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The Government will engage the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) for discussion on the granting of a new franchise, a government spokesman said today (January 26). The new franchise will take effect immediately upon the expiry of the existing one.
The spokesman said that the KMB's current franchise would expire on July 1, 2017. The KMB has indicated an interest in applying for a new 10-year franchise. According to the Public Bus Services Ordinance (Cap. 230) (the Ordinance), the Executive Council may grant to a company a franchise conferring the right to operate a public bus service for a period not exceeding 10 years. The Ordinance also requires the grantee of a bus franchise to maintain a proper and efficient public bus service to the satisfaction of the Commissioner for Transport at all times during the franchise period.
"The KMB has been providing a proper and efficient bus service, and is willing to invest in further improvements. However, the operating environment of the bus industry in the foreseeable future will continue to be rather difficult owing to rising operating costs and keen competition from other public transport modes. The Government would strive for the most favourable franchise terms for the public as far as possible in a pragmatic manner," the spokesman said.
The Panel on Transport of the Legislative Council and the Transport Advisory Committee discussed the requirements of the new franchise for the bus network of KMB on January 15 and today. A document on the new franchise for the bus network of KMB can be downloaded from the websites of the Transport and Housing Bureau (www.thb.gov.hk) and the Transport Department (www.td.gov.hk). Members of the public may put forth their views on the requirements of the new franchise by post (addressed to Bus and Railway Branch, Transport Department, Room 2503, 25/F, AIA Tower, 183 Electric Road, North Point, Hong Kong), fax (3528 0564) or email (bus-franchise@td.gov.hk) on or before April 18, 2016. The Government will also invite views from members of the Traffic and Transport Committees of the District Councils.
Ends/Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:05
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