On top of the usual popular Star Ferry, there are other operators crossing the Victoria Harbour at other locations between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The New World First Ferry operates the Hung Hom – North Point route, connecting the two nearby piers in only 8 minutes, which is otherwise a long way around if travelling by road or rail. It is also the only ferry service still serving Hung Hom Ferry Pier, located close to Whampoa MTR Station.
The Hung Hom Ferry Pier is located just beside the former Hung Hom Ferry Pier Public Transport Interchange, which now sits unfortunately empty.
The facade of the Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
Heading into Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
The view of Hong Kong Island from Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
The view of North Point Ferry Pier from Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
Heading to the terminal.
Some protest graffiti can be seen along the promenade.
I headed to check out the former Star Ferry pier on the west berth first.
The shuttered Star Ferry pier. This route to Central was supposed to be revived last year, but no news has been released about it so far.
Heading back to the New World First Ferry pier.
The sign for the New World First Ferry service to North Point.
A sign indicated the gate closing time for the next ferry.
Heading into the waiting room.
There is a non-operational turnstile leading to the waiting room, with lots of signs telling passengers to simply proceed in.
Fares can be paid with Octopus or cash at North Point Ferry Pier.
Inside the waiting hall of Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
The sign for the New World First Ferry service to North Point inside the waiting room.
The seats in the waiting room look like former bus seats converted to a waiting bench with additional metal frames. They were really comfortable compared to regular waiting benches.
The ramp down to the boarding pontoon with the gates closed.
The timetable of the New World First Ferry between Hung Hom and North Point as posted in the waiting room.
The incoming ferry from North Point to Hung Hom.
Plenty River will be taking me from Hung Hom to North Point.
Mooring to alongside with Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
Waiting for the gates to open.
Incoming passengers disembark from the other side.
A New World First Ferry crew opens the gates once disembarking passengers have cleared.
Boarding the Plenty River to North Point.
As I wanted to sit in the upper deck for better views, I walked along the deck on the side to the stairs in the aft.
Heading up the stairs to the upper deck.
The interior of the non-air-conditioned upper deck of the Plenty River.
I took a seat on a side bench for better views of Victoria Harbour.
The view from my seat.
Most passengers opted to stay on the lower deck. I wonder why.
Turns out that the lower deck is air-conditioned, which is what commuters would want, rather than a good view of Victoria Harbour.
The capacity of this double-deck Plenty River.
Departing from Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
Looking back at Central.
Looking back at Hung Hom Ferry Pier.
Heading on to North Point.
Passing by The Harbourfront Landmark.
The skyline of Kowloon Bay.
The facade of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, sitting on the former Kai Tak Airport runway.
Approaching North Point Ferry Pier.
Looking back at Hung Hom.
Hmm, looks like the Penang Ferry.
The skyscrapers at North Point.
Berthing at North Point Ferry Pier.
Disembarking from the Plenty River.
Heading up the gangway from the floating pontoon.
Heading into the terminal.
The fare gates greet you in the terminal.
Heading to tap my Octopus on the fare gate to pay for my ferry ride. The ferry ride from Hung Hom to North Point costs HK$7.50.
I you are heading in reverse, the fare gates for the ferries to Kowloon City and Hung Hom are the same.
Heading out of North Point Ferry Pier through the small wet market.
The facade of North Point Ferry Pier. North Point Ferry Pier is also very close by to North Point MTR Station, so it’s easy to continue my journey by the MTR from there.
Overall, a convenient ferry service linking two nearby points which would otherwise take a longer time and distance by land. Unfortunately, the frequency isn’t as great as the Star Ferry, though current passenger numbers might not warrant an increase in frequency. Hopefully, more people would know about this shortcut in the middle of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, so ridership would increase.