ENG-2000 — Page 302

TRANSPORT

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KMB carried 1.08 billion passenger trips and covered 329 million kilometres in 2000. Its existing franchise commenced on September 1, 1997, and will expire on July 31, 2007. Fares ranged from $1.20 to $38. Children under 12 and elderly passengers were offered concessionary fares on all KMB routes.

Local bus services on Hong Kong Island are provided by NWFB and CTB. At the end of 2000, NWFB operated 60 bus routes on Hong Kong Island, two routes serving Tseung Kwan O and 32 cross-harbour routes, 29 of which were jointly operated with KMB. It had a licensed fleet of 730 buses of which 705 were air-conditioned and 511 were wheelchair-accessible buses. Its fares ranged from $2.40 to $34.20.

Concessionary fares were offered on all routes to children under 12 and elderly passengers. The company's bus services carried 187 million passenger trips and covered 55.5 million kilometres in 2000.

CTB operates two bus networks under two franchises. One of the franchises comprises 66 bus routes on Hong Kong Island and 25 cross-harbour routes, 20 of which are jointly operated with KMB.

The other franchise comprises a network of 16 routes linking major districts in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with Tung Chung and the airport.

At the end of 2000, CTB had a licensed fleet of 960 buses, all of which were air- conditioned buses, and 267 were wheelchair-accessible.

CTB's fares ranged from $2.50 to $45. Concessionary fares were offered to children under 12 and elderly passengers on Hong Kong Island routes (except recreational routes) and on cross-harbour and Tung Chung/airport routes.

The New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited (NLB) provides bus services on Lantau Island. It runs 22 routes with a licensed fleet of 84 vehicles. Children under 12 and elderly passengers are offered concessionary fares on all routes.

The Long Win Bus Company Limited (LW) provides bus services for Tung Chung and the airport. At the end of 2000, a total of 159 buses were serving a total of 15 bus routes: all were air-conditioned buses and 149 were wheelchair-accessible. The routes mainly linked the New Territories with Tung Chung and the airport. LW also offers concessionary fares for children under 12 and elderly passengers on all routes.

To allow more route choices to passengers, encourage more efficient use of existing bus resources and reduce the number of buses along busy corridors, seven new Bus- Bus Interchange (BBI) schemes were introduced from March. They are located at Kwun Tong Road, Western Harbour Crossing, Causeway Road, Wan Chai Ferry, Tin Shui Wai town centre, Tate's Cairn Tunnel and Admiralty.

A study on the feasibility of introducing a trolley bus system in Hong Kong was commissioned in March. The study is expected to be completed in early 2001. It will provide a clearer idea on whether trolley buses are feasible and financially viable in Hong Kong as a public transport mode.

Non-franchised Buses

Non-franchised bus services mainly provide residents' service and employees' service, and serve groups of tourists and students on a group-hire basis. They perform a supplementary role in the public transport system by providing services primarily during peak hours. At the end of 2000, there were 6 352 licensed non-franchised buses.