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A Government spokesman said today (September 19) that members of the public were reminded to submit their views and comments on the requirements of the three new bus franchises by September 30 this year.
The Government has invited the public to offer views on the issue between July 18 and September 30. 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 current franchises of New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB), 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 in 2013. 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. The three franchised bus companies have indicated an interest to renew their franchises for another 10 years.
The spokesman said that NWFB, LW and Citybus (Franchise 2) had been providing proper and efficient bus services, and demonstrated their willingness to invest for further improvements.
"The Government plans to start negotiations with three franchised bus companies in the fourth quarter of this year for renewing their franchises for another 10 years 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. We 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."
The public may send in their views on the requirements of the new franchises of the three franchised bus companies to the Transport Department 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 e-mail (franchise-renewal@td.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, September 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:01
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