The Transport Department announced today that the Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands is open once again for applications to encourage schools, uniformed groups and non-governmental organisations, as well as community and local groups, to hold activities on the islands. Successful applicants will be provided with free ferry rides to and from the islands covered in the scheme.

The scheme was first launched in 2012 to promote the local economies of the outlying islands, reduce travelling expenses for activity organisers and boost ferry service patronage. It was suspended from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relaunching today, the scheme has been expanded to include not only services running to and from Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, but also ferries plying between various destinations on Lantau – namely Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O – and Ma Wan.

Applicants are required to submit to the department a completed application form together with copies of relevant supporting documents at least 30 days before the date of any proposed trip. To avoid affecting local residents’ daily use of ferry services, the maximum number of participants for each trip will be limited in accordance with operating conditions on the routes.  

Posters and leaflets with application forms will be given out through the Education Bureau, the Social Welfare Department and the Home Affairs Department.