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LCQ17: Conversion of red public light buses to green public light buses
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    Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 7):

Question:

     To encourage the conversion of red public light buses (RMBs) to green public light buses (GMBs), which operate on fixed routes with their services and fares under direct control of the Transport Department (TD), TD identifies some suitable new GMB routes, combines them into a number of packages and then invites applications from operators of RMBs and GMBs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) for GMBs and RMBs respectively, of the numbers of registered vehicles, passenger volume, as well as traffic offences and traffic accidents involving their drivers (with the numbers broken down by the causes of accidents) in each of the past three years;

(b) of the respective numbers of new GMB routes identified and approved by TD in each of the past three years, the departure and destination points of each approved route, as well as the number of minibuses serving each approved route;

(c) given that there are more than 20 RMB routes departing from Mongkok at present, whether the Government has initiated discussions with the relevant operators on the feasibility of introducing GMB routes; if it has, of the relevant details; and

(d) of the new measures to encourage the conversion of RMBs to GMBs?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The numbers of registered vehicles and daily patronage for Green Minibuses (GMBs) and Red Minibuses (RMBs) from 2004 to 2006 are shown in table (a) in Annex 1.

     The number of Police prosecutions against Public Light Bus (PLB) drivers in breach of traffic regulations are 12,990; 13,280 and 12,129 for 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively. As the Police does not keep separate prosecution records for GMBs and RMBs, we can only provide the numbers and types of prosecutions against traffic offences for all PLBs from 2004 to 2006 (see table (b) in Annex 1).

     The numbers of GMB and RMB drivers involved in traffic accidents over the past three years are shown in table (c) in Annex 1.

     A breakdown of the causes of traffic accidents is at Annex 2.

(b) TD planned nine new GMB routes in the past three years, namely five in 2004 and four in 2005. Six of them were launched in 2004 and 2005. The origins and destinations of these routes and the number of PLBs deployed for these routes are at table (d) in Annex 1.

     Since no tender bid was received for the planned new GMB circular route between Kwai Chung (Lai Kong Street) and Sham Shui Po (Po On Road), the service was not introduced. A new route between Kowloon City (Wyler Gardens) and Lok Fu MTR Station and a new circular route between Kowloon City (Kowloon City Road) and Kowloon Hospital are now under planning and are scheduled for operation in the first quarter of 2007.

(c) & (d) We note that some members of the PLB trade have proposed the direct conversion of RMB routes to GMB routes. TD maintains regular contact and communication with members of RMB trade, including RMB operators in Mongkok, to discuss issues concerning RMBs. However, given that the operation of RMBs is more flexible, operators and drivers of many of the routes are subject to change, and that both the routeings and frequencies are not specified, the suggestion on direct conversion of current RMB routes to GMB routes will involve complicated route repackaging and vehicle deployment issues. Having regard to the different nature of RMB and GMB services, the government needs to cautiously consider the suggestion of directly converting RMB routes to GMB routes.

     To tie in with the policy of promoting the conversion of RMB to GMB so as to maintain the frequency, fares and service quality of PLBs service, TD will develop new routes suitable for GMB operation having regard to the demand for public transport and group these new routes into packages based on factors such as geographical conditions and operational viability. TD will invite interested operators, including RMB operators, to submit their applications for operation of the new GMB packages.

     According to the existing GMB operators selection criteria laid down by TD, applicants for operating new GMB routes who are new entrants to GMB trade (including incumbent RMB operators) will be given additional marks in the selection exercise. This arrangement was introduced in 2002 to promote the conversion of RMB to GMB operation. To further encourage RMB operators to bid for new GMB routes, the percentage of additional marks given to new entrants has increased from 10% to 15% since 2004. This is to provide stronger incentive to RMB operators to bid for new GMB routes so as to pursue further the policy of converting RMB routes to GMB routes.

     To enhance the efficiency of PLB service, the government will continue to encourage the conversion of RMB operation to GMB operation.

Ends/Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:10

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