Transport | 261
Bus-Bus Interchange schemes are implemented to encourage more efficient use of resources and limited road space, and to provide more choice for passengers. Fare discounts are offered to passengers when interchanging between designated bus routes. At year-end, a total of 245 bus-to-bus interchange schemes were in operation, involving about 400 routes.
Non-franchised Buses
Non-franchised bus services play a supplementary role in the public transport system. They relieve heavy demand on regular public transport services primarily during peak hours, fill the gaps which cannot be met by regular public transport services and provide tailor-made services to specific groups of passengers. They mainly serve tourists, groups of residents, employees and students. At year-end, there were 7 071 registered non-franchised buses of which 6 986 were in operation.
Based on the recommendations of the Transport Advisory Committee's review of the licensing and regulatory framework for non-franchised bus operation completed in July 2004, the Government continued to implement measures to improve the regulation of non-franchised bus operation in 2011. The measures aim at co-ordinating changes in non-franchised bus services with demand; strengthening control over non-franchised bus operation; and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement actions.
Public Light Buses
Hong Kong's public light buses (PLBs) are licensed to carry a maximum of 16 passengers per bus. At year-end, there were 4 350 PLBs.
There are two types of PLBs green and red. Green minibuses provide scheduled services with fixed routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables as stipulated by the Transport Department. At year-end, there were 3 057 green minibuses operating 351 major routes, which recorded a daily average of 1 530 000 passenger trips. Red minibuses are not required to operate on fixed routes or timetables. They may set their own fares but are subject to certain restrictions on their operating areas. There were 1 293 red minibuses in operation at year-end, recording a daily average of 360 000 passenger trips.
To further enhance safe PLB operations, the Transport Department introduced in June 2010 a new licensing condition requiring all PLBs to install speed limiters with a maximum speed set at 80 km per hour. The Government also introduced in July 2011 the Road Traffic (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2011 into the Legislative Council to provide the statutory provisions for introducing a package of measures to enhance the safety of PLB operations and quality of PLB services. The bill is being scrutinised by the Legislative Council.
To strengthen communication among passengers, the trade and the Government, the Transport Department publishes a PLB Newsletter regularly. With regard to road safety, six workshops were held for the operators and PLB drivers in 2011 to remind trade members and drivers of the importance of safe driving.