XN000022-1996-10-22 — Page 2

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Bus franchises for new airport and Tung Chung awarded

Following consultation with the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, the Governor-in-Council has approved the grant of new bus franchises to Citybus Limited (Citybus) and Long Win Holdings Limited (Long Win) to operate 25 public bus routes to the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and Tung Chung New Town.

Of these routes, 12 will be operated by Long Win, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), and Citybus will run the other 13 routes.

The consultants for the Transport Study for the New Airport (TRANSNA) have recommended the provision of a network of bus services (composed of 25 routes) to serve the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and North Lantau.

To introduce more competition and to promote the development of high quality bus services to meet the rising expectations, the Government tendered out these 25 routes in two packages, which include airbuses, external services from North Lantau to urban areas, internal shuttle services and overnight services to serve the new airport and Tung Chung New Town.

The Government received a total of six tenders from three companies.

A Government spokesman said: "In evaluating the tenders, the Government have taken into account the quality of service and fare levels proposed by the tenderers, their management and financial capability, and experience in operating bus services.'

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"Citybus and Long Win will deploy new air-conditioned, low-floor double- deck buses with luggage compartments to run these services. Both operators will introduce special customer services such as luggage handling assistance and on-bus equipment to facilitate ease of access by passengers with luggage and people with a disability. Concessionary fares will be offered for passengers aged 65 or above. There will be no separate charges for luggage."

"The fare for each route will range from $17 to $45 for airbus services, from $10 to $18 for external services, from $3 to $7 for internal shuttle services and from $20 to $35 for overnight services. Concessionary fares will be offered for passengers aged 65 or above."

Seven routes, including an overnight external service, will start operation in mid-1997 to tie in with the first population intake in Tung Chung New Town and the build-up of airport employees. The entire bus network will be in full operation upon the opening of the new airport in 1998.