​     Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 15):

Question:

     In recent years, the population in a number of new development areas (NDAs) in Hong Kong (such as So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun and Tuen Mun Area 54) has continued to grow rapidly. It is learnt that residents of these NDAs are eagerly anticipating improvements to their external ancillary transport services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the annual passenger trips of each franchised and non-franchised bus route plying to and from So Kwun Wat (including but not limited to Route No. 252 of The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited and Route No. K53 of MTR Corporation Limited) in the past five years, and set out the relevant information in tabular form;
 
(2) given the growing population in the vicinity of So Kwun Wat, whether the authorities have any plans to introduce bus routes primarily connecting So Kwun Wat to Tsuen Wan or other Kowloon districts; if so, of the details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) given that new public housing projects (including a large-scale Light Public Housing project) will be completed in Tuen Mun Area 54, whether the authorities have any plans to introduce brand new franchised bus routes connecting Tuen Mun Area 54 to various districts in Kowloon or Hong Kong, so as to cope with the transport demand arising from the additional population upon the completion of the new housing estates; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
        
Reply:

President,

     When planning public transport services, the Government comprehensively considers various factors, including regional development, population changes, traffic conditions, as well as the carrying capacity and services of different public transport modes. Taking account of residential developments and future population changes in Tuen Mun District, the Government will plan appropriate public transport ancillary services to meet the travelling needs of residents.
 
     In response to the question raised by the Member, the reply is as follows:
 
(1) The Transport Department (TD) conducts on-site surveys from time to time to monitor the operation of franchised bus and green minibus (GMB) services. According to the data recorded during on-site surveys conducted by the TD in June 2026, the overall service levels of bus and GMB routes serving So Kwun Wat are adequate to meet the passenger demand, whilst the average peak-hour occupancy rates (including special departures) recorded at bus stops or GMB stops in So Kwun Wat ranged from around 10 per cent to 65 per cent. The routes and their respective occupancy rates are set out in Annex.
 
(2) The TD has been continuously monitoring and reviewing the overall demand for transport services in So Kwun Wat. In response to the travelling needs of local residents, franchised bus operators (operators) have introduced special bus services to 10 existing bus routes during weekday peak hours, heading to North District, Tsuen Wan District, Kwun Tong District, Sham Shui Po District, Yau Tsim Mong District, Central and Western District, Wan Chai District, and Eastern District respectively. The TD also introduced Route No. 252S at the end of last year to provide direct bus services to and from Kowloon Bay Business Area during weekday peak hours. Residents of So Kwun Wat can also take Route No. 252 to and from the Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange (BBI) and interchange with around 40 franchised bus routes heading to various districts in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Fare concessions are offered by the Operators for interchanging passengers as well. In addition, MTR Bus Route Nos. K51A and K53 provide services between So Kwun Wat and MTR Tuen Mun Station, facilitating residents' interchange with the MTR.
 
(3) In response to the population growth in Tuen Mun Area 54, the TD has introduced 9 new bus routes since July 2022 connecting the area with various locations within and outside Tuen Mun District, and has subsequently enhanced the service level of those routes. Furthermore, in conjunction with the development of Area 54, the TD has directed 3 inter-district bus routes to add en-route stops within Area 54. Currently, the area is served by a total of 12 bus routes, which travel within the district and to North District, Islands District, Tsuen Wan District, Kwai Tsing District, Kwun Tong District, Wong Tai Sin District, Sham Shui Po District, Yau Tsim Mong District, Central and Western District, Wan Chai District, and Eastern District, comprehensively catering to the travelling needs of local as well as Light Public Housing (LPH) residents. Additionally, residents in Tuen Mun Area 54 can take bus to the BBI and interchange with around 40 franchised bus routes heading to various districts across Hong Kong. The settled Bus Route Planning Programme (RPP) 2026-27 of Tuen Mun District includes amalgamating Route Nos. 67A and 67M, as well as enhancing the bus routing and extending it to Po Tin bus terminus, offering residents in Area 54 a more frequent service, and facilitating their commute to and from the BBI and other districts, offering residents in Area 54 a more frequent service, and facilitating their commute to and from the BBI and other districts. Moreover, the TD anticipates GMB Route No. 40A (Tsz Lun Road to Tuen Mun Town Centre) to be put into service in Q3 2026, facilitating the travelling needs of LPH residents.
 
     The TD will continue to monitor the development and population changes in Tuen Mun Area 54, and discuss with operators on service adjustment and improvement as appropriate so as to meet the public transport demand arising from the growing population.

Ends/Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:00

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