonder would any of the Southern District Councillors listen to me...

I wonder if they'd consider installing a soundproofed play zone for kids?

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“We can confirm that the ferry has sunk."

Or a special kids' ferry! Splendid idea!

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Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

Dearest all residents in Lamma Island.

We would like to announced that we insist the following ferry time table for all the goodwill of Lamma's Resident.

Thank you for your attention.

Lamma Island (North) Rural Comittee

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Dear residents of Lamma Island,

Please kindly express your support if you are agree with the schedule proposed by the Lamma Island (North) Rural Committee. Send to:

Traffic Department

tdenq@td.gov.hk <tdenq@td.gov.hk>

And we will be sure it would be a great help for us to deal with Traffic Department.

Thank you for all generous attention.

Regards,

Lamma Island (North) Rural Committee

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This is, indeed, great to hear and gives me hope for the future of community politics here on Lamma.

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead