To promote an accessible environment for passengers, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) has established the “Task Force for Promoting a Universally Accessible Maritime Environment.” Adopting a user-centered perspective, the task force undertook a comprehensive review of the entire travel process—from parking and ticket purchase to immigration clearance and boarding—aiming to ensure that passengers with disabilities may travel seamlessly between maritime and land-based transportation systems.

The key initiatives for promoting accessibility in maritime transport are as follows:

1.    The MPB developed a subsidy program for accessible facilities on public transport vessels and their connecting shore-side infrastructure. The program includes the formation of the Operational Directions Governing Subsidies for Accessible Facilities on Public Transport Vessels and Shore-Side Infrastructure (hereinafter referred to as the “Subsidy Directions”). These subsidies support the improvement of existing public transport vessels and shore-side facilities, assisting both local governments and operators in upgrading ferry terminals and public transport vessels to enhance accessibility.

2.    Regarding vessel operations, the MPB has established a system for disclosing information on accessible maritime routes and providing accessibility training for passenger vessel crew members. Through these training efforts, the MPB aimed to instill a service-oriented mindset among operators, thereby improving the overall quality of accessible services within the maritime transport environment.

3.    In accordance with the Regulations for the Evaluation of Public Transport Operations and Services, the MPB conducts a biennial “Evaluation of Operations and Services for Fixed-route Passenger Maritime Transport to Offshore Islands.” This process serves as a supervisory mechanism to promote enhancements in the quality of accessible services at terminals and aboard vessels.

4.    Vessel Equipment:

(1)     A tiered management system was adopted for improving existing passenger vessels.

(2)     In accordance with the Regulations for the Installation of Accessibility Facilities on Public Transportation Vehicles and the Design Specifications for Accessibility Facilities in Buildings, amendments were made to both the Regulations for the Administrating of Passenger Ship and the Regulations for the Administration of Small Vessels. These amendments require that newly built passenger vessels and small passenger vessels operating on fixed routes, schedules, terminals, and fares, must be equipped with accessibility signage and related facilities.

(3)     In accordance with the Subsidy Directions, public transport vessel operators are provided with financial assistance to upgrade accessibility facilities on their vessels, ensuring that multiple routes now include at least one vessel offering accessible transport services.

5.      Port Facilities: 

      With reference to relevant accessibility provisions such as the “Architectural Technical Regulations—Building Design and Construction Part and the Design Specifications for Accessibility Facilities in Buildings, commercial port development plans and public infrastructure construction projects were formulated. These initiatives aim to support local governments and port operators in improving commercial port spaces and ferry terminal environments.

6.      Shore-Side Infrastructure:

(1)    The MPB commissioned professional contractors to complete the “Planning Project for Shore-Side Infrastructure Connecting Vessels and Terminals” and the “Pilot Project Report on Shore-Side Infrastructure Construction.” These projects provided improvement strategies for the shore-side facilities at ferry terminals, and the resulting findings are made available to the competent terminal authorities for reference.

(2)    Pursuant to the Subsidy Guidelines, financial support was provided to local governments for enhancing the accessibility of shore-side infrastructure.