ENG-2014 — Page 263

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Transport

were run jointly with KMB. NWFB had a licensed fleet of 711 buses, of which 667 were wheelchair-accessible low-floor vehicles. NWFB recorded 177 million passenger trips in 2014 (a daily average of 484,800 passenger trips) covering 44.49 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 29 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 957 buses, of which 729 were wheelchair-accessible low-floor vehicles. CTB recorded 236 million passenger trips in 2014 (a daily average of 647,500 passenger trips) covering 79.62 million kilometres of roads.

The Long Win Bus Company Limited provides services between the New Territories and North Lantau and the airport with a licensed fleet of 179 buses, all wheelchair-accessible low-floor vehicles. The company recorded 34.83 million passenger trips (a daily average of 95,400 passenger trips) over its 19 routes, covering 26.13 million kilometres of roads in 2014.

The New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited provides bus services on Lantau Island with a licensed fleet of 111 vehicles, of which 45 were wheelchair-accessible low-floor vehicles. The company recorded 25.23 million passenger trips in 2014 (a daily average of 69,100 passenger trips) covering 8.5 million kilometres of roads over its 23 routes.

In 2014, the government continued rationalising bus services vigorously using the Area Approach (ie bus services are reviewed on an area, rather than route by route, basis) to enhance network efficiency, improve service quality, alleviate traffic congestion, and improve roadside air quality. Passengers could enjoy a more extensive interchange network and fare concessions when interchanging. Better passenger facilities, such as route information panels, free wifil service and electronic panels providing estimated bus arrival time, have been provided at selected interchanges. In 2014, the government applied the Area Approach to rationalise bus routes in Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tsing Yi and Yuen Long, and a bus-bus interchange was set up at Tsing Sha Highway Toll Plaza to facilitate passengers' interchange between New Territories East and the urban area.

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, estate residents, employees and students. At year-end, there were 7,033 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 4,349 PLBs.

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