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A Government spokesman said today (July 18) that the Government plans to start negotiations with three franchised bus companies in the fourth quarter of this year for renewing their franchises to take effect immediately upon the expiry of their existing ones, in order to ensure the continuous provision of proper and efficient public bus services for the public.
The spokesman said that the current franchises of Long Win Bus Company Limited (LW) and Citybus Limited (Citybus) in respect of its franchise for the Airport and North Lantau bus network (Franchise 2) will expire on May 1, 2013. The current franchise of New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) will expire on July 1, 2013. The three franchised bus companies have indicated an interest to renew their franchises for another 10 years.
The main operating areas for NWFB are on Hong Kong Island while those for LW and Citybus (Franchise 2) are in North Lantau and the Airport.
"NWFB, LW and Citybus (Franchise 2) have been providing proper and efficient bus services, and have demonstrated their willingness to invest for further improvements," the spokesman said.
"In order to ensure continuous provision of essential public bus services for the public, the Administration plans to negotiate with the three franchised bus companies new 10-year franchises. The Administration will seek to update the terms and requirements so as to keep abreast of the times, and request the bus companies to enhance the level of services."
Starting from today and until September 30, the Government invites the public to offer views on the requirements of the new franchises of the three franchised bus companies. The Government also invites views from the Traffic and Transport Committees under the 18 District Councils.
The relevant paper on the franchises of the three franchised bus companies can be downloaded from the websites of the Transport and Housing Bureau (www.thb.gov.hk) and the Transport Department (www.td.gov.hk). The public may send in their views on the requirements of the new franchises of the three franchised bus companies by post (addressed to Bus and Railway Branch of Transport Department, 40/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong), fax (2802 2679) or email (franchise-renewal@td.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, July 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:07
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