ENG-2001 — Page 314

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TRANSPORT

Other Road-based Passenger Transport

comprising mainly franchised account for 67 per cent of all

The other road-based passenger transport modes buses, public light buses, taxis and residents' service public transport journeys. Franchised buses are the largest road-based carriers and account for about 39 per cent of the total daily public transport volume.

Franchised Buses

Local bus services in Kowloon and the New Territories are largely provided by the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB). At the end of 2001, the company operated 327 bus routes in Kowloon and the New Territories; 21 and 29 cross-harbour routes jointly with Citybus Limited (CTB) and New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) respectively; and 10 cross-harbour routes on its own.

The KMB fleet comprised 4 371 licensed vehicles at the end of 2001, with 4 122 double-deck buses, and 249 single-deck buses, of which 2 701 and all 249 were air- conditioned, respectively. Of all the licensed vehicles, 911 were wheelchair-accessible buses.

KMB recorded 1.11 billion passenger trips (a daily average of 3.04 million trips) and covered 349 million kilometres in 2001. 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 New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) and Citybus Limited (CTB). At the end of 2001, NWFB operated 58 bus routes on Hong Kong Island, seven routes serving Tseung Kwan O and 32 cross-harbour routes, 29 of which were operated jointly with KMB. It had a licensed fleet of 757 buses of which 733 were air-conditioned and 580 were wheelchair-accessible.

NWFB recorded 194.5 million passenger trips (a daily average of 533 000 trips) and covered 56.7 million kilometres in 2001. NWFB's fares ranged from $3 to $34.20. Concessionary fares were offered on all routes to children under 12 and elderly passengers.

CTB operates two bus networks under two franchises. One of the franchises comprises 67 bus routes on Hong Kong Island and 27 cross-harbour routes, 21 of which are operated jointly with KMB. The other franchise comprises a network of 16 routes linking major districts in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories with Tung Chung and the airport.

At the end of 2001, CTB had a licensed fleet of 957 buses, all of which were air- conditioned, and 74 were wheelchair-accessible. The company recorded 216 million passenger trips (a daily average of 593 000 trips) and covered 82 million kilometres in 2001. 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. The company recorded 6.83 million passenger trips (a daily average of 19 000 trips) and covered 4.8 million kilometres in 2001. It runs 23 routes with a