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38-516: The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited ( KMB ) is a bus company operating franchised services in Hong Kong . It is the largest bus company in Hong Kong by fleet size and number of bus routes, with over 4,000 buses - mostly double deckers - and 420 routes. It is a subsidiary of Transport International . KMB was founded on 13 April 1933 as a result of the reformation of public transport by

76-478: A bus service . These routes all serve at least one of the following Tuen Ma line stations: Tuen Mun , Siu Hong , Tin Shui Wai , Long Ping and Yuen Long , as well as several Light Rail stops. Passengers may enjoy free travel on MTR Bus routes (except K52A ) if they transfer to or from Tuen Ma line or Light Rail using the same Octopus card . Special routes are also operated in winter for those flocking to

114-506: A capacity of 16 or 19 passengers (19 seat minibuses were introduced in 2017). The capacity was 14 before the 1980s. They provide feeder services to buses and the railway. There are 4,350 minibuses in Hong Kong and this figure has been capped by the Transport Department as available licences. They can be divided into two types: red public minibuses and green public minibuses. The red public minibuses, which number around 1,200 of

152-608: A passenger pays the entire fare upon boarding regardless of point of alighting. Many routes provide "step down fare" after a certain journey distance has been completed. There are several types of routes including normal routes, limited-stop routes and express routes. The non-franchised bus services of Hong Kong are provided by different private bus companies as a means to relieve the demand on franchised buses and green public minibuses in rush hour. They also serve some remote places which are deemed non-profitable for franchised bus and green public minibus operators to serve. According to

190-501: A staff of over 12,000. In 1979, Citybus began its operation in Hong Kong with one double-decker, providing shuttle service for the Hong Kong dockyard. It later expanded into operating a residential bus route between City One , Sha Tin and Kowloon Tong MTR station . New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) was established in 1998, taking over China Motor Bus 's franchise to provide bus services on Hong Kong Island together with Citybus. NWFB's parent company later bought Citybus, but

228-665: Is a public non-franchised bus service in Hong Kong operated by the MTR Corporation , serving the northwestern part of the New Territories . It comprises a network of 22 feeder bus routes for the convenience of passengers using the MTR rapid transit network, providing access to and between many MTR stations on the Tuen Ma line and Light Rail . The service carried approximately 51 million passengers in 2019 and

266-411: Is given for paying by the latter. Some routes such as cross-harbour routes and Disneyland Resort routes are operated jointly by two companies. Fares are distanced-based although longer distances are comparatively cheaper than shorter distance fares on a per km basis. Hong Kong's bus fare system is based on where a passenger boards, e.g., "tap on" but not where a passenger alights, e.g., "tap off". As such,

304-721: Is integrated with MTR's fare system to allow Tuen Ma line and Light Rail passengers who use Octopus cards to enjoy the free feeder bus services that link many housing estates along these lines. Along with the Light Rail, the MTR Bus service also plays an important role in the internal transport network of Tuen Mun , Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai . The similarly named MTR Feeder Bus refers to feeder bus routes connecting to East Rail line . Currently only 4 MTR Feeder Bus routes serving Tai Po Market station are in operation. While also managed by MTR Corporation's Bus Operations division,

342-861: Is one of the few cities in the world that bus services are not operated or owned by the Government. These are the four franchised bus companies in Hong Kong: Mainly provides service in Kowloon and New Territories, operating about 400 routes with about 3,850 buses. Some of them are cross-harbour routes, either solely operated or jointly operated with Citybus. Mainly provides service on Hong Kong Island, operates 197 bus routes, including 106 Hong Kong Island routes, 63 cross-harbour routes, 9 Kowloon and New Territories routes and 19 routes to Tung Chung/Airport. It operates 1,168 buses. Mainly services Tung Chung, Disneyland Resort and routes shuttling between

380-525: The Hong Kong Government . Before the reformation, there were several independent bus operators working on both sides of Victoria Harbour including KMB. The Hong Kong Government enforces the bus franchises in favour of the franchisees, while it prosecutes the operators of unauthorised private bus services and other types of authorised bus service that pick up or drop off passengers in franchised bus parking zones. The KMB franchise allowed for

418-724: The KCR West Rail (later MTR West Rail line and now part of Tuen Ma line ) commenced service in 2003, the KCR Bus service took up the new role of being the feeder transport of the new rail link. The existing feeder and auxiliary bus network were reorganised. On 2 December 2007, the transport operations of the MTR Corporation and the KCRC were merged . The MTRC took over the KCR Bus service and renamed it "MTR Bus". The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) is, according to

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456-520: The Lantau Link to the new Hong Kong International Airport and Tung Chung . In 1998, KMB extended its business into mainland China with a co-operative joint venture, Dalian Hong Kong Macau Company. In 1999, due to the abuse of the free fare imposed on KCR East Rail feeder routes (K12 - K18) as non-franchised buses, the KCR signed a contract with KMB which stated that these routes are operated de facto by

494-585: The Transport Department , there were 8111 registered non-franchised buses in Hong Kong as of 13 March 2014. Generally speaking, the services are divided into the following categories: On the other hand, MTR Corporation also operates some feeder bus routes in Tuen Mun , Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long to complement its Tuen Ma line and Light Rail services. The public light buses in Hong Kong are passenger transport vehicles ( minibuses ) with

532-467: The 1950s and 1960s when the " South China - Kowloon Motor Bus Co. crash" ( 南巴大戰 ) was one of the highlighted rival matches in Hong Kong. In 1970/71 , the team faced their first relegation, but was able to stay in the First Division as Jardines quit the league in the following season. However, the team were relegated in 1972/73 . It made its last First Division League appearance in 1976/77, but

570-575: The 4,350 do not need to operate on fixed routes or fixed schedules and may charge any fare desired, although special prohibitions apply. Green public minibuses operate on fixed routes in set frequencies stipulated by the Transport Department of Hong Kong. Other kinds of light bus services, for example, the Nanny van transports provided by such van owners during the 1980s are considered illegal beyond their operation routes. MTR Feeder Bus MTR Bus (legally Northwest Transit Service Area Bus Service )

608-596: The Airport and New Territories, operating 19 routes with 165 buses. Mainly provides service on Lantau Island, operating 22 Lantau routes and 1 New Territories route with 108 buses. These companies no longer provides franchise bus service in Hong Kong: The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) is one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world. KMB's fleet consists of about 3,800 buses on 400 routes and

646-583: The KCRC believed that it was advantageous for the Corporation itself to have full control of the bus operations that would perform feeder functions to its railways. It was against this backdrop that the KCRC established a Bus Division in 1986, and placed an order for 31 MCW Metrobus double deckers with Metro Cammell Weymann . The KCR Bus service started operation on 6 September 1987 when it took over route 59B ( Siu Hong Court to Butterfly Estate ) from KMB. The KCRC gradually built up its own bus fleet, and as

684-512: The KCRC would monopolise all internal public transport services. Upon the commissioning of the LRT system, the incumbent operator Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) had to withdraw from all internal routes it was operating in the area, and external routes could not carry passengers travelling solely within the area. As the TSA also covers housing estates and remote settlements not directly served by the LRT network,

722-639: The KMB as franchised bus routes while all profits goes to the KCR corporation; this contract is still in effect after the KCR-MTR merger. In July 2007, KMB commenced operating a 10-year franchise, that has since been renewed until June 2027. In April 2023, KMB celebrated its 90th anniversary. As of December 2023, KMB operated 446 routes in Kowloon and the New Territories , and operates cross- harbour tunnel routes in which some are operated in co-operation with

760-500: The LRT service came into operation on 18 September 1988, more of KMB's Tuen Mun and Yuen Long routes were transferred to the KCRC. Since the commencement of LRT service, the KCR Bus service had primarily played the role of linking remote housing estates and rural settlements such as Tai Lam and Tai Tong to the LRT network. Free interchange was offered to LRT passengers transferring to feeder bus routes, and vice versa. The KCRC Bus Division also operated auxiliary routes that supplements

798-781: The MTR Feeder Bus routes are franchised bus routes under Kowloon Motor Bus 's franchise. In the 1980s, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) undertook the construction of operation of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Northwest New Territories. To ensure the financial viability of the LRT system as much as possible, the Hong Kong government established the Northwest Transit Service Area (TSA; 西北鐵路服務範圍, commonly known as 輕鐵專區) within which

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836-580: The MTRC, as an arrangement enshrined in the Mass Transit Railway Ordinance (Cap. 556). As of January 2023, MTR Bus operates a total of 20 regular routes, including 9 serving Tuen Mun District and another 11 serving Yuen Long District . All existing MTR Bus routes are prefixed with K (e.g. K51, K75A) with the sole exception of route 506, which was once a Light Rail route and retained its original numbering after its conversion into

874-490: The end of 2025, which will account for an eighth of the total bus fleet. KMB operate four depots in Kowloon and the New Territories . The depot of a bus is identified by the letter K, L, S, or U, and the letter is marked on the bottom left of the driver's windscreen or below windscreen. The assignment scheme is as follows: In addition, these depots with the exception of the Kowloon Bay Depot are responsible for

912-449: The first air-conditioned bus in Hong Kong was put into service by KMB. Following the testing of double-deck air-conditioned buses Victory and Jubilant in the early 1980s, KMB became the world's first operator of such buses. All purchases after 1995 were for air-conditioned buses. In May 2012, KMB withdrew its last non-air-conditioned buses from service. Some of the newer third-generation buses have solar photovoltaic panels installed on

950-576: The general Mass Transit Railway (MTR) lines, franchised buses and ferries are charged concessionary fare of $ 2 per trip, starting from 2012. The scheme aims to help build a caring and inclusive society by encouraging these groups to participate more in community activities. In 2018, KMB launched the KMB Monthly Pass. Fares are fixed at HK$ 780, and are not applicable to MTR Feeder Bus services operated by KMB. Holders are able to take 10 rides on ordinary routes and 2 rides on route B1 per day during

988-479: The huge influx of immigrants from Mainland China. In 1949, KMB bought 20 Daimler double-deckers from England, becoming the first operator of double-deckers in Hong Kong. Following the opening of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in 1972, KMB operated a number of cross-harbour routes jointly with China Motor Bus , the sole bus operator on Hong Kong Island . This marked the first time KMB buses running on

1026-499: The inadequacies of the LRT service. These A-prefixed routes did not offer interchange concession to LRT passengers. By the mid-1990s, two express bus routes (K1X, K2X) connecting Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai to the Tuen Mun Ferry Pier were established to encourage residents to make use of the hovercraft service to Central , in order to alleviate the traffic conditions along the heavily overloaded Tuen Mun Road . When

1064-487: The island. In the same year, KMB began experimenting with buses operating without a fare collector. All passengers would board from the front door and pay the fare by putting money into the collection box next to the driver. [1] In 1996, KMB launched an advertising campaign to promote modern image. It is the first bus company advertising in Hong Kong. On 1 June 1997, KMB formed a subsidiary, Long Win Bus , to provide service on

1102-420: The maintenance of part of the fleet owned by Long Win Bus , since the KMB and LWB are owned by the same parent company. Kowloon Motor Bus also has a Hong Kong football club, Kowloon Motor Bus Co. It was formed in 1947 and joined Hong Kong First Division League in the 1947/48 season . Nicknamed "Atomic Bus", the team obtained the only two league titles in 1953/54 and 1966/67 . The team attained its peak in

1140-413: The operation of public omnibus service on the Kowloon side as well as the New Territories . By 11 June 1933, KMB had a fleet of 106 single-deck buses. The founding members of KMB were: By December 1941, KMB had 140 single-deckers operating on 17 routes. As only a handful of buses survived World War II , some lorries were temporarily converted into buses. By the late 1940s, KMB ridership increased with

1178-685: The provisions of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance (Cap. 372), authorised to operate bus services within the North-west Transit Service Area (TSA), and is also allowed to charge fares from passengers of such service. Under the Service Concession Agreement entered into between KCRC and the MTR Corporation (MTRC), the former's rights to operate bus services within the TSA has been granted to

Kowloon Motor Bus - Misplaced Pages Continue

1216-418: The roof which reduces fuel use by 5-8% which would otherwise be used for the air conditioner. This is expected to reduce 6 t (5.9 LT) of carbon emissions on each bus per year. In the late 1970s, it began to purchase chassis from European manufacturers MAN , Mercedes-Benz , Scania and Volvo . KMB's original liveries were combinations of red and cream. In the early 1990s, a white and grey livery

1254-460: The two companies had basically been operating independently until the two companies merged on 1 July 2023. Hong Kong franchised bus routes have a fixed path, fare, service hours and schedule. Urban routes mostly operate with double-decker buses , which have become a distinguishing feature of Hong Kong. Passengers are required to pay their bus fare when they board the bus, and all buses accept payment by either Octopus card or cash; however no change

1292-403: The two other bus operators New World First Bus (by June 2023) and Citybus while some are operated by themselves solely. The following is the numbering system of bus routes that the KMB currently adapts: Routes 200-299 previously meant deluxe bus services provided by the KMB (similar to the P prefix shown below), and in the 1990s, all 2xx routes provided air conditioned bus services only. Since

1330-622: The validity month of the pass. Passes can be purchased using an Octopus card at machines installed at major public transport interchanges and bus terminals. As of the end of 2023, Kowloon Motor Bus operated a fleet of 4056 buses. 584 Euro VI buses (including 3 diesel-electric buses), 2,935 Euro V buses and 10 battery-electric buses . KMB traditionally purchased buses from English manufacturers including AEC , Daimler , Dennis , Guy Motors , Leyland , Metro Cammell Weymann and Seddon , that either were bodied in England or locally. In 1975,

1368-559: The withdrawal of the last non air-conditioned bus in 2012, all bus routes operated by the KMB uses air-conditioned buses, hence this assignment had practically lost its meaning. Passengers pay the fare in cash (no change given), with a contactless credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Amex, UnionPay, Discover, JCB), QR code payment, mobile wallet or using an Octopus card , a smart card payment system. Discounts apply for Octopus users on specified route interchange combinations. To enable elderly people and eligible persons with disabilities to travel on

1406-401: Was introduced for air-conditioned buses, followed in 1997 by a champagne livery. In June 2017, a red and silver livery was introduced, as well as a new logo, dropping its character and Chinese slogan, retaining only the wordmark, but with a darker shade of red. In the 2020s, KMB introduced a vivid "Electric Green" livery on zero emission buses. KMB expects to have 500 battery electric buses by

1444-510: Was relegated after only one season. The football team quit the league in 1981 and reformed in 2017 . Bus services in Hong Kong Bus services in Hong Kong can be roughly divided into three types: franchised buses, non-franchised buses and public light buses. As of 2023, there are four privately owned bus companies providing franchised bus services across Hong Kong, operating more than 700 routes with some 5,800 buses. Hong Kong

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