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The Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law, is satisfied with the normal operation of bus services on Hong Kong Island today (Tuesday ) and that the new bus franchisee is able to provide satisfactory services to the public.

She was also pleased that traffic had not been greatly affected by the first day of school and the weather.

She said, however, the Transport Department (TD) would continue its monitoring of bus services on Hong Kong Island, and would liaise closely with the New World First Bus (NWFB) to improve services to meet passengers' need.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mrs Law said that she was pleased to see the smooth changeover of bus franchise from China Motor Bus (CMB) to NWFB.

NWFB's operation of five overnight bus routes and the first departure of its scheduled services at 5.05 am has marked the beginning of its services to the public on Hong Kong Island.

In meeting passengers' demand, Citybus and NWFB have deployed 168 buses and 587 buses respectively to operate some 110 routes previously run by CMB.

Mrs Law pointed out that the number of buses deployed would be flexibly adjusted according to actual demand.

After reviewing the bus operation this morning, the department concluded that there was room for improvement despite that the departures of most routes were on time and most bus termini were in good order.

For instance, the first departure of route 780, a replacement of route 80, is scheduled at 6 am. However, owing to passenger demand to advance the first departure to 5.30 am, TD has immediately liaised with Citybus and decided to set the time for the first departure 30 minutes earlier from tomorrow (Wednesday) onwards.

As for passengers going to Causeway Bay and Wan Chai Ferry Pier, they may take route 8 which will first depart from Siu Sai Wan at 5.30 am.

The department has also held a meeting with NWFB and Citybus on the parking arrangement at Siu Sai Wan Bus Terminus to alleviate congestion in the area.

Mrs Law said: "Today is a new start. We hope the cooperation between the department and NWFB will be much closer in the future to provide better bus services to the public.

"I think we have a very energetic and totally committed management in charge of the new bus company and I find that the staff are very keen about this change. These should go well for the future of customer services on the part of this new company."

Mrs Law also pointed out that the department would continue to monitor the operation of bus services on Hong Kong Island to ensure members of the public could enjoy reasonable bus services.

"It is the department's job to oversee the operation of franchised bus services. Although the Operation Co-ordination Centre (OCC) set up to oversee the transition will eventually be scaled down, our staff in the regional offices will continue their monitoring role," she added.

The OCC has been set up from 5 pm yesterday to 9 pm today to monitor the transfer of operation and the commissioning of new franchise bus service. It is manned by staff of TD and representatives from the police, Citybus and NWFB.

The centre will also be activated tomorrow to monitor the bus services during the morning peak and to co-ordinate bus operation whenever necessary.

TD's hotline, 2829 5258, will extend its operating hours today and tomorrow, from 9 am to 9 pm, to serve the public.

End/Tuesday, September 1, 1998

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