LCQ15: Bus route rationalisation
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Question:
In response to the continuous expansion of the land transport network, franchised bus companies implement bus route rationalisation plans from time to time, including cancellation and amalgamation of routes. Some members of the public have complained to me that franchised bus companies disregard the needs of passengers and use bus route rationalisation as a means to maximise profits. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective number of routes cancelled or amalgamated by franchised bus companies (including The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, Citybus Limited, New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited and Long Win Bus Company Limited), the route numbers involved and the fares before and after route amalgamation in the past three years, with a breakdown in tabular form;
(2) of the respective number of routes planned to be amalgamated by the aforesaid four franchised bus companies and the route numbers involved in the coming year, as well as the comparisons of the estimated fares for those routes before and after amalgamation;
(3) given that, under the current mechanism, the Transport Department will consult the relevant District Councils on the proposals of the annual Route Planning Programmes (including route cancellations and amalgamations proposed by franchised bus companies), whether the authorities have stipulated that there should not be an excessive time lag (e.g. no more than one year) between the relevant consultations and the formal implementation of route cancellation or amalgamation plans, so as to ensure that such plans align with the current road conditions and the needs of residents; if not, the reasons for that; and
(4) given that, starting from April this year, the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme) changes from a flat rate of $2 per trip to "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount", whether the authorities have assessed if the profits of franchised bus companies will increase as a result of the currently proposed bus route cancellation or amalgamation plans following the implementation of "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount"; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President:
Franchised bus is a road-based transport mode with the highest carrying capacity and plays an important role in the public transport system. The Transport Department (TD) has been reviewing the service levels of franchised bus routes and passenger demand across various districts through an established mechanism. Having regard to local developments, demographic changes, the completion of transport facilities, the existing and planned public transport services in the districts concerned, etc, the TD will continue to enhance the existing bus service network, and to plan bus routes and adjust bus services for developing and new development areas as appropriate, so as to cater for passenger demands and enhance the efficiency of the overall public transport network. In response to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Hok-fung, the reply is as follows:
(1) Details of the amalgamation or cancellation of bus routes in the settled Route Planning Programmes (RPPs), including the number of routes, route numbers and fares, in the past three years are set out in Annex 1.
(2) Regarding the RPPs for the coming year, the TD is consulting relevant District Councils. The proposed amalgamation or cancellation of bus routes in the RPPs is set out in Annex 2.
(3) The TD monitors franchised bus services on a regular basis. While franchised bus operators (FBOs) assume main responsibility, the TD also reviews the operation of various routes and assesses the occupancy rate, patronage as well as frequency of services. Taking into account the impact on passengers and ensuring the availability of appropriate alternative services (including through existing or new bus-bus interchange schemes), the TD will implement corresponding measures, including frequency adjustment, bus route amalgamation or cancellation, etc, having regard to actual circumstances and the guidelines on the adjustment of franchised bus services. This helps optimise the use of bus resources and enhances the overall operational efficiency while enabling passengers to continue traveling to and from relevant destinations at comparable or lower fares.
Besides, the TD would formulate the annual RPPs based on feedback collected from districts in the past and discussions with FBOs. The TD consults relevant District Councils in the first quarter of each year and generally finalises the RPPs in the second quarter with feedback received. FBOs usually implement the adjustments to the relevant routes as soon as practicable within the year. The implementation time of some route adjustment plans may need to align with the commissioning dates of new large-scale infrastructure facilities and the intake dates of residential projects. Therefore, the actual implementation dates are subject to the progress of the completion of these projects.
(4) The revenue and operating costs of FBOs are influenced by various factors. For example, the recent increase in fuel prices will affect their profitability.
The fare concession under the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme) was adjusted to "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" starting from April 3, 2026. The Government will closely monitor the operation of various public transport services (including franchised buses) to meet the travel demand of the public after the adjustment of the $2 Scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:25
Issued at HKT 12:25
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