Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19 to open for applications on June 19

     The Transport Department (TD) today (June 16) announced the launch of the Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands 2017-19 to encourage schools, voluntary uniformed groups, non-governmental organisations, community and local groups and more to organise activities to visit Cheung Chau, Lantau (Mui Wo), Peng Chau and Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan). Successful applicants will be provided with free ferry rides to travel to and from the above four outlying islands to hold activities.
 
     A TD spokesman said, "The objectives of the Scheme are mainly to promote the local economy of outlying islands and to reduce the transportation costs of organisations for holding activities."
 
     The application period of the Scheme will be about two years, starting on June 19 and running to June 18, 2019. The Scheme will end earlier if the funding concerned is fully utilised before the end date of the application period.
 
     The TD has made arrangements for posters and leaflets with application forms for the Scheme, and will disseminate the relevant information to the public through the Education Bureau, the Home Affairs Bureau, the Social Welfare Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Labour Department, the Employees Retraining Board and so on. Members of the public may also visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) to obtain the details of the Scheme and download the application form. For enquiries, please call 1823.
 
     "The TD launched similar schemes in 2012, 2014 and 2015. During the application period in 2014 and 2015, about 1 300 applications were approved with about 108 000 free passenger trips provided to travel to and from Cheung Chau, Lantau (Mui Wo), Peng Chau and Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan)," the spokesman added.