ENG-2013 — Page 262

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Transport

accessible low-floor buses. NWFB recorded 182 million passenger trips in 2013 (a daily average of 498,800 passenger trips) covering 46.8 million kilometres of roads.

CTB operates two bus networks under two franchises. One covers 59 bus routes on Hong Kong Island, one bus route in the New Territories and 30 cross-harbour routes, 22 of which are operated jointly with KMB. The other franchise covers a network of 19 routes plying between the urban areas and North Lantau and the airport. At year-end, CTB had a licensed fleet of 952 buses, of which 624 were wheelchair-accessible low-floor buses, and in 2013 recorded 235 million passenger trips (a daily average of 643,300 passenger trips) covering 81.23 million kilometres of road.

The Long Win Bus Company Limited provides services between the New Territories and North Lantau and the airport with a licensed fleet of 172 buses, all wheelchair-accessible low-floor buses. The company made 33.18 million passenger trips (a daily average of 90,900 passenger trips) over its 19 routes, covering 25.82 million kilometres of roads in 2013.

The New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited provides bus services on Lantau Island with a licensed fleet of 108 vehicles, of which 43 were wheelchair-accessible low-floor buses. The company recorded 23.6 million passenger trips in 2013 (a daily average of 64,700 passenger trips) covering 7.7 million kilometres of road over its 23 routes.

In 2013, the government began rationalising bus services more vigorously through an Area Approach (ie bus services are reviewed on an area, rather than route by route, basis) to enhance network efficiency, alleviate traffic congestion, reduce fare increase pressure and improve roadside air quality. Passengers could enjoy a more extensive interchange network and fare concessions when interchanging. New routes will be introduced where there are service needs. Better hardware, such as electronic panels providing information on real-time traffic conditions and estimated bus arrival time, has been provided at selected interchanges. Area Approach proposals were implemented in North District and Tuen Mun in 2013 and other districts will benefit in subsequent years.

Non-franchised Buses

Non-franchised bus services play a supplementary role in the public transport system. They relieve heavy demand on regular public transport services primarily during peak hours, fill the gaps which cannot be met by regular public transport services, and provide tailor-made services to specific groups of passengers. They mainly serve tourists, groups of residents, employees and students. At year-end, there were 7,054 registered non-franchised public buses.

Public Light Buses

Hong Kong's public light buses (PLBS) are licensed to carry a maximum of 16 passengers per vehicle. At year-end, there were 4,350 PLBs.

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There are two types of PLBs green and red. Green minibuses (GMBs) provide scheduled services with fixed routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables as stipulated by the Transport Department. At year-end, there were 3,110 GMBS operating 345 routes, which recorded a daily average of 1,512,200 passenger trips. Red minibuses (RMBS) are not required to operate on fixed

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