An express sea boat from Panyu to Hong Kong International Airport started operation Wednesday, reducing travel time to about 80 minutes, Guangzhou newspapers reported.

Passengers going to the airport previously had to change buses or trains after arriving in Hong Kong, and a trip took at least two hours, the Southern Metropolitan News said.

The boat sets off from Lotus Hill Dock at 10:30 a.m. every day, and leaves the airport at 3:30 p.m. on the return trip. Passengers of flights taking off after 2 p.m. can take the boat to the airport. More runs can be added if the passenger flow rises.

The boat charges 200 yuan (US$24) for adults and 100 yuan for children. Its passengers will have their HK$120 (US$14) airport departure tax returned at the airport.

Border-crossing procedures of the boat passengers are done at the dock.

Free buses on five routes carry passengers to the dock every morning. There are a total of 18 stops on the way.

The route has greatly reduced travel time for passengers from Guangzhou and areas in the northern part of the Pearl River Delta

(Shenzhen Daily December 17, 2004)