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Cross Harbour Bus Operations8.5.9 The cross-harbour bus services are operated both by CMB and KMB. Most routesare operated by both companies, although KMB has three routes of its own and thushas rather more than half the patronage. These routes also carry significant noncross-harbour passengers; in 1985 it was estimated that some 35% of routepatronage was of this type. The patronage figures reported by CTS-2, however, referonly to those passengers who cross the harbour. Projections are summarised belowby tunnel (in thousands of passengers per day).1986 1996 GrowthCross Harbour Tunnel 336 340 1%Eastern Harbour Crossing — 49 —Western Harbour Crossing — 50 —Total 336 439 31%8.5.10 As a result of the additional tunnels and the growth in cross harbour traffic, the crossharbour bus traffic is projected to grow by 31% despite the two additionalcross-harbour rail links included in the network.8.6 Ferry Operations8.6.1 Ferry traffic has been much affected by the provision of the cross-harbour road andrail tunnels. Opening of new tunnels, including the Eastern Harbour Crossing now inconstruction and further new tunnels recommended by CTS-2, will further affectferry operations.The Star Ferry Company8.6.2 Star Ferry operates three routes; Central to Tssm Sha Tsui, Central to Hung Horn, andTsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai. These are ail in the central harbour area, linking majortraffic generators. The projected traffic growth for each route is shown below (inthousands of passengers per day):1986 1996 GrowthCentral to Tsim Sha Tsui 101 118 17%Central to Hung Horn 15 18 20%Wanchai to Tsim Sha Tsui — 21 —Total 116 157 35%8.6.3 Patronage on the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui route reached a little over 160 000 in thelate 1970s prior to the opening of the MTR. After the initial losses, patronage hasbeen slowly recovering, reaching 91 000 by 1986. The route serves two of the majorand expanding commercial areas and also attracts some tourist traffic. The congestionon the MTR reinforces the attraction of ferry, leading to a projected patronage ofaround 120 000 per day in the mid 1990s.8.6.4 The Central to Hung Horn route is expected to lose some patronage when the ferrypier is moved further away from the KCR station during the reclamation of HungHorn Bay. On completion of the reclamation, the new developments could accommodateup to 50 000 people and 10 000 jobs within easy walking access of the ferrypier, and with a service taking them directly to job opportunities in Central. Thereforethe route is expected to remain attractive.8.6.5 The Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai route started operating in April 1988, and by the endof the year had a regular daily patronage of more than 10 000. There are more officesand hotels yet to open on Wan Chai reclamation; therefore the projected patronageof 21 000 in 1996 should be reached easily.162