ENG-1998 — Page 303

TRANSPORT

Before its franchise expired, CMB operated 83 routes on Hong Kong Island, 41 cross-harbour routes jointly with KMB and two cross-harbour routes on its own. Its registered fleet comprised 718 double-deck buses and 28 single-deck buses, of which 181 and 28 were air-conditioned respectively. They carried 104.92 million passenger trips in 1998 and travelled 30.3 million kilometres during the year. Fares ranged from $2.40 to $34.20. Children under 12 were offered concessionary fares on every service except routes with urban limited stop, recreation and Island Eastern Corridor express routes. Passengers aged 65 or over were offered concessions on all CMB route except airport routes.

Local bus services on Hong Kong Island are provided by NWFB and CTB. NWFB, a new entrant to the bus service market, was granted a five-year licence to operate from September 1, 1998, to July 31, 2003.

At the end of 1998, NWFB operated 61 local routes and 32 cross-harbour routes, 30 of which were jointly operated with KMB. It had a registered fleet of 841, 378 of which were air-conditioned. Its fares ranged from $2.70 to $34.20. Concessionary fares were offered on every route to children under 12 and passengers aged 65 or above. The company's bus services carried 46.98 million passenger trips and travelled 13.84 million kilometres in the first four months of operation.

CTB operates two bus networks under two franchises. The first franchise covers the period from September 1, 1996, to June 30, 2006, comprising 64 bus routes on Hong Kong Island and 28 cross-harbour routes, 21 of which are jointly operated with KMB. On September 1, 1998, the company took over 11 routes from CMB.

CTB has a second franchise lasting from June 1, 1997, until May 31, 2003

to operate a network of 15 routes linking major districts in Hong Kong and Kowloon with Tung Chung and the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.

At the end of 1998, CTB had a registered fleet of 955 buses, all of which were air- conditioned buses, 299 were 'super' low-floor single-deck buses and 267 were double- deck buses with provision for wheelchair passengers.

CTB's fares ranged from $2.50 to $45.50. Concessionary fares were offered to children under 12 and passengers aged 60 or above on Hong Kong Island routes, except night bus and recreational routes; and to children under 12 and passengers aged 65 or above for cross-harbour and Tung Chung/Airport routes. The company's bus services carried over 183 million passenger trips and travelled approximately 65 million kilometres in 1998.

The New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited (NLB) provides bus services on Lantau Island. Its franchise period is from April 1, 1997, to March 31, 2007. It runs 20 routes with a registered fleet of 87 vehicles. In 1998, NLB carried 5.99 million passenger trips and travelled 4.65 million kilometres. Children below 12 and passengers aged 65 or above enjoy concessionary fares on all routes.

The Long Win Bus Company Limited (LW) commenced bus operations for North Lantau and the new airport in June 1997. Its franchise expires on May 31, 2003. At the end of 1998, a total of 160 air-conditioned double-deck and three air-conditioned single-deck buses were serving the full network of 14 bus routes, which mainly linked up the New Territories with Tung Chung and the new airport. In 1998, LW carried 14.3 million residents and travelled 15 million kilometres. Like NLB, LW offers

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