The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited (KMB) and Long Win Bus Company Limited (LWB) noted that the sharp surge in fuel costs has severely affected their operating revenue and expenditure, and asked the government to process their fare adjustment applications to ensure the stable development of services.
Photo source: reference image
The two bus operators said that fuel expenditure accounts for a significant proportion of their franchised bus operating costs. Since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis in late February this year, refined oil prices have risen from around US$85 per barrel to an average of US$170 per barrel, with prices having surged by nearly 200% at their peak, exceeding US$250 per barrel. Refined oil prices remain persistently high and highly volatile. In the absence of government subsidies, and despite implementing various cost control measures to mitigate the negative financial impact, KMB and LWB still pointed out that their operating conditions have inevitably been affected, and they must adopt other measures to maintain a financially sustainable position.
Photo source: reference image
The two operators hoped the government would expedite the processing of the fare adjustment applications so that the bus companies can operate and develop sustainably and reasonably.
To support the development of the Northern Metropolis and the upcoming move-in of residents at Fung Wong Leng Estate in Fanling, The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. (“KMB”) announced that it will introduce new Route 77 next Monday (August 17), connecting the new estate with Fanling and Sheung Shui. The route will pass through Luen Wo Hui, Fanling Station Bus-bus Interchange (BBI), Pak Wo Road (Flora Plaza, Fung Ying Seen Koon), and North District Hospital, making it easier for residents to travel and go about their daily business. KMB will also offer a two-way section fare between Fung Wong Leng Estate and Lok Wo Street; eligible passengers can enjoy the fare discount.
The new Route 77, Photo by Bastille Post
KMB’s Head of Communications and Public Affairs Kenny Kan said the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, and the HKSAR Government is also pressing ahead with related work. The Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas are the first new development areas in the Northern Metropolis to enter the construction stage. Around 55,000 people are expected to move in by the end of next year, with a long-term capacity for about 227,000 new residents. After being selected through a tender exercise conducted by the Transport Department, KMB has become the first bus company to serve the new development areas of the Northern Metropolis. It will operate several routes, with the first Northern Metropolis route, Route 77, entering service next Monday to meet the daily travel needs of residents of the new estate and construction workers during the initial intake period.
The new Route 77, Photo by Bastille Post
The new Route 77, Photo by Bastille Post
The new Route 77, Photo by Bastille Post
The new Route 77, Photo by Bastille Post
KMB's Operations Director Kelvin Yeung said the new Route 77 will pass through Luen Wo Hui in Fanling, Fanling Station Bus-bus Interchange (BBI), Pak Wo Road (Flora Plaza, Fung Ying Seen Koon), and the North District Hospital, making it convenient for residents to buy daily necessities and handle various matters. KMB has introduced a two-way section fare between Fung Wong Leng Estate and Lok Wo Street. Passengers can enjoy the fare discount simply by tapping the same Octopus card on the fare reader, or by using the same e-payment tool to validate their journey when boarding and alighting.
KMB announced that it will introduce new Route 77 next Monday (August 17), connecting the new estate with Fanling and Sheung Shui. Photo by Bastille Post
Kelvin Yeung said KMB will operate seven new bus routes in the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas. Two of these will be intra-district routes: the soon-to-be-launched Route 77, and a planned route between Kwu Tung North and Sheung Shui Station. The five external routes will include services between Kwu Tung North and Lam Tin; between Kwu Tung North and Kwai Fong; between Fanling North and Kowloon Bay; between Fanling North and Sham Shui Po; and the new Route 276D, which runs between Sheung Shui (Choi Yuen) and Tin Shui Wai Town Centre via Kwu Tung North.
The new Route 77, Photo by Bastille Post
Asked about KMB’s transport arrangements at the new Huanggang Port, Kelvin Yeung said the overall drill on August 13 went as expected, and KMB exchanged views with the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Transport Department after the drill. He noted there is still room for improvement in some passenger waiting arrangements and signage. KMB will actively make improvements and continue refining its services during upcoming drills.
KMB announced that it will introduce new Route 77 next Monday (August 17), connecting the new estate with Fanling and Sheung Shui. Photo by Bastille Post
On the recent controversy over air-conditioning on buses, Kenny Kan said that in response to the recent extreme heat, KMB is closely monitoring seasonal changes and temperature fluctuations and is setting cabin temperatures based on the experience of bus captains and passengers. It is now gradually lowering cabin temperatures. As the fleet is large, the adjustments need to be carried out in phases, with the aim of providing passengers with the most comfortable travel experience.
