ENG-1988 — Page 262

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TRANSPORT

KMB also operates three cross-harbour services of its own, including two air-con- ditioned coach services to and from the airport. At the end of 1988, the company had a fleet of 2 770 registered vehicles, comprising 2 667 double-deckers, 35 single-deckers and 29 coaches and 39 small coaches. Most of the expansion of bus services operated by KMB took place in the new towns in the New Territories, including three new express services with three inter-new-town services and eight external services to Kowloon. The company also operated four routes within the New Territories using air-conditioned 24-seat small coaches. KMB also continued to experiment with an air-conditioned double-deck bus.

During the year, KMB carried 1082 million passengers and operated 216 million vehicle-kilometres, which represented a decrease of 0.5 per cent and a decrease of 2.4 per cent respectively from the previous year. In June 1988 the company's franchise was extended to August 31, 1997.

The China Motor Bus Company Limited operates 81 routes on Hong Kong Island and Ap Lei Chau, and 18 cross-harbour routes jointly with KMB. At the end of 1988, its fleet comprised 1 006 double deckers and two single deckers. These vehicles carried 318 million passengers and travelled 53 million vehicle-kilometres during the year.

An application for a two-year extension of the existing CMB franchise, from September 1, 1991 to August 31, 1993, is to be considered by the Executive Council early in 1989.

On Lautau Island, the New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited (NLB) operates seven regular-and two recreational routes with a fleet of 60 buses, 13 of which were double- deckers. In 1988, NLB vehicles carried an average of 7 400 passengers every weekday, but recreational demand boosted this figure to 18 400 on Sundays and public holidays. During the year NLB's franchise was extended to March 31, 1995.

Franchised bus services were supplemented by a fleet of 3 026 non-franchised public buses operated on a contract-hire basis, as well as 144 private buses operated by private housing developments and factories for their own needs.

Minibuses

The size of the public light bus (PLB) fleet has been fixed at 4 350 vehicles since May 1976. In February 1988, the Governor in Council approved an increase in the PLB maximum seating capacity to 16. The necessary legislative amendments took effect in December 1988. Some PLBs are used on scheduled services (green minibus services) and others on non-scheduled services (red PLB services).

In 1988, there were 3 075 red PLBs carrying about 960 000 passengers daily, whereas there were 180 green minibus routes utilising 1 275 PLBs in operation throughout the territory, with about 619 000 passengers being carried daily. Concessionary fares for handicapped passengers, elderly persons and students are offered on some green minibus routes. Approval was given to some green minibuses in the New Territories to carry goods for hire and reward. A fleet of 2 448 private light buses was maintained by schools, private residential developments and commercial enterprises for their own needs.

Residential Coach Services

Residential coach services were introduced in 1982 to cater for the transport needs of the more isolated residential areas that have no direct access to franchised bus services. These services are authorised under passenger service licences and must operate in accordance with approved schedules of service with routes, timetables and stopping places clearly specified. A licence is usually valid for one year, and may be renewed, depending on the continued need for the service.