Contracts of franchised bus operators renewed

Hong Kong’s three franchised bus operators have had their contracts renewed for another 10 years, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said on Tuesday.

Cheng told reporters the Executive Council on Tuesday had approved the renewals by New World First Bus, Citybus and Long Win Bus Company after considering their commitment to improve service quality.

This included a switch to more eco-friendly buses, fare concessions, route rearrangement to increase efficiency, and installing features to help access for elderly and disabled people, Cheng said.

New World First Bus mainly covers Hong Kong Island; Long Win buses operate between the New Territories and North Lantau; and Citybus routes ply from urban areas and Tseung Kwan O to North Lantau.

The three companies’ current contracts would expire between May and July next year.

Cheng said their commitment to move to more eco-friendly vehicles was the most important factor for winning the new contracts. She said the three operators would together replace 700 old buses, or 70 per cent of their fleet, with newer models.

She said the fare concessions would come in the forms of section fare and interchange discounts and range from 30 cents to HK$24.9 per ride.

They were expected to benefit 8,000 passengers in Tung Chung, the Chek Lap Kok airport, Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong Island East, Cheng said