Youtube link:
https://youtu.be/kxwz7YmqBFI?si=S2-bebZBejK3uWn_
Podcast PPT:
Transcript:
Yoyo:As time flies and the booming development of Hong Kong,there are more and more historical buildings and Hong Kong traditional culture disappearing.Today, we are going to discuss one of the hot debated topics “The vanishing of Star Ferry in ten years”.
Yoyo:The true icon of Hong Kong is definitely Star Ferry.Everytime we walk past the two sides of Victoria Harbour .We must see a vessel with a sharp green and white color.The dark green and ivory hull and the blue sea interweave the charming classic Victoria Harbor scenery.
Karin:Yeah right.Star Ferry always gives us a pretty nice memory with its special appearance and becoming a unique Hong Kong feature.
Yoyo:Exactly, it is one of the central piers and has already survived since 1880,with witnessing over one century of Hong Kong history.
Karin:Well yes!During the 1980s,due to the affordability,convenience and friendly price,star ferry was one of the most commonly-used public transport.
Yoyo:Yes,many Hong Kong citizens would take this way to cross the Victoria harbor,from Central and Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui,so the last generation will take this way to work or go school every day
Karin:I see your point !Star Ferry is undoubtedly the last generation’s childhood memory. .Moreover,some critical points of Star Ferry in the past are famous.In 1996 ,an incident was caused by the Star Ferry ‘s fare increase of HK$5 cents. Citizens took to the streets to protest against the fare increase.
Yoyo:It is well-known that a protest called by a teenager,Su Shou zhong, who made a high-profile statement on a hunger strike to protest against price increases
Karin:At last,they eventually won the support from the government.Another historical issue is the establishment of Hung Hom cross Harbour Tunnel in 1972.Citizens can have more choice to cross the Victoria Harbour, like travel from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai by bus.So we can see that the cross harbor tunnel is relatively decreasing the competitiveness of star ferry.
Yoyo:Apart from looking at the past ,or we can say because of its history,Star Ferry becomes a must-go travel spot for travelers. Everynight at 8pm ,travelers will make a special trip to enjoy the Symphony of Lights by taking the star ferry to look out from the boat. The scenery of Victoria Harbour will give everyone an unforgettable memory.
Karin: Although star ferry has an irreplaceable place in every Hong Kong people’s heart, it has started to fade in the past 20 years. One of the reasons is the change in transportation infrastructure. In the past, transportation was still not not comprehensive, ferry is the only transport for crossing the harbor. but as time went by,Cross-harbor tunnels and a world-class subway system whittled down the number of commuters that relied on the ferry. (John Ruwitch/NPR)
Yoyo: On top of this, Hong Kong is a fast-paced city. Locals’ won’t prefer to spend extra time on riding the slow-paced star ferry, leading to a decline in popularity of star ferries. Another factor that speeds up the decline of star ferry is the financial situation of star ferry companies. David, star ferry’s general manager, revealed that the firm had accumulated losses of more than HK$70 million over the past two years
Karin: he also added that ridership in the first two months of 2022 had plunged greatly. Coupled with the impact of the pandemic, the star ferry company to fall into financial difficulties. They no longer have the ability to operate the company and may be forced to close down in the coming 10 years.
Yoyo: if the star ferry continues to vanish and lastly disappear, this must bring great influence to the society. The main group of people that would be affected is the ferry industry. If star ferry vanished, undoubtedly the demand of ship supply and service will greatly diminished, leading to the occurrence of layoffs.
Karin: Yes definitely. When companies’ revenue decreases, they inevitably need to cut their expenditure. Captains, crew members and maintenance workers will lose their major financial income suddenly. Their skills can no longer guarantee a job for them and they will have pressure in seeking employment elsewhere
Yoyo: Ferry industry aside, tourists and tourist-related industries will also be greatly affected. Star ferry is an iconic mode of transport for tourists to appreciate the mesmerizing view of Victoria harbor. Without star ferry, tourists lost a spot to visit.
Karin:exactly! Local businesses such as shops and restaurants developed around the terminal will also experience a decline of customers. These stakeholders will definitely show an opposing attitude towards the disappearance of star ferry. However, there are also some groups that show positive attitudes towards the fading of star ferry.
Yoyo: land developer might be one of the groups. The land occupied for ferry piers and parking areas can be redeveloped for other purposes if ferry service stopped. New recreational, commercial or residential plans can be carried out to solve the housing or land scarcity problem.
K: As we can see, the star ferry plays an important role in Hong Kong society, so the government and the public took different actions to preserve this “treasure”.
Yoyo: Yes, government has provide financial subsidies to alleviate the financial burden of company to help maintain their operation so that the star ferry company can continue to service the public
Karin: Apart from that, the star ferry company also upgraded and modernized their facilities to ensure customers’ safety. Facilities like waiting areas, ticket counters and washrooms are all renovated. Different activities and promotion are also made to attract people to take a ride
Yoyo: Even in the face of the shrinking ferry industry, the Star Ferry has always accompanied the people of Hong Kong for hundreds of years and is an important landmark of Hong Kong.So we should try our best to not let it vanish.
References
https://www.nextstophongkong.com/star-ferry/#what
https://www.hkmemory.hk/MHK/collections/hkplaces/AllItems/images/201107/t20110723_43948_cht.html
https://www.hkphil.org/what-s-on/50th-anniversary-celebration/music-journey-with-star-ferry
