At midnight on 1 September 1998, China Motor Bus Company Limited (中華巴士有限公司/中華巴士/中巴) ended its 65-year public bus service franchise and New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB, 新世界第一巴士有限公司/新巴/新一巴), established by Hong Kong New World Development in partnership with the British FirstGroup plc, took over the operation of its 88 bus routes[1].
This is the first time in Hong Kong's history that a franchised bus company has changed hands. At that time, CMB had been providing bus services for over 60 years, and the new bus company taking over its operations on 1 September, the opening day of the new school year of all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, thus generating extensive media coverage and making a record.
Background[]
From 1933 to September 1991, China Motor Bus was the only bus company operating franchised bus services on Hong Kong Island. After the opening of the MTR Island Line in 1985, the management of CMB was still not interested in improving its services in the face of fierce competition from this new mode of transport, resulting in the loss of a large number of passengers.
In the face of all this, and the fact that CMB's strike in 1989 brought external transport services to a standstill in the Southern District for two days, the Government decided to revamp its bus services on Hong Kong Island, starting with CMB's cancelled Route 12A as a pilot scheme and introducing Citybus as a new operator in an attempt to improve CMB's services through competition. In 1992, the Government put 28 CMB routes up for open tender and Citybus, with its previous experience in providing residents' bus services on Hong Kong Island, won the franchise and took over the group of routes on 1 September 1993; furthermore in 1995 the Government directly cut 14 of the CMB routes to Citybus.
After the CMB routes were cut twice, there was no sign of improvement in service standards, the fleet was still old, the proportion of air-conditioned buses was still low, and there were a number of serious service failures:
- On 8 September 1995 (14 August in the lunar calendar), the last two buses of Route 15 departed from the Peak that night (the last bus was at 23:45) and disappeared for no apparent reason, leaving nearly 200 to 400 moon watchers stranded on The Peak after midnight. In the end, the Governor in Council imposed the first penalty under the Public Bus Services Ordinance and fined CMB HK$8,000.[2][3][4]
- Between March and June 1997, CMB cancelled four loss-making routes 3, 41, 45 and 47 on its own, allowing Citybus to operate the same or similar routes 3B, 41A, 40P and 47A immediately in their place.
- In 1994, the MTR introduced the Octopus electronic ticketing system to replace the General Stored-Value Ticket (GSV), and joined hands with KCRC, KMB, Citybus and Hong Kong Ferry to set up the Creative Star Ltd (聯俊達有限公司, renamed as Octopus Cards Limited (「八達通卡有限公司」 in 2002)), but only CMB refused to participate and even stated that they would not introduce Octopus payment system on its routes.[5]
Process[]
In 1996, CMB staff protested against the management's pension calculation formula and threatened to go on strike. At a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on 9 October, Mr Lee Wing-tat (李永達) expressed concern about whether CMB would go on strike for the second time in six years and queried why the franchise would be renewed in spite of the Administration's poor attitude. On whether Members' suggestion would be an indicator for future franchise renewal and further route reduction, then Secretary for Transport Gordon Siu (蕭炯柱) and Commissioner for Transport Yam Kwan Pui-ying (任關佩英) said that as CMB's franchise, which was renewed in 1995, would not expire until 1998, it was premature to raise the issue of renewal conditions at that time. In addition, Mr Siu went on to say that the Administration had done its best to ensure that CMB could make improvements in the remaining days of the franchise.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Lee Wing-tat was later quoted as saying that CMB had gone on strike in 1989 and that a labour dispute was again brewing at that time, arguing that it was not worthwhile to consider renewing the franchise of a public transport company with a poor record.[13]
Failure to apply for franchise renewal laid the groundwork for the CMB route to be put out to tender[]
In May 1997, the Government started to discuss with CMB the renewal of its franchise as it was about to expire. However, the Administration considered that the age of CMB's fleet was too high and the small number of air-conditioned buses did not meet passenger demand, so consideration was given to cutting routes with a view to allowing CMB to concentrate its resources on improving the quality of service.[14][15]
When CMB's three-year franchise would expire on 31 August 1998, government officials advised the Legislative Council Panel at its meeting on 13 June 1997 that the Government would deal with the franchise in the best interests of the passengers and in accordance with the provisions of the law; and that CMB's franchise could be renewed under section 6(3) of the Public Bus Services Ordinance, Cap. 230, provided that the Executive Council was satisfied with its performance.
| The Government's views at meetings of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport |
|---|
|
The Acting Commissioner for Transport, Mr Chan Yuen Tak-wai, said that although CMB, which operated 123 routes at that time, had proposed to set up a new company to focus on the provision of franchised bus services, the Administration had not been given full details; it was not possible for CMB to continue its original franchise at that time, and if a new company was to be set up, instead, it would have to negotiate a new franchise with the Administration and grant a new franchise to the new company instead of continuing the original franchise, and the Government could make a decision within a few weeks.[16][17]However, some Members suggested that the Government should closely monitor the operation of CMB and that more routes operated by CMB should be put up for open tender in due course for bidding by other bus companies, believing that the public would benefit from this[16]; Alternatively, the CMB routes could be bidded separately by other bus companies, which would reduce the size of the companies and enable them to start service earlier.[18] Also, in the 1998-2002 Bus Route Development Programme, two new routes and 20 service improvement projects are proposed to meet the growth in demand from new residential developments in the Eastern District and Southern District on Hong Kong Island, and 250 new buses are proposed to be purchased in the next five years[19], but CMB did not apply for renewal of the franchise under section 6(2) of the Ordinance. In the meantime, despite the restrictions on the allocation of bus stops, depots and bus termini, the Government will explore the possibility of introducing further healthy competition for public bus services on Hong Kong Island by opening up existing routes to open tender, taking into account the interests of passengers and the approximately 2,500 staff of CMB.[20][21] The Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, said that as CMB had not applied for franchise renewal within the specified period, there were a number of ways to resolve the matter, one of which was to award the franchise by open tender. A comprehensive review of CMB's performance in the past two years was then conducted and assessed against a number of indicators, including the number of buses available for use, age and number of incidents[22], number of lost trips, number of complaints, depot and maintenance facilities[23][24][25], future development plans[23], service improvements and impact on passengers[17], in order to compare with other franchised bus companies and to finalise a new decision[17]; and Public and District Council views will also be taken into account. Once this review is completed, the Government will decide in principle by August 1997 whether to recommend to the Executive Council (renamed Executive Council from July) the continuation of CMB's franchise or to put its routes out to open tender for the provision of franchised bus services to Hong Kong Island residents in the 21st century.[23] Mr Siu went on to say that since CMB had voluntarily given up its application for franchise renewal, the Government had examined how to provide more freedom for bus services on Hong Kong Island in the 21st century forward-looking exercise[26]; and had even taken the opportunity to reconsider whether there was a better way forward, including opening up CMB's network of franchised routes for open tender by inviting all bus companies (including foreign investors and companies outside Hong Kong) interested in operating bus services worldwide. [17][24][27][28][29]， and the Administration will also adopt the principle of fairness in determining the successful bidder[25]; he also said that in considering the issue of bus franchises on Hong Kong Island, a longer-term objective would be adopted and if routes were to be put up for open tender in the future, global tenders would be invited and CMB itself would be allowed to participate in the tender if it was interested and qualified to show its ambition for bus development in the next century and to give a fair chance and a fair view. [30][22][23][28][26]Mr Siu also said that if the franchise is granted, the authorities can strengthen the supervision of CMB[25]; and that any public service company has the responsibility to perform its duties and services, and if the company has an irresponsible attitude, the authorities can immediately arrange other bus companies to replace it.[23] Subsequently, some district councils were concerned that if the CMB franchise was not renewed, all bus routes on Hong Kong Island would fall into the hands of Citybus, thus making bus services in the district uncompetitive. [26] Meanwhile, two Legislative Councillors expressed their views on the possibility of the Government terminating CMB's franchise and putting it out to tender, including:
Some Legislative Councillors were concerned that with only 15 months before the expiry of CMB's franchise in August 1998, there would be sufficient time for the new company to prepare for the operation of bus services, including the ordering of buses, construction of depots and recruitment of staff. [22][24] In response, S for T assured members that the issue of franchise would not affect bus services on Hong Kong Island. C for T(Atg.) said that according to experience, the tendering process would take three to four months. The new company would need another nine months to make preparations. Following the amendment of the Public Bus Services Ordinance in 1995, the Administration could temporarily take over the assets and equipment owned by a company whose franchise had been revoked or had expired. The company's properties, including depots and buses, may then be leased to the new operator for a period not exceeding three years; the company may not sell the properties during this period[24]. The site where the existing depot is located should only be developed upon surrender by the Administration. This arrangement would ensure that public bus services would not be disrupted. Commissioner for Transport (Atg) noted a Member's view that the new company should give priority to CMB staff in the appointment of staff, and Mr Gordon SIU stressed that the Administration was also requested to consider giving priority to the new franchised bus company in the appointment of such staff.[25] |
CMB subsequently issued a statement refuting media reports that it had not applied for and chosen not to renew its franchise. [28] The statement continued that the Government was certainly aware of CMB's intention to continue to operate its bus services as it had discussed with the Government on several occasions in the past about the restructuring of the group and the continuation of bus services, including the establishment of a new company specialising in bus operations, and that it was not a deliberate decision not to apply for franchise renewal; and that the company had not taken the initiative to apply for franchise renewal when its franchise expired in the past few years. It was generally left to the Government to negotiate frankly with them and to reach a successful agreement on a new franchise. [27][27] CMB further emphasises that the renewal of franchise or acquisition of a new franchise can come from a number of different sources under the Ordinance. CMB will continue to make every effort to improve its services within the franchise, and has already achieved significant results at that time.[32]
Subsequently, two franchised bus companies have expressed interest in replacing the routes operated by CMB, including:
| Views of the two franchised bus companies on the replacement of CMB operations |
|---|
|
Government deploys bus routes for competitive bidding[]
The Transport Department subsequently considered the CMB routes for competitive bidding in accordance with legal provisions.
| Content of Transport Department considering bidding for the CMB route |
|---|
|
Deputy Secretary for Transport (Transport Services) Mr Chow Yiu-nam subsequently said on 16 June that after the Government announced at the Legislative Council Panel meeting on 13 June that CMB had voluntarily given up its application for franchise renewal, CMB had notified the Transport Department by fax that evening of its intention to continue to provide bus services, and that CMB had indicated its interest in the renewal of its franchise during discussions with the Government on the restructuring of the company in the past few months. The letter also stated that CMB had indicated its interest in renewing its franchise when discussing the restructuring of the company with the Government in the past months. The letter also stated that CMB had indicated its interest in renewing its franchise when discussing the restructuring of the company with the Government in the past few months. However, Chow pointed out that discussions with CMB on the restructuring of the company and a formal application for renewal of the franchise were two different things, and that CMB had not yet received a proposal to operate its bus routes as a subsidiary. Chow said that CMB's voluntary abandonment of its application had left the government with various options to consider, including opening up 123 of CMB's routes to open tender or having the Executive Council grant the franchise for a maximum of two years if it was satisfied that CMB's service quality was better, and that he would not rule out the possibility of a punitive clause in the extension, although it was still too early to say and refused to disclose details of the relevant measures.[33][34][35]The Transport Department has since started to study the practice and will submit it to the Executive Council for discussion in two to three months' time.[36] CMB subsequently issued a further statement in response to the comments of Transport Department officials, repeatedly denying that it had no intention of renewing the franchise and expressing grave dismay at the Government's move, saying that it had discussed with the Government over the past few months and had submitted a draft restructuring proposal to the Secretary for Transport with a view to achieving the restructuring plan agreed to by the authorities when CMB accepted the new franchise in 1995. The Secretary for Transport had written to CMB stating that the Governor in Council had agreed in principle to the plan, with the aim that once CMB's existing franchise had expired, the restructured company could continue to operate. [33] The spokesman said that CMB had made improvements in its operations, lost trip rate and mechanical reliability over the past two years. He added that it was unfair for the government to grant CMB two franchises of less than three years, and that it was impossible for a company to engage in long-term expansion plans and invest heavily when it had to operate in a limited environment and the franchise granted by the government could only last two to three years.[35] The then Chairman of KMB, Mr John Chan, later said he was interested in bidding for all bus routes (including CMB routes), saying he was confident that with over 60 years of experience in providing bus services, he could expand services within a short period of time; and that the more hasty the re-bidding, the better for KMB. [33][34][36] Chow Yiu Nam said that once the Government decided to open up the bidding for CMB routes, it would be awarded depending on the operational and financial capability of the participating companies.[33] In an interview with Sing Tao Daily at a cocktail reception in July 8, Secretary for Transport Gordon Siu confirmed that the government had received CMB's application for franchise renewal, but stressed that the authorities were only at the preliminary stage of consideration and no final decision had been made yet; Siu went on to say that he did not rule out the feasibility of opening up the franchise fully, and believed that no final decision would be made in the near future.[37] |
On 19 June, the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Central and Western District Council passed a motion requesting the Government not to renew the CMB franchise.
| Statement of the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Central and Western District Council[38] |
|---|
|
When the Committee discussed whether the Government should approve the extension of CMB's franchise when it expired in August 1998, all Members present were dissatisfied with CMB's performance and considered that penalties should be imposed, but they were divided on whether to put CMB routes out for tender in one go. One of them, Mr Hung Wing-tat, said that CMB's bus services had improved slightly in the past year and that with the reduction of bus routes, the age of the buses used was less than before, so the Administration should treat the matter with compassion and justice by further reducing its routes in the renewal of the franchise to give an opportunity for improvement. The franchise was given to CMB. However, other councillors still insisted that CMB's service had been poor for many years and that the slow progress in improving the bus stop shelters alone reflected CMB's limited sincerity in making radical improvements. Therefore, it is considered acceptable in principle that a short period of traffic disruption can bring about a better service. Finally, the Committee passed a motion requesting the Government not to renew CMB's franchise "in view of its failure to improve the quality of bus services over the years". |
In August 1997, the Democratic Party conducted a questionnaire survey at bus stops and successfully interviewed over 500 passengers. The results showed that more than half of them did not support the renewal of CMB's franchise because the fleet of the major CMB routes was too old, the frequency was not on time and the attitude of the drivers was poor. In addition, Citybus has taken over some CMB routes in the past and has benefited from open competition to improve bus services on Hong Kong Island; therefore, if CMB does not want to operate, it should not be forced to do so and the Government should withdraw its franchise for open bidding.[39]
The then Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law, said in a radio programme on 1 November 1997 that one of the means of forcing CMB to improve its services was to cut its routes; however, while stressing that there should be no comparison between franchise renewal and route cuts, she also said that anything could happen during the negotiations (Cantonese for "anything can happen").[40][41]
Staff disputes indirectly affecting franchise continuity[]
Following the settlement of the CMB depot staff dispute on 13 November 1997, government sources were quoted in the press as saying that the authorities could not adopt a "target-oriented" strategy in this case, and that they had instead adopted a hard-line approach to negotiation with CMB and were inclined to put its routes up for open tender upon the expiry of the franchise in August 1998[42]; the then Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, Mr Cheng Hon-kwan, said it was still too early to say whether there would be further cuts to CMB routes, adding that the move would mainly be based on the performance of CMB.[43]Subsequently, CMB staff also had reservations about whether they could "walk away" from the extension of the franchise.[44]
In addition, there were meetings of District Councils, Members and political parties on the renewal of the CMB franchise, including:
| Views expressed by District Councils, District Councillors and political parties | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
At the subsequent meeting of the Provisional Legislative Council Panel on Transport on 14 November 1997, some Members requested the Government not to renew the CMB franchise in relation to labour disputes, including:
| Opinions expressed by Members of the Provisional Legislative Council |
|---|
|
In response, S for T Mr Nicholas Ng Wing-fui said that the Government was also very concerned about the incident as it might have impact on passengers who would not be able to receive an efficient and reliable bus service. It was not easy to provide an efficient and satisfactory service to replace CMB as its staff would inevitably cause some inconvenience to passengers given its daily capacity of about 500,000 passengers.[58][54][57]
As the Government was negotiating with CMB on the renewal of its franchise, the renewal would take into account CMB's service performance, the underlying public sentiment and level of demand for improvement, labour relations, the determination of the established management of CMB to improve its services and the interests of its staff, in order to consider whether to renew its franchise and modify the conditions of renewal[54][55][56]; and that whether to continue the franchise until alternative arrangements are made or to further reduce the CMB route will also be taken into consideration. [51] Ng said he would not comment on the Government's decision to extend CMB's franchise on condition that its routes were cut, and that the Administration would not rule out the possibility of considering any options, including extending its franchise to alternative arrangements and finding another bus company to take over the CMB services[54]. The reason was to safeguard the overall interest of the public, so each option was examined before a decision was made to ensure the public interest[52][55][56]; at the same time, if there was no original operator, there would naturally be a new operator. The authorities have to consider the interests of all parties equally. [54] Ng also said that if the arrangement was made to sound like a big deal, the public would end up without buses and Members would definitely come after them, so the public interest must come first. [51]
In addition, early in the week when the CMB labour dispute was not widely reported, Ng met informally with some of the Legislative Council Transport Panel and took the initiative to mention the renewal of the CMB franchise to the members present; they all unanimously requested that the franchise should not be renewed after its expiry in August 1998. [55]
In a column named "Business Mind" (商心國是), Hong Kong Economic Journal reporter Zhang Li said that "the government should consider introducing competition, re-evaluating public transport franchises and improving the city's services for the next century" (「政府應該考慮的事為引入競爭，重新考核公共交通專利，改善城市的服務，迎接下一世紀。」).[59]
When the CMB service was discussed at the Southern Provisional District Board meeting on 17 November, a number of District Council members criticised CMB for its poor operation and suggested that the Transport Department (TD) should no longer grant it a franchise. Subsequently, TD said that the Transport Bureau and its Task Force had discussed and studied the issue of the expiry of CMB's franchise in August 1998 and had not yet decided whether it would make a fair decision, but stressed that it would take into account the situation of the past bus companies and their determination to improve their services.[60]
| Views expressed by 2 Southern District Council members |
|---|
|
Subsequently, some political parties suggested that the Government should abolish the CMB franchise and put its routes up for open tender, but at the same time, the participation of KMB and Citybus should be restricted to ensure that the bus services on Hong Kong Island would remain under the operation of two bus companies so as to maintain competition; and that priority should be given to employing CMB staff so as to avoid the unemployment problem.[62]
CMB was refused franchise extension[]
The Transport Bureau considered three options when examining the issue of the CMB franchise, which include:
- Revocation of the franchise;
- Unconditional extension of the franchise for five years;
- Franchise extension with cancellation of 21 bus routes.
As CMB's franchise was about to expire at that time, the Administration would report the above proposals to the Executive Council; if the option of resumption of CMB's franchise was accepted, it would be necessary to invite open tenders for its services before August.[63]
At the same time, the Western Branch of the Democratic Party interviewed more than 500 members of the public on the performance of CMB at bus stops in the Central and Western District in August and November 1997, one week after the strike was called off respectively, and the results showed that 60.5% and 57.5% of the respondents disagreed with the continuation of CMB's operation, whereas 19.9% and 20.2% of the respondents were in favour of it; and 82.7% of the respondents thought that bus routes on Hong Kong Island should be operated by two or more bus companies. On the other hand, 82.7% of the respondents considered that bus routes on Hong Kong Island should be operated by two or more bus companies, whereas only 13.5% thought that they should be operated by one company. Besides, the average rating given by the respondents to CMB services was only 4.4 marks, and 43 of them even gave a zero mark. Therefore, the Democratic Party submitted an opinion poll to Members of the Executive Council in the morning of 17 February 1998, urging them to approve the abolition of CMB's franchise and suggesting that its bus routes should be open for bidding by other bus companies, provided that the participation of Citybus and Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) should be restricted to maintain genuine competition.[64]
After a comprehensive review of the standard of service provided by CMB, the Government had to impose the heaviest penalty ever on a franchised bus company on the grounds that it was "not confident that CMB would be able to provide a service of the standard required by the public in the future"[65][66], and a "motion of non-renewal of CMB's franchise" was passed by the Executive Council on 17 February 1998.[67]
At a press conference in the evening of 17 February 1998, the then Secretary for Transport, Mr Nicholas Ng, announced the Executive Council's decision not to renew CMB's franchise, stating that CMB had applied for renewal of the franchise after the deadline in June 1997. The government began negotiations with CMB in November 1997, but announced three months later that the talks had broken down. He revealed that there were four main areas of disagreement between the two sides in the negotiations:
- Fleet renewal programme: The government demanded that if CMB was granted a new franchise, it should replace 400 (or 35%) of its fleet of buses aged 18 years or above and put them into service within the first three years, so as to improve the serious ageing problem of its fleet. CMB initially refused, but only after receiving an ultimatum from the Government did it promise to invest $1 billion in new buses within this period, but only with a loan, not with shareholders' funds, and with interest to be borne by passengers, which the Government did not agree to;[67][68][69][70]
- The Government proposed to rationalise the CMB route network: at that time, CMB mainly served routes in the Eastern District, while Citybus mainly served routes in the Southern District. In order to promote competition between the two bus companies, improve service quality and efficiency, and improve bus services on Hong Kong Island, it was proposed to restructure routes on Hong Kong Island by merging some of the long-deficient and overlapping bus routes, reducing them from 125 to 88, and at the same time introducing Citybus operations in the Eastern District, which CMB opposed;[67][68][69][71][71]
- The Government requested CMB to implement a series of measures, including the appointment of consultants to study improvements to staff and internal company management structures, with a degree of government involvement and supervision, which CMB did not agree to;[67][68][72]
- CMB has also refused the Government's request to improve customer service quality and public relations, including improving bus service indicators and introducing the Octopus system. [67][72]
Nicholas Ng said that as CMB's franchise would expire at the end of August of the same year, the Government could not negotiate with CMB indefinitely and reported to the Executive Council on the outcome of the negotiations between the two sides, recommending that, on the premise of public interest, CMB should not be granted a new franchise or an extension of the existing one, and that 88 of the 112 regular franchised bus routes should be immediately selected for operation by a single network through open tender and to be taken over by another operator upon the expiry of CMB's franchise, so as to continue to provide bus services for the 400,000 daily passengers on Hong Kong Island.[73][74][75][76][77]The main purpose was to improve network efficiency, and it is further considered that it could be used as a combination.[78]
Ng emphasised that the non-renewal of CMB's franchise was to promote competition and to improve the quality of bus services on Hong Kong Island.[79] He went on to say that the Executive Council had given careful consideration in deciding to put the routes out to open tender and had examined in detail CMB's submission, the public's aspirations for service improvement, the suitability of introducing healthy competition to Hong Kong Island's bus services, other considerations of public interest, and the Government's proposal before accepting TB's proposal; and that awarding a new franchise by open tender for a bus network with 88 routes would be the best way to select a suitable bus operator in the public interest based on the principles of maintaining its At the same time, it was considered that the award of new franchises for the 88 bus routes through open tender was in the best interest of the public to maintain the services of the franchised bus network, to maintain healthy competition and to improve the quality of the services, so as to select the suitable operators. The Government also denied that it was too hasty to launch the tender contracts with only half a year to go, and that it was confident that there would be sufficient capacity and time to enable the new operators to smoothly transition their bus services to 1 September.[69][71][74][75][78]
As the Government had granted a five-year franchise for CMB's original 88 bus routes in the form of a single network, if Citybus and KMB were successful in bidding for and taking over all their routes, the monopoly of bus services on Hong Kong Island would be restored to CMB's single company operation. He said that CMB, Citybus and KMB in fact still had the right to bid for the group of franchises, and although the Government would consider introducing competition in the assessment, the former would be able to maintain its business as long as it offered better terms than the other bidders, provided that it could provide quality service and had sufficient resources to take over the bus services on the Hong Kong Island, while the successful bidders would not be ruled out from bidding for the group of routes and becoming the sole bus company on the Hong Kong Island.[79][72][75][80] However, in the event of unsuccessful or uncontested bids, the service will continue until the end of the franchise, when it will be replaced by another operator.[72]
On the possible impact on CMB's frontline staff, Ng also assured that to cater for the rehousing needs of successful tenderers who were not CMB staff, the Government would specify in the tender document that new successful tenderers would be given priority in employment and would be required to submit proposals to facilitate a smooth transition to safeguard the interests of the successful tenderers; and staff who did not wish to pursue a career in the bus industry would be referred to the Labour Department and the Employees Retraining Board for support. All tenderers were required to propose an alternative measure to ensure a smooth transition. In addition, Ng said that at that time, there were more vacancies for bus drivers and maintenance staff in the industry, while other bus companies and even new companies needed a lot of manpower. In view of the relevant circumstances, it was believed that CMB's frontline and maintenance staff could all be taken on, and that the Labour Department would also provide counselling and assistance to them.[79][74][80][81]
The Motor Transport Workers General Union, the largest trade union of CMB, subsequently met with the Deputy Commissioner for Transport, Mr Chan Yuen-tak-wai, and the Assistant Commissioner for Labour, Mr Tsang Kin-wo, to express the issue of the future of CMB's staff and expressed the hope that new operators bidding for CMB's routes in the future would be obliged to employ all of the 2,000 staff, and undertook to continue to work in their respective posts in order to serve the public. They also promised to continue to work in their respective positions to serve the public. Citing the response of Chan Yuen Tak-wai, the spokesman of the Labour Union, Mr Tong Chiu-yin said that the Administration would do its best to protect the livelihood of the staff through negotiation and was confident that the target of employing all of them would be achieved. Tong added that there were about 2,350 affected staff, of which 1,170 were bus captains, 800 were garage staff, and the rest were regulators, handymen and clerks; 70 per cent of them had served the company for more than 10 years.[82][83]
Both Nicholas Ng and Fanny Law said that if the new franchise, which came into effect on 1 September, would be taken over by an operator other than CMB and has to take over the 88 former CMB routes, the Government would provide as much assistance as possible so that bus services on Hong Kong Island can be maintained and improved; if necessary, it will provide it with a site from time to time for the construction of a depot, or, at the request of the new operator, it may exercise the powers conferred on it under the PBSO to take temporary possession of assets such as fleet and depot and related facilities for use by the new operator upon expiry of the CMB franchise at market value. If necessary, the new operator will be provided with a site for the construction of a depot or, at the request of the new operator, would exercise the power under the Public Bus Services Ordinance to temporarily take over the assets of CMB, such as its fleet of buses, the depot and related facilities, at market value upon the expiry of its franchise for use by CMB so as to facilitate the commencement of its services in a short period of time, and will be given reasonable compensation in accordance with law. Neither of them had responded positively to the amount of compensation, saying only that it would depend on the needs of the new operator.[79][72][78][75][80] As to which and how many assets the government would take over, Mrs Fanny Law said it would depend on the needs of the new operator[84].
Although the Chai Wan Depot was acquired by CMB's shareholders at market value through their own investment and was a self-owned property, under the amended Ordinance, the Government may exercise its power to lease the land for a period of two years when it ceased to carry on a bus business and to require that the Depot be leased to a new operator in order to provide sufficient resources for the operation of the Hong Kong Island bus service, and to renew the lease for one year for a further period of three years where necessary.[79][78][85] The Heung Yip Road Depot, which was under private lease, was specified to CMB for the operation of its bus business, so the Government may recover the site from CMB at market value plus compensation for the remaining term of the lease and grant it to the new operator. The Wen Wei Po quoted a government source as saying that it was not willing to disclose the amount of compensation because the Government would not be required to compensate CMB if it failed to provide a proper and efficient service before the expiry of its franchise in August, and that the three pieces of land (i.e. the Heung Yip Road site, the Eastern District site and the Siu Sai Wan site) which had been granted by short-term tenancy to CMB to park its fleet of buses at night were free to be resumed for use by a new operator, and that no compensation would be required either.[79][85]
The Hong Kong Economic Times quoted a government source as saying that the Government hoped to part with CMB peacefully so that the new operator which had been awarded the franchise could continue to provide services smoothly, and that if its services deteriorated before the expiry of the franchise and it failed to maintain proper and efficient services, the Chief Executive in Council had the absolute power to cancel the franchise immediately under section 24 of the Public Bus Services Ordinance and take over the assets; or the new operator could commence services earlier and provide parallel services with CMB if necessary to avoid a window of uncertainty. The Chief Executive in Council has the absolute power under section 24 of the Public Bus Services Ordinance to immediately revoke the franchise and take possession of the assets; or the new operator may commence service earlier and, if necessary, provide parallel services with CMB to avoid a window of uncertainty.[86][75]
Mrs Fanny Law said that in order to ensure that the public could get the best bus services, the tenderers would be assessed on the basis of their commitment to investment and quality of service, how to ensure a smooth transition, and they would also be required to make recommendations on the level of service, quality of service and fares, and that the Administration would close the tenders on 31 March and submit its proposals to the Executive Council in early April, so that the successful tenderers would have four months to prepare for their proposals and would be granted franchises of up to five years, with a total of 88 routes. She said that about 600 buses would be required to serve these routes, but as 35% of CMB's 820-odd buses were over 18 years old, the Government required that the new operator's buses should not be over 18 years old.[75][80] On the difficulty of competition if the franchise was awarded to Citybus, Law said that the introduction of competition was only one of the considerations; if the rest of the bid was clearly better, it could still be accepted.[78]
In addition, according to a government source quoted in the press, the Government had considered the possibility of CMB filing a judicial review against the cancellation of the franchise, but was confident that it would win the case, stressing that the Executive Council had the power not to renew its franchise after its expiry, and therefore there was no chance of an appeal.[80]
Meanwhile, the Express also quoted Nicholas Ng as saying that the Government's decision was absolutely fair, and that CMB had been allowed to put forward its views all along and was unable to provide a plan for the purchase of buses, and that he believed that the Government had reasons to justify CMB's decision to seek a judicial review, and that CMB had adopted a delaying tactic in negotiating the franchise at that time, and did not believe that it would suddenly make trouble as it could take back the franchise immediately, and the new bidders would need to recognise that they might be able to bring in services earlier.[76]
Government sources were subsequently quoted in the press as explaining the reasons for not claiming renewal of the CMB franchise.
| Government source explains reasons for not renewing CMB's franchise |
|---|
|
Government sources said that under the clear directive of the Executive Council on or about 11 October 1997, the Government, when negotiating the franchise with CMB, gave two instructions on the premise that bus services must be provided, and that the services must be better than at that time, and that there must be no inconsistency in the improvement measures.[87]The Government has held a number of negotiations with CMB three months later, and although it has made concessions and put forward a number of proposals to improve its services during the process, they are not consistent, unstable and inconspicuous, and they have failed to demonstrate its heart and sincerity after all.[79] He claimed that the decision not to renew CMB's franchise was made in accordance with the trend of public opinion, and said that the four District Councils on Hong Kong Island had agreed to reduce CMB's routes over the past six months, and that there were still divergent views after four rounds of negotiation with CMB, for example, there was a lack of progress in the use of the Octopus fare collection system and a reluctance to draw up a specific timetable, and there was no commitment to or target for the introduction of low-floor buses; and that in the elimination of 24 bus routes, the Government focused on how to make effective use of resources, while CMB wanted to operate profitable routes and requested to retain three routes. Among the 24 bus routes to be removed, the Government focuses on how to make effective use of resources, whereas CMB only wants to operate routes that are profitable and requests to retain three routes. As for the phasing out of 300 buses which are over 18 years old, the Government has repeatedly resorted to delaying tactics. The Government requested that 150 buses be replaced in the first year, but CMB refused to do so, and it only invested $1 billion in the project under constant pressure, but it did not draw up a detailed replacement programme. At the same time, it is also unwilling to allow the Government to have greater participation in management in the form of consultancy, making it difficult for the authorities to believe in its determination to improve bus services, and the source even described the response as cursory.[72][74][87][75] The source also pointed out that the service life of buses in Japan was only 10 years, 12 years in Singapore and 16 years in the United Kingdom, but CMB had more than 300 buses over 18 years of age. [87] In fact, Mr Ng Wing-fui also pointed out at the press conference that CMB's fleet was too old, with about 35% of its buses being over 18 years old. However, according to the authorities, none of the buses operated by KMB and Citybus at that time was 18 years old, and although Citybus had more than 10 buses that were over 18 years old, they were all used for training of drivers. Although Citybus has more than 10 buses over 18 years old, these vehicles are used for driver training.[72] Regarding the public's concern about how the Government would ensure the quality of CMB services, the source stressed that a set of contingency measures had already been put in place, including the introduction of some balanced routes and early withdrawal of franchises at any time, and that the tenders of the new franchises had also stipulated that the operators could commence operation earlier; and that as to whether there were any other bus companies in the market which would be willing to take over the operation of CMB routes, the source disclosed that within six months, the Administration had already received letters from four to five companies (including the two existing bus companies and the trade) stating that some people were willing to bid for the operation of Hong Kong Island bus services, and therefore the assessment of market response was positive. As regards whether there are other bus companies in the market willing to take over the operation of CMB routes, the Administration has revealed that it has received letters from four to five companies (including the two existing bus companies and their counterparts) in the past six months stating that there are people who are willing to submit tenders for the operation of bus services on Hong Kong Island. In addition, according to the press, the Executive Council has quoted a source as saying that before the Government decided not to renew CMB's franchise, it had also ascertained the intentions of other bus companies to ascertain their willingness to take over the operation of the routes, and so it was confident that it would be able to take over the operation of the bus services on Hong Kong Island in August; the source went on to say that the authorities had repeatedly given CMB a chance of rectification but its services were deteriorating, and that even if the franchise was renewed, it would still be doubtful as to whether it would be able to improve its services; The source further said that the Government and the Executive Council had considered the matter many times before terminating the franchise and considered that termination of the franchise was the best course of action, coupled with the fact that the franchise was about to expire at that time, the Government decided not to renew the franchise. [72][74][79] It was also emphasised that if they were to be entangled in the matter, it would be preferable to put the entire network out to the market for tendering, in which CMB would be able to participate, and that the Government would only be setting the criteria based on the negotiation with the government, and leaving it to the market to make a decision if they felt that a better deal could be done. If the market thought that it could do a better job, it would be left to make a decision. At that time, Citybus had 74 routes, and together with the 12 routes taken over from CMB, the total number of routes would reach 86, which basically meant that the Government hoped to have two networks, and the introduction of competition was also included in the four key points of the tender document. However, it could not be ruled out that Citybus would score the highest among the other three points, and this was because we still had to take into account the overall conditions.[87] It was further said that the main consideration of this decision was the transfer arrangement for the 3200 staff of CMB, therefore the Government requested the tenderers to give priority to employing them, and the terms and conditions of service of the unsuccessful bidders should not be lower than those of CMB; as there were still vacancies in CMB and KMB, the Labour Department could assist in the arrangement, and those who intended to retire were also looking for help. In 1997, CMB started a labour dispute because of a pension scheme and admitted that it was because of the employer's good or bad treatment of the employees. Therefore, the Administration contacted the trade unions of CMB and hoped that they would be sensible and would not go on strike because of the dispute. The Administration has also made preparations for the new operators to commence service earlier if necessary.[87] |
CMB later issued a statement refuting that the differences between the two sides had narrowed and that the reason for not reaching an agreement was CMB's dissatisfaction with the government's further reduction of 24 regular routes, as five of the profitable routes could subsidise the other loss-making routes and maintain a level playing field with Citybus on the major routes, as well as providing CMB with the opportunity to develop its network.
In addition, some political parties and members of the community have also expressed their views on the decision, including:
| Expresser | Response |
|---|---|
| Cheng Hon-kwan, Chairman of Transport Advisory Committee | Expressed the view that the termination of CMB's franchise by the Government will help improve bus services on Hong Kong Island because the Transport Department may include conditions on service improvement when it re-tenders for new bus services, and the selection of a new bus company will be based on the overriding consideration of public interest in terms of management capability and improvement measures.[86] |
| Lau Chin-shek, Spokesman, Joint Committee on Regulation of Public Utilities | He welcomed the proposal but was concerned about the operation of CMB during the transitional period from the announcement of the non-renewal of its franchise to the open tender, as it was not known what would happen during this period and it would be ideal to suggest that the Government should take over the operation of CMB until a new operator could be brought in by open tender, so as to put the mind of CMB staff at ease. It was doubtful whether Citybus would be able to operate a number of bus routes in one go.[88] |
| Wong Wai-yin, Democratic Party Spokesman on Transport | He said he had always believed that CMB could not satisfy the needs of passengers, and that this incident reflected that the Government had reached the end of its patience with CMB and had finally decided to cancel its franchise. However, the outcome of the negotiation might also be attributed to the then Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law's hard-line approach, which worried that CMB's service would deteriorate or even be suspended in the meantime, and that the Government should therefore step up its monitoring of CMB, and formulate changes to prepare for the takeover of CMB's service. Wong also believes that the new franchise should not be awarded to Citybus because it has already been granted more than 10 bus routes automatically and capturing another 88 routes would result in monopoly. Besides, Citybus' rapid development has also raised concerns about whether it would be overloaded.[88][89] |
| Tam Yiu-chung, Executive Council Member | He hoped that the new operator will make proper arrangements for the transfer of CMB staff to avoid affecting their employment opportunities and livelihood.[90] |
| Liberal Party |
|
| Cheung Hon-chung, Vice-president of Provisional Legislative Council Panel on Transport | Said that CMB's service performance was unsatisfactory in the past, and that the Government's re-tendering of the franchise could introduce new competition, which would be beneficial to the public, and believed that the new operator would be able to provide good service to the public.[90] |
| DAB |
The statement said that they had proposed to the Transport Department (TD) as early as June 1997 that the existing routes of CMB's franchise should be put up for open tender to allow fair competition from other operators interested in operating bus services on Hong Kong Island, and therefore welcomed the decision of the Executive Council.[90]
|
| Hong Kong Progressive Alliance[90] |
|
| Ho Chung-tai, Member of Provisional Legislative Council | He said that the termination of CMB's franchise was expected, pointing out that the Government had been negotiating with CMB to improve its service standard, enhance staff training and replace its older buses, but had failed to meet the target. Since the Government would stipulate in the open tender the terms and conditions that CMB staff would be given priority in employment, it believed that their employment opportunities could be safeguarded, and that their morale should not be affected. It was also said that if KMB and Citybus could win the tender to operate CMB's franchised routes, the service standard would be safeguarded.[90] |
| Scholars Hung Wing-tat et al. | Agreed that the Government should not award new routes to Citybus but should introduce more competition. Hiong opined that CMB's assets could be taken over and sold to the new operator, which would avoid the need to acquire more assets, while Lam was concerned that it would be difficult to implement the priority hiring of existing CMB staff as the cost of hiring new staff and then retraining them would be substantially lower than hiring staff with longer years of service and higher salaries.[88] |
| Huang Chen-ya, Provisional Southern District Councillor | The decision made by the SAR Government could cure the residents of the unsatisfactory services provided by CMB over the years. It is also hoped that the monitoring of new operators can be strengthened in the future, for example, by shortening the franchise period, so as to keep a close and strict watch on the quality of service provided by the bus companies, and to prevent them from being unable to terminate their franchises immediately when their standards drop.[91] |
| Yuen Mo, Member of Provisional Legislative Council and Panel on Transport | He said that the quality of CMB's service had continued to deteriorate at that time. Although the Government had been negotiating with CMB for years and requesting for specific measures to improve the service, there had not been any satisfactory result, therefore, 88 bus routes were put up for open tender with a view to providing quality service by a new operator. He pointed out that CMB's failure to extend its franchise might lead to the management abdicating its responsibility during the transition period, and the staff would be worried about their livelihood, resulting in emotional instability; therefore, the Government should step up its supervision in the meantime, so as to ensure that Hong Kong Island could have normal bus services. The Government should also co-operate with the new operator and make concerted efforts to solve their livelihood problems properly, so as not to render more than 2,000 staff jobless upon termination of the franchise.[92] |
Meanwhile, the Traffic and Transport Committees of the four Provisional District Boards (PDBs) on Hong Kong Island also welcome the Government's decision, including:
| Opinions expressed by the Traffic and Transport Committees PDBs on Hong Kong Island[93] |
|---|
|
In addition, the Hong Kong Commercial Daily also quoted the public as welcoming the termination of CMB's franchise. Among them, residents of the Southern District, who had been disturbed by its strikes, considered that the authorities should terminate its franchise earlier and introduce other bus companies to provide the service; in view of the unique topography of the Hong Kong Island, quite a number of CMB routes also pass through Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, and residents living in Wan Chai claimed that CMB's service frequency was seriously insufficient, and that even if there were five or six routes, they still had to wait for 20 minutes before boarding the bus. Therefore, they supported the Government's decision not to extend CMB's franchise.[94]
Government orders rationalisations of 24 routes[]
The Government has all along considered that there was room for bus route rationalisation on Hong Kong Island. The Transport Department has three principles in considering the rationalisation of CMB Route Network:
- Promoting healthy competition in bus services across Hong Kong Island;
- ensuring that each operator has a balanced and financially viable bus network
- balancing the ratio of Hong Kong Island routes to cross-harbour routes within each network to avoid over-emphasis on profitable cross-harbour routes.
Based on the above principles, it is intended that 11 routes will be cancelled upon the expiry of the CMB franchise[67]. Some of these routes (i.e. the 3-morning cross-harbour routes) will only operate during peak hours to relieve congestion along Nathan Road; however, with the commissioning of the MTR Tung Chung Line, the patronage of these routes was expected to drop[95]. Of the other 13 routes, the cross-harbour route 300 was reverted to sole operation by KMB, while the remaining 12 routes were directly handed over to Citybus for operation in order to merge with its routes and to tie in with its development strategy; TD stressed that only three of these 12 bus routes were profitable under CMB's operation. As for the five important bus routes that CMB wished to retain, the main reason for handing them over directly to Citybus instead of selecting an operator through an open tender was to enhance the overall efficiency of bus operation.
After the network restructuring, Citybus would have 86 bus routes while the new operator would operate 88. The Administration believes that a balance could be struck between the two and denied that the arrangement was biased in favour of Citybus.[96]
| 24 routes ordered to be rationalised by the Government | ||
|---|---|---|
| CMB Routes | Termini[97] | Remarks |
| 11 routes ordered to cease operation outright | ||
| 10A | City Garden → Central (Gilman Street) Central (Gilman Street) → North Point Ferry Pier |
|
| 38A | Tin Hau MTR Station ↔ Chi Fu Fa Yuen | Route 38 observed Aberdeen Bus Terminus on the day of Route 38A's cancellation |
| 79 | Wah Kwai Estate ↺ Aberdeen | |
| 302 | Tsz Wan Shan (North) → Sheung Wan | Eventually retained, jointly-operated by NWFB and KMB after the end of CMB's franchise Changed to operate jointly by Citybus and KMB after the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger on 1 July 2023 |
| 303 | Yiu On → Sheung Wan | Replaced by Route 681P by Citybus and KMB which has similar routing after the end of CMB's franchise |
| 305 | Mei Lam → Sheung Wan | Finally retained and changed to jointly operated by NWFB and KMB upon the end of the CMB's franchise Replaced by Route 985 via Tsing Sha Highway and Western Harbour Crossing on 22 August 2015 |
| 336 | Lei Muk Shue → Sheung Wan Admiralty (East)→Lei Muk Shue |
Finally retained and the frequency operated by CMB was cancelled upon the expiry of CMB's franchise (i.e. operated solely by KMB) Replaced by Route 936 via Western Harbour Crossing on 16 June 2014 |
| 337 | Kwai Shing (East) → Sheung Wan Central (Macau Ferry) → Kwai Shing (East) |
|
| 504 | Wan Chai Ferry Pier ↔ Wah Fu (South) | NWFB initially intended to take over this route but was opposed by the Transport Department; eventually NWFB started a new route 4X instead |
| 721 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Taikoo Shing | NWFB Route 720's Special Departure to and from Taikoo Shing was later introduced on the same day, and was given a separate number 720P on 10 June 2002 |
| A20 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Kai Tak Airport | Kai Tak Airport closed on 6 July 1998 and the only airport route in the history of CMB ceased operation at the same time |
| 1 route change to solely operated by KMB | ||
| 300 | Prince Edward MTR Station ↔ Sheung Wan | Cancelled on 17 May 1999 |
| 12 routes transferred to Citybus | ||
| 10 | North Point Ferry Pier ↔ Kennedy Town | |
| 11A | Lai Tak Tsuen ↔ Wan Chai Ferry Pier | Citybus rationalised two routes to new routes 25A and 25C, the latter was cancelled on 14 July 2013 |
| 25M | Wan Chai (HKCEC Extension) ↺ Braemar Hill | |
| 80 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Central (Wing Wo Street) | Overlapped with another Siu Sai Wan Express Route 8X operated by Citybus, resulting in the cancellation of the old semi-express route 80 in Chai Wan upon the expiry of CMB's franchise; NWFB introduced a new route 8P on the same day to replace part of its service |
| 102 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Mei Foo | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| 307 | Tai Po Central ↔ Sheung Wan | Jointly-operated with KMB; upgraded to full weekday service on 28 December 2002 and again to full daily service on 20 June 2003 |
| 537 | Chi Fu Fa Yuen ↔ Admiralty (West) | Citybus reorganised the route into Route 37X |
| 606 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Choi Wan | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| 619 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Shun Lee | |
| 690 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Hong Sing Garden | |
| 780 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Central (Wing Wo Street) | |
| 788 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Central (Wing Wo Street) | Upgraded to whole-day service on 19 October in the same year |
Note: After Citybus took over the above CMB routes, it provided full air-conditioned service immediately and individual KMB trips of the jointly-operated routes 690 were still operated by non-air-conditioned buses until 8 September in 2002.
88 CMB routes open for bidding[]
Immediately after the Executive Council announced that the CMB franchise would not be renewed, the Transport Bureau published a gazette notice to launch 88 CMB routes seeking new operators by open tender with a new five-year franchise[98].
The then Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law, explained to the Provisional Legislative Council about the decision to tender the 88 routes as a whole network.
| 18 February |
|---|
|
Mrs Fanny Law appeared on a RTHK programme and said that although the open tender for the right to operate CMB's 88 bus routes would only last for 20 days, which was a relatively short period of time and would give a perceived advantage to the established operators, she stressed that the resources required for the operation of the bus services concerned could be raised in the market and it was believed that bids could be made in time within the 20 working days, and that this would not have any impact on the bidders who were interested in the operation of the bus services. This will not have any impact on bidders who are interested and motivated to participate in the operation of bus services. Mr Law went on to say that when the Government receives the bids, it will consider them from four aspects, including service quality, transitional arrangements, its own operational capability (including management and financial capability) and the enhancement of competitiveness in the bus industry; even though KMB and Citybus have an edge in operating bus services and have a certain degree of knowledge of the market operation, it may not be difficult for the other bus companies to compete with them, but assuming that all the bidders have the same conditions and that one is an inexperienced operator, it would not be difficult to compete with the others. However, assuming that all bidders have the same terms and conditions, one of the inexperienced operators would be given priority to operate, so as to maintain the competitiveness among franchised bus companies in Hong Kong and to avoid the emergence of a monopoly situation. It was further said that the new operator was a new competitor, and that if the first three scores were exactly the same, the additional score given by the Government in the fourth category would definitely be higher.[99][100][101][102][103] |
| 21 February |
|---|
|
The then Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law, explained to the Provisional Legislative Council about the decision to tender the 88 routes as a whole networkinstead of splitting them was made because the profitability and attractiveness of the bus service network would be affected if they were tendered separately due to the small size of Hong Kong Island, and there would also be problems in the allocation of land resources such as the provision of sites for bus stops and depots if there were too many bus companies operating on Hong Kong Island. While there might be at most two bus companies competing with each other on Hong Kong Island, Mr LAW assured Members that the Government would closely monitor the performance of the new franchisees to ensure that they would still be able to provide high quality services. The Government further stressed that experience in operating bus services was only one of the criteria for assessing the bids. Other factors to be considered included the ability of the bidders to provide high quality bus services, operational efficiency, the proposed arrangements for CMB's staff and the effectiveness in maintaining healthy competition in bus services; furthermore, the possibility of any organisation winning the bid could not be ruled out and apart from the experience in operating a bus company, the experience in business management of the bidders would be taken into account. Apart from experience in operating bus companies, the Administration would also take into account the bidders' experience in business management. The Government should not blindly introduce more companies due to competition as the quality of service would remain the most important consideration at the end of the day. Therefore, the new franchisee would not necessarily be an established bus company. The Secretary for Transport, Mr Nicholas Ng, said that in making approval decisions, the Administration would balance various factors. Mr Ng said that although new franchises lasted for only five years, they could normally be renewed for several more decades if they were well established, and that the Administration would also take into account the organisations' ability to raise funds when approving the applications, and was not concerned that the short duration of the franchises would put pressure on the operators to increase their fares.[104] |
Apart from assisting the new operator to take over CMB's assets on a temporary basis, the Government will also allocate two sites in Chai Wan with a total area of about 20,000 square metres to the new operator for the construction of Bus Depot and maintenance workshops. It is planned that the land at Wong Chuk Hang Heung Yip Road granted by private treaty to CMB depot land use would be resumed immediately upon the expiry of CMB's franchise and leased to the new franchisee under a one-year short term tenancy, the renewal of which will depend on the new franchisee's depot development plan.
Ming Pao also interviewed 1,156 members of the public through a computerised audio interactive system. 707 (61.2%) said they were in favour of the Government's move, and in terms of granting bus franchises, 699 (60.5%) said it was the quality of service, followed by fare standard (183/15.8%), route arrangement (114/9.9%) and other aspects (78/6.7%).[105]
On the other hand, a number of prospective tenderers, having learnt that 88 bus routes on Hong Kong Island were put up for open tender, requested for tender documents:
| Organisations/agencies requested tender documents | Response from the Organisation/agency |
|---|---|
| CMB | It issued a statement late on 17 February saying that it would study the details of the open bidding process before deciding whether to participate. The government does not comment on the reasons for the breakdown of the CMB franchise negotiations, nor does it speculate on the reasons for this.[106] and also stressed that the audited accounts for the year ended 30 June 1997 showed that the net assets of the Group's bus operations accounted for only 7.4% of the Group's net assets and that the operating profit generated by the bus operations accounted for only 5.8% of the Group's operating profit for the year. The Group has taken this opportunity to focus on its non-bus businesses. |
| KMB | The Senior Assistant Manager of the Public Relations Department, Mrs Peggy Chan, said that she specialised in bus services and had more than 60 years of experience in the operation of bus services. She had always been committed to serving the travelling public and would adopt a positive attitude towards new routes if they were available for bidding, and would therefore be very interested in and consider the open tender of CMB's 88 bus routes because she had always been very attentive to the opportunity of expanding the bus service network. However, as the Government had just announced that the group would be put up for open tender and the details of the tender and other contents were not yet known, it would be premature to express interest in any particular route at that time. Therefore, we will contact the Transport Department to study and understand the terms and conditions in detail before deciding whether or not to take part in the tender, so as to formulate a concrete development plan and lease CMB's plant and facilities, and the tender will not affect the existing bus services and passengers.[107][106][108][109][110][111]On the question of whether KMB would have sufficient resources to operate 88 additional bus routes if it won the tender, the company said that it was too early to say, but that it would need sufficient time to prepare for the huge investment in its fleet and manpower and the Government's requirement for new buses, and that it would certainly have the capacity to provide the service if it won the tender for the bus routes in question.[107][108][112] It was further stated that priority would be given to CMB staff on the basis of past vacancies and that interviews would be open to those with experience and suitable qualifications, and that the decision would not be influenced by whether or not a candidate was a CMB staff member.[106] |
| Citybus |
|
| Kwoon Chung | Expressed interest on 88 CMB routes[110]; as the person in charge was not in Hong Kong, there was no response.[107] The spokesman subsequently said that he had been operating non-franchised bus services since 1948, and that the former Lantau Bus Company was also a subsidiary of his company, and that the entire group, with a fleet of more than 1,000 buses (including buses operated in the Mainland), undertook to be willing to take on the staff of CMB once the tender was awarded.[113] |
| New World Development | Managing Director Henry Cheng Kar-shun promised on 19 February that if the bidding for CMB's franchise was successful, all of CMB's original staff would be offered competitive terms and conditions. He pointed out that New World Development Company Limited was engaged in service business and even if the bus business could not absorb all the staff, the group would arrange for the remaining staff to transfer to other business positions in its companies. One of the Government's considerations in examining new bus operators on Hong Kong Island was how to take over CMB's staff. New World indicated that it would take over all CMB's staff; however, it had no experience in operating bus services and could not easily compete with Citybus, KMB and Kwoon Chung. Regarding New World's lack of experience in operating bus services, Mr Cheng explained that he was confident about the future of Hong Kong and the prospect of the bus business, and considered that the Administration would invest close to $200 billion in the development of infrastructure and road networks in the next five years, and therefore there should be a potential for the development of public transport, and considered that although buses were a more specialised service industry and were not an attractive investment at that time; however, the subsidiary company, NWS, had a strong financial position and a strong financial position, as well as a strong financial position. However, the subsidiary company, New World Development Company Limited, with its strong financial strength and corporate management which is basically the same as that of other service industries, as well as its experience in service businesses such as property management and security, will play a complementary role in the management of bus services based on its experience in the relevant industries, and it is capable of running a good company in providing the public with quality services, so as to make improvements and expand its business, and its fares can also maintain their competitiveness, thereby injecting new impetus into the public transport system. However, in order to make up for the lack of experience, New World would not rule out the possibility of discussing with the three overseas bus companies with relevant aspects the feasibility of co-operation in the tender, but the form has not yet been determined, and does not rule out the possibility of hiring professional overseas expertise to manage the company, or possibly through shareholding co-operation or the other party to assist in the role of a technical consultant only, and did not discuss co-operation with the local bus companies, he believes that the company is capable of running the bus services.[113][114][115][116][117] And the Hong Kong Commercial Daily cited sources, said that New World as early as August 1997 has indicated plans to divest the relevant service business to be listed, the injection of the bus business is still to pave the way for this move, he continued to say that the New World will partner foreign capital and Hong Kong companies, each of them a joint consortium to bid for the bidding; the former is to provide the relevant technology, and the latter has the ability to operate the industry, with New World having the largest share of the consortium.[118]
Cheng also disclosed that the estimated total investment of $1.5 billion to $2 billion would be used for purchasing buses, building factories, upgrading equipments and operating systems, among which the expenditure on purchasing new buses would account for the majority to provide modern bus services. However, he did not disclose the number of new buses as the bidding had not yet been submitted, and the initial period of leasing CMBs for the time being; at that time, the capital available to NWDCL would be as high as $7 billion, and the industry believed that the strong financial strength would be another advantage for its victory. At that time, NWD had a capital of $7 billion at its disposal. He emphasised that if the franchise is awarded, all CMB staff will be recruited as far as possible, and if they cannot be absorbed by the bus business or are not interested in working in the bus depot, they can be arranged to work in the group's companies. In the past, the staff went on strike because they were dissatisfied with the CMB, but once the new employer manages them properly, the staff will be able to keep their jobs. In addition, if the bus business is successfully injected into NWS, the market value of the company will be doubled, which will facilitate the spin-off and listing of the company in the future.[114][119][120] Cheng pointed out that the margins of KMB and Citybus were better than those of CMB, which indicated that there might have been problems with their past operations, such as overlapping structures. He admitted that the rate of return of the bus business at that time was not attractive, but he was confident that New World could, through the introduction of a group, improve the management and services of the business, so as to bring down the operating costs and increase the margins, and he also pointed out that the bus business would help to develop the potentials and enhance the image. He also cited the example of the Sun Hung Kai-led consortium's bid for the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal, in which the consortium was quite dissatisfied with its failure to win the bid despite a higher bidding price than its rivals. However, the consortium had confidence in bidding for the bus franchises, and considered that the incident was a special case mainly because of the communication problems between the consortium and the Government, while the situation of the bus franchises bidding was the opposite[115][117]. It was further stated that when New World learnt of the resumption of strikes by CMB in November 1997 and negotiated with the Government on the extension of its franchise, the idea of operating a bus business began to emerge and New World wrote to the Government expressing an interest in taking over its routes, but it did not yet have the necessary contacts with officials at that time.[119][120][117] |
| Dah Chong Hong under CITIC Pacific | Chief Executive Officer Lee Chung-hing said that he would form a joint venture with Kwoon Chung Bus (KCB) to bid for CMB's new franchise for 88 routes, with CITIC and KCB each taking a 70 per cent and 30 per cent shareholding respectively. However, he did not disclose the amount of investment expected to be spent on the project, but only said that the group had already weighed up its own financial capacity before making the move, and that the future joint venture company would mainly focus on the bus business and had no intention of expanding into other businesses.[118]
He pointed out that the partnership was a result of the fact that DCH had always sold buses and was a major bus supplier. Although the joint venture was not as big as Citybus in terms of the number of buses and the number of drivers, it had an advantage in the selection of buses and maintenance techniques, and acknowledged that accepting CMB staff was one of the operating conditions, and that it was expected that training and management would be a major focus for its future development. Lee added that this was one of a series of co-operation discussions that began in 1997, based on his experience and leadership as the largest motor vehicle distributor in Hong Kong with an existing imported bus business, which includes the distribution of motor vehicles and their accessories, as well as the provision of after-sales maintenance services; and Koon Chung Bus's many years of experience in operating buses and its position as the largest non-franchised bus company. He is confident that if the two companies work together to secure the CMB routes, they will be able to provide reliable and high quality services to passengers. He is also confident that they will be able to enhance healthy competition in franchised bus services and meet the Government's requirements. Although it is true that the number of buses and drivers is not as large as that of Citybus, it attaches greater importance to the safety of buses and the driving behaviour of drivers.[114][120][121][122][119] According to Sing Pao Daily News, CMB has dealings with CITIC Pacific, so Kwoon Chung's statement immediately became a big hit because the Government has all along refrained from over-expansion of the established operators or the creation of a monopolistic situation by the bus companies.[119] He also stated that once the tender for the 88 bus routes was awarded, the entire project would involve an investment of at least $1 billion, including the construction of a depot and the purchase of buses. However, the Government required the new operator to take over the project from 1 September, which was only half a year away, and this was insufficient time, and it was believed that initially, it would be necessary to rent some of the assets of the CMB, such as the depot and the newer buses[119]. He also said that the details were still at the drafting stage and would take two to three weeks to study and therefore could be disclosed before the details of the idea were finalised.[122] |
| Guangdong Travel under Guangdong Investment | General Manager Hui Ho-ming told Hong Kong Economic Journal that he had no comment on his participation in the bidding. The newspaper also quoted market sources as saying that Guangdong Investment had participated in Hong Kong's public utilities programme in the early years, and had taken a 1% stake in Citybus, but sold it before the company was listed on the stock exchange.[121] |
| Tai Fung Coach Limited, a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings | The Hong Kong Economic Journal said that it would only make reference to the tenders received and had no intention to participate in the bidding.[123] |
| Dennis Specialist Vehicles, a main vehicle manufacturer in the UK | The person-in-charge of the company said that the information in the tender would help them to understand how their customers would purchase buses in the future.[124] |
| Ananda Wing On Travel (Holdings) Limited | Deputy Chairman Chan Yeuk-pun said he had obtained the application form and studied the tender, but had not yet decided whether or not to go ahead with the bidding. He added that although the company's main business was travelling, it had about 200 coaches for operating local tours, and it had some experience and expertise in this area.[125] |
| Hong Kong Tramways Limited | General Manager Frankie Yick told reporters on 20 February that he would not bid for the project but would obtain the tender for information purposes only. He said that his company has always operated public transport services, and it is rare to see such a large-scale tender project, so they are naturally interested in new development opportunities. Therefore, they are naturally very interested in obtaining the tender documents, so as to understand the details of the Government's requirements on bus services, which will help the company to consider whether to participate in the public tender for bus services in NDAs when it is conducted in future. He said that even if they were interested in the open tender, they would be constrained by time constraints and would have little chance of bidding for the tender. Yee appreciates that the bus business has great potential in Hong Kong and can be considered a very good business. Therefore, they do not rule out the possibility of making investments in this area in the future, including the operation of bus services in new towns, as well as other favourable public utilities, and they will study each and every one of them.[124][126] |
The then Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, also held a press conference to call on the management of CMB to fully co-operate with the Government to ensure that there would be no interruption of bus services. She said the move was made in the hope of introducing, through competition, a determined and sincere operator capable of providing quality and good bus services to the public, and that the consortium of the bidder at the time had shown strong interest in the bidding. It is believed that this will help the new operator to introduce a good bus service as soon as possible, and with the co-operation of CMB staff, the service will be able to operate smoothly on 1 September.[119][127] It was also said that the Administration was well aware of their concerns and would set out clearly in the tender the terms on which new operators would need to engage them.
The newspaper quoted Mr Lam Pun-lee (林本利), Assistant Professor of the Department of Business Studies of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, as criticising the granting of a full set of 88 bus routes to CMB, which would give an advantage to large companies. He pointed out that the bus business was not as cost-effective as it was large in scale, and he also said that if Citybus took over the position of CMB, the same mistake as that of CMB would be made again; and that if KMB took over the franchise, the whole territory's traffic would be paralysed in case of a labour dispute at KMB, and he therefore maintained that the authorities should consider introducing competition and preventing monopoly and strikes. Therefore, he was of the final view that consideration should be given to having two to three bus companies to take over CMB's bus routes, taking into account factors such as the introduction of competition, prevention of monopoly and strikes.[128]
By the closing date of 13 March 1998, the Government had received six tenders, totalling:[129][130]
| Bidding consortium | Response from the consoritum |
|---|---|
| CMB, which has just been rejected by the authorities for franchise extension, and the British bus company Stagecoach Holdings plc, which has been eager to enter the franchised bus business in Hong Kong, have joined hands to form "Affluent Dragon Island Limited" | CMB said it was involved in the tender, but declined to comment or say whether it was in partnership with other companies. Ms Lau, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong branch of the company, told the media that the head office in the UK had also sent staff to Hong Kong to discuss co-operation with CMB.[131] According to the press, CMB spent more than $1 million on the tender and asked Stagecoach to send its staff to Hong Kong to take charge of the tender. In the tender, apart from proposing to improve the service with new buses, Stagecoach also proposed to employ the former head of Citybus' engineering department to take charge of the maintenance work [132]; both parties had a 50/50 split, and the day-to-day operation of the company would be taken care of by Stagecoach after the tender was awarded; the consortium concerned even undertook to purchase 340 buses by the end of 1999, and to provide the buses to the public by the end of the year. The consortium also committed to purchasing 340 new buses by the end of 1999, 200 of which would be in service by the end of the year.[133] Hong Kong Commercial Daily later quoted a government source as saying that apart from improving its image, CMB's main concern in co-operating with Beta Bus was its order for new buses, which could be transferred to CMB to meet the Government's requirement of replacing all old buses in three years' time.[132] |
| Hong Kong Public Bus Company Limited, which was formed jointly by Dah Chong Hong and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, the parent company of NLB | Dah Chong Hong's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lee Chung-hing, who is also a Deputy Managing Director of CITIC Pacific, told the media that the combination of DCH and Crownbus would enable the proposed service improvements to fully meet or even exceed the bidder's requirements. He believed that the business would bring a reasonable return and would be complemented by DCH's experience in supplying automotive spare parts, its wealth of good vehicle repair and maintenance facilities, and by the experience of Crownbus in operating buses. Safety and reliability is therefore one of its key selling points. Lee went on to say that the company was very confident in its ability to take over the CMB franchise, but said that due to the short timeframe, it would be required to take over the fleet, depot and staff once it was awarded the tender, and that the fleet would be phased out later on. The company also said that it considered bus operation a better business because of the stable demand for bus services, which are a necessity and generate stable income.[134][132][133][135] |
| Hong Kong United Bus Limited, formed jointly by Citybus Group, CKI Group, CTS International Investment and CNT Group |
|
| New Hong Kong Bus Company Limited, formed by Kowloon Motor Bus Holdings and China Merchants International and Marubeni Corporation | KMB's public relations manager, Peggy Chan, told Sing Tao Daily that KMB had submitted bids for 88 CMB routes, but refused to comment on whether KMB's monopoly of franchised public bus services in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories would arise once KMB obtained the franchise, reiterating that the company hoped to take advantage of the tender to expand its business. The company also said that it was difficult to estimate the chance of winning the tender. Asked whether the number of buses in KMB's fleet at the time could cope with the demand for new franchises, Chan refused to answer on the grounds that this was part of the tender document.[145] |
| Jumbo March Limited, formed by Singapore's DelGro Corporation, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, HKR International and Argos Bus Services | Speaking to the media, Managing Director of Argos Bus Services Ltd, Mr Yeung Wai-hung, who has 17 years of experience in operating bus services, mainly in Hong Kong, where he operates 10 estate bus routes, and in Nanjing, where he operates public buses, said he was confident that he would win the bid to operate CMB's franchised bus network. He added that the total value of the investment is expected to exceed $1 billion, and that the company will continue to use some of CMB's younger fleet of buses. The company will also give priority to CMB's frontline staff, who will work under better conditions than at the time, while the company will try to absorb as many of CMB's clerical staff as possible, subject to personnel transfers. At the same time, 500 to 600 new buses will be purchased. However, Mr Yeung admitted that it would be difficult for the company to purchase new buses within a short period of time, so he hoped that the Government would help the company to lease buses from outside.[145][134][137][132] Executive Director Wong Woon-sang later told Oriental Daily News that the bid was made in partnership with three other companies, of which Argos Bus did not have the highest stake.[140] |
| "New World First Bus Services Limited", formed by NWS Holdings which had no previous bus operation experiences and UK's FirstBus Investments Limited | Mr Henry Cheng, Managing Director of NWD, the parent company of NWFB, told the media that NWFB would invest $2 billion to develop its business. Mr Cheng and Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive Officer of First Group, continued to point out that First Group was a bus operator in the United Kingdom, and that with the strength of NWD and its rich experience in operating bus business, it had the ability to win the franchise for the China Motor Bus (CMB) routes, and once the bid was awarded, they could bring some new technology and management experience to Hong Kong. Once the tender is awarded, they will be able to introduce some new technology and management experience to Hong Kong.[132][135]。According to the Hong Kong Commercial Daily, First Group is a large-scale mass transit operator in the United Kingdom. Apart from owning a large fleet of buses, it also operates railway and aircraft businesses and has been very successful in introducing new technologies, which has led to the co-operation between New World and First Group, and Henry CHENG has specially travelled to the United Kingdom to discuss the details of the co-operation. [132] |
Government lists 88 routes available for bidding[]
| Information on the 88 ex-CMB bus routes available for bidding | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route No. | Termini[97] | Remarks[146] |
| Hong Kong Island Routes | ||
| 2 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Central (Macau Ferry) | |
| 2A | Yiu Tung Estate ↔ Wan Chai Ferry | |
| 2M | Yiu Tung Estate ↔ Shau Kei Wan | Cancelled on 11 February 2006 |
| 3A | Central (Ferry Piers) ↔ Felix Villas | |
| 4 | Wah Fu (South) ↔ Central (Ferry Piers) | |
| 8 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Wan Chai Ferry | |
| 9 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Shek O | |
| 13 | Central (Star Ferry) ↔ Kotewall Road | |
| 14 | Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier ↔ Stanley Fort | |
| 15 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ The Peak | |
| 15B | Tin Hau MTR Station ↔ The Peak | |
| 15C | Central (Star Ferry) ↔ Garden Road (Peak Tram Terminus) | |
| 18 | North Point (Healthy Street Central) ↔ Sai Wan (Holland Street) | |
| 19 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Tai Hang Road | Cancelled on 24 March 2013 |
| 20 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Central (Wing Wo Street) | Cancelled on 29 March 1999 |
| 21 | Central (Exchange Square) ↺ Taikoo Shing | Renumbered as M21 and observed Hong Kong Station |
| 23 | North Point Ferry Pier ↔ Pokfield Road | |
| 23A | Lai Tak Tsuen ↺ Robinson Road | Cancelled on 14 July 2013 |
| 23B | Lai Tak Tsuen ↺ Park Road | |
| 25 | Central (Ferry Piers) ↺ Braemar Hill | |
| 26 | Lai Tak Tsuen ↺ Hollywood Road | |
| 27 | North Point Ferry Pier ↺ Braemar Hill | |
| 38 | Chi Fu Fa Yuen ↔ North Point Ferry Pier | |
| 42 | Wah Fu (South) ↔ North Point Ferry Pier | |
| 43 | Wah Kwai Estate ↔ Admiralty (West) | Cancelled on 20 May 2001 |
| 43X | Wah Kwai Estate ↔ Central (Exchange Square) | Cancelled on 17 May 2015 |
| 63 | North Point Ferry Pier ↔ Stanley Prison | |
| 64 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Ma Hang | Cancelled on 8 November 2004 |
| 65 | North Point Ferry Pier ↔ Stanley Village | |
| 66 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Ma Hang | |
| 78 | Wong Chuk Hang Estate ↺ Wah Kwai Estate | |
| 81 | Hing Wah Estate ↔ Lai Tak Tsuen | |
| 81A | Hing Wah Estate ↔ Lai Tak Tsuen | |
| 82 | Chai Wan (East)/Siu Sai Wan ↔ North Point Ferry Pier | |
| 83 | Siu Sai Wan ↺ Taikoo Shing | Cancelled on 6 May 2000 |
| 84 | Heng Fa Chuen ↺ Yiu Tung Estate | Cancelled on 9 January 2005 |
| 84M | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Chai Wan MTR Station | Cancelled on 23 August 2010 |
| 88 | Hing Wah Estate ↔ Central (Exchange Square) | Cancelled on 2 May 2000 |
| 91 | Ap Lei Chau Estate ↔ Central (Ferry Piers) | |
| 91A | Ap Lei Chau Estate ↔ Wah Fu (South) | |
| 93 | Ap Lei Chau Estate ↺ Robinson Road | |
| 93A | Lei Tung Estate → Robinson Road | |
| 94 | Lei Tung Estate ↔ Central (Ferry Piers) | Cancelled on 29 August 2022 |
| 94A | Lei Tung Estate ↔ Wah Fu (Central) | |
| 94X | Lei Tung Estate ↺ Admiralty (East) | Cancelled on 17 May 1999 |
| 95 | Ap Lei Chau Estate ↺ Shek Pai Wan | Cancelled on 7 April 2024 |
| 95A | Aberdeen (Wu Nam Street) ↔ Ap Lei Chau (Lee Nam Road Industrial Area) | Cancelled on 16 December 2002 |
| 95B | South Horizons ↺ Wong Chuk Hang Estate | Cancelled on 8 May 2017 |
| 262 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Chun Ma House Ma Hang Estate | Cancelled on 8 November 2004 |
| 309 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Shek O | Cancelled on 22 June 2008 |
| 338 | Chi Fu Fa Yuen ↺ Aberdeen (Wu Nam Street) | Cancelled on16 December 2001 |
| 374 | Wah Kwai Estate ↔ Repulse Bay | Cancelled on 20 June 2004 |
| 399 | South Horizons ↔ Stanley Village | Officially ceased service on 22 June 2008 |
| 590 | South Horizons ↔ Central (Exchange Square) | Cancelled on 10 October 1999 |
| 595 | South Horizons ↺ Aberdeen | |
| 720 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Central (Gilman Street) | |
| 722 | Yiu Tung Estate ↔ Central (Rumsey Street) | Cancelled on 3 June 2001 |
| 781 | Hing Wah Estate ↔ Central (Exchange Square) | Cancelled on 31 May 2004 |
| N8 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Wan Chai Ferry | |
| Cross-Harbour Routes | ||
| 101 | Kennedy Town ↔ Kwun Tong (Yue Man Square) | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| 101R | Happy Valley Racecourse → Kwun Tong (Yue Man Square) | |
| 102R | Happy Valley Racecourse → Mei Foo | |
| 104 | Kennedy Town ↔ Pak Tin | |
| 105A | Central (Macau Ferry) ↺ Cross-Harbour Tunnel Toll Plaza | Jointly-operated with KMB, cancelled on 8 February |
| 106 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Wong Tai Sin | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| 109 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Ho Man Tin | |
| 110 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Jordan Road Ferry | |
| 111 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ (Ping Shek) | |
| 112 | North Point ↔ So Uk | |
| 113 | Sai Wan (Holland Street) ↔ Choi Hung | |
| 115 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Kowloon City Ferry | |
| 116 | Quarry Bay ↔ Tsz Wan Shan (Central) | |
| 301 | Cross-Harbour Tunnel Toll Plaza → Sheung Wan | Jointly-operated with KMB, cancelled on 16 May 2022 |
| 601 | Admiralty (East) ↔ Sau Mau Ping (Central) | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| 641 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Kai Yip | |
| 680 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Lee On | |
| 691 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Hang Hau (North) | Jointly-operated with KMB, cancelled on 28 August 2002 |
| 802 | Sha Tin Racecourse → Siu Sai Wan | Jointly-operated with KMB, cancelled on 2 September 2018 |
| 811 | Sha Tin Racecourse → Kennedy Town | |
| 904 | Kennedy Town ↔ Lai Chi Kok | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| 905 | Wan Chai Ferry ↔ Lai Chi Kok | |
| 914 | Tin Hau MTR Station ↔ Sham Shui Po Ferry | |
| 948 | Tin Hau MTR Station ↔ Cheung On | |
| 970 | Aberdeen ↔ So Uk | |
| N121 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Ngau Tau Kok | Jointly-operated with KMB |
| N122 | North Point Ferry Pier ↔ Mei Foo | |
| N680 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Kam Ying Court | |
| N691 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Hang Hau (North) | |
The unconventional routes that the Government had planned to cancel in their entirety[]
It was reported that the Government intended to cancel a total of 13 unconventional routes on the day the CMB franchise ended[67], but there were in fact more than 13 unconventional routes operated by CMB at that time. When the new bus franchise finally came into effect, most of these routes had been operated at least once.
| Government announces information on former CMB unconventional routes to be cancelled | ||
|---|---|---|
| Routes | Termini[97] | Remarks |
| 15A | Shau Kei Wan ↔ The Peak | NWFB took over this route on 28 October 1998, and provided service for the last time on 13 October 2013. |
| 15M | Admiralty (East) ↔ The Peak | NWFBtook over this route on 28 October 1998, provided service for the last time on that day. |
| 15X | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ The Peak | NWFBtook over this route on 5 October 1998, and provided service for the last time on 23 January 2004.[147] |
| 86 | Chai Wan (East) ↔ Causeway Bay (Victoria Park Flower Market) | Cancelled already.[148] |
| 260X | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ Repulse Bay | NWFB took over this route on 18 June 1999, and provided service for the last time on that day. |
| 304 | Wah Fu (South) ↔ Causeway Bay (Victoria Park Flower Market) | NWFB took over this route on 16 February 1999, and provided service for the last time on 12 February 2002. |
| 308 | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Causeway Bay (Victoria Park Flower Market) | NWFB took over this route on 16 February 1999, and provided service for the last time on 12 December 2002. |
| 347 | Central (Ferry Piers) ↺ Aberdeen | Citybus took over this route on 25 October 1998, and still providing service until today. |
| 388 | Chai Wan MTR Station ↺ Chai Wan Cemeteries | NWFB took over this route on 28 October 1998, changed to operate by Citybus since 7 October 2023 following the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger, and still providing service until today. |
| 389 | Shau Kei Wan ↺ Chai Wan Cemeteries | NWFB took over this route on 28 October 1998, changed to operate by Citybus since 15 October 2023 following the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger, and still providing service until today. |
| 392 | South Horizons ↔ Causeway Bay (Victoria Park Flower Market) | No service was ever provided since the termination of CMB’s franchise. |
| N2 | Central (Macau Ferry) ↔ Shau Kei Wan | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, and provided service for the last time on 1 January 2002. |
| N4 | Wah Fu (South) ↔ Central (Ferry Piers) | NWFB took over this route on 16 February 1999, and provided service for the last time on 1 January 2000. |
| N9 | Shau Kei Wan ↔ Shek O | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, and was later renamed as 9S and provided service for the last time on 2 October 2020 |
| N10 | Kennedy Town ↔ North Point Ferry Pier | Citybus took over this route on 6 October 1998, and provided service for the last time on 14 February 2010 |
| N15 | Central (Exchange Square) ↔ The Peak | NWFB took over this route on 4 October 1998, and was later renamed as 15S and provided service for the last time on January 2016. |
| N23 | North Point Ferry Pier ↔ Pokfield Road | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, and was later renamed as 23S and provided service for the last time onn 1 January 2014 |
| N25 | Causeway Bay ↔ Lai Tak Tsuen | No service was ever provided since the termination of CMB’s franchise. |
| N38 | Chi Fu Fa Yuen ↔ North Point Ferry Pier | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, and was later renamed as 38S, which was changed to operate by Citybus since 1 January 2024 following the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger and still providing service until today. |
| N38A | Chi Fu Fa Yuen ↔ Tin Hau MTR Station | No service was ever provided since the termination of CMB’s franchise. |
| N111 | Choi Hung ↔ Causeway Bay (Hing Fat Street) | NWFB took over this route on 16 February 1999 and jointly operated with KMB; Kowloon terminus was relocated to Tsz Wan Shan (Central) and was renamed as N116 on 12 February 2002, with the latter changed to operate jointly by Citybus and KMB since 10 February 2024 following the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger and still providing service as of today. |
| N112 | Prince Edward MTR Station ↔ Causeway Bay (Hing Fat Street ) | NWFB took over this route on 16 February 1999 and jointly operated with KMB, provided service for the last time on 23 January 2012. |
| N590 | South Horizons ↔ Central (Exchange Square) | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, and was later renamed as 590S, provided service for the last time on 25 December 2016. |
| N595 | South Horizons ↺ (Aberdeen) | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, provided service for the last time on 1 February 2003. |
| N970 | Aberdeen ↔ So Uk | NWFB took over this route on 6 October 1998, provided service for the last time on 4 October 2009. |
New World First Bus granted new franchise[]
An inter-departmental tender evaluation committee, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner for Transport and with representatives from the Transport Bureau, Economic Services Bureau, Transport Department, Labour Department, Department of Justice and Independent Commission Against Corruption, assessed the six tenders. The assessment included the level, quality and fares of the proposed bus services; the quality of the tenderers' proposals to ensure a smooth transition of bus services, including proposals for the employment of CMB staff; the strength of the tenderers; and, to promote competition, bonus points for tenderers who were not operating franchised bus services in Hong Kong at the expiry of their CMB franchises.
On 31 March 1998, the Executive Council approved the granting of the franchises of 59 Hong Kong Island bus routes and 29 cross-harbour bus routes, totalling 88 bus routes, to New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB), a joint venture between New World Group and the British FirstGroup plc, with a franchise period from 1 September of the same year to 31 July 2003. According to Ta Kung Pao, the new franchise ended at a time other than the end of August to coincide with the summer holidays, and was only a technical change.[149]
The Secretary for Transport, Mr Nicholas Ng, together with the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law, and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Chan Yuen Tak-fai, immediately convened a press conference to make the announcement, which included the following:
| Comments expressed by Secretary for Transport Mr Nicholas Ng |
|---|
|
Mr Nicholas Ng pointed out that New World had undertaken in the tender to employ all the original staff of CMB to ensure a smooth transition of the bus service. He also claimed that CMB staff would be allocated to the bus service, but as New World would operate a smaller network than CMB with only 88 bus routes, the remaining staff might not be allocated to the relevant ranks, and in the event that they could not be taken up by the full number of CMB staff, they would be allocated to other jobs within the company or to groups or organisations under New World to ensure that they would be employed. In the event that they are not all accepted, they will be allocated to other jobs within the company or to groups or organisations under the New World Group to ensure their employment. At the same time, we have been in touch with CMB to prepare for the transfer of staff and have met with the CMB staff union.[150][151][151][152][153] He also pointed out that FirstGroup, with a partnership with New World, was the largest bus company in the UK, with a 22% share of the UK bus market. He said that NWD had a long history in Hong Kong, and although it was not involved in bus services, it would employ former CMB management staff to provide an uninterrupted service, and was committed to investing heavily in the bus business to provide quality bus services at reasonable fares to the public. The Government is confident that NWD will be able to bring in all of CMB's staff and partners with their extensive bus operating experience, expertise and technical assistance in handling the transition arrangements, and will be able to revolutionise bus services in Hong Kong and provide quality services. Mr Ng continued that NWFB was able to stand out from the six bidding consortia because, apart from fully meeting the four criteria stipulated in the tender, it was generally better than the other five bids in terms of organisation, financial resources, service delivery, fare setting level and how to ensure the continuation of CMB's service. The Jury therefore recommended and the Executive Council agreed that the new franchise should be awarded to the company.[149][151][152][154][155][156][150] Summing up, Mr Ng said that the response to the tender had been very good and the scope of selection had been widened to enable the Administration to select suitable operators to operate the 88 bus routes. He went on to say that the award of the new franchise to New World through open tender would promote competition in bus services on Hong Kong Island and passengers would benefit from the award of the new franchise by offering them better services at reasonable fares. It also believed that the award of the franchise to New World through open tender would enable competition to be maintained in the provision of bus services on Hong Kong Island, and said that its enthusiasm and creativity in operation were evident from its bid. It also said that its active preparatory work and appropriate transitional arrangements would enable it to provide quality bus services to the public on 1 September.[149] In handing over the tender notice to NWFB, the Commissioner for Transport Fanny Law praised the "creativity, vision and sense of social responsibility" of its tender proposal and believed that it would be able to provide quality and good bus services in the next five years of the franchise; she went on to say that NWFB was not inexperienced in operation as many of its staff had experience in bus operation in Hong Kong and one of them had been involved in the founding of Citybus.[151][152][157] New World Development Chairman Henry Cheng (鄭家純), who was present at the Transport Department to collect the winning tender notice, believes that NWFB can bring a new era of bus services and is committed to providing good services, and is confident in providing comfortable and inexpensive bus services to the public. [151][157] NWFB plans to invest $2 billion in its bus operations to implement a series of measures to improve its bus operations and passenger facilities, including the purchase of 500 new low-floor buses during the franchise period, and all new buses have been equipped with temperature control ventilation, disabled-friendly facilities, intercom, Octopus fare collectors, broadcasting equipment, information display system and speed display, as well as improvements to existing bus stops, bus stop shelters and better information display equipment at bus terminus. A Passenger Liaison Group has also been set up. In the meantime, NWFB has pledged to phase out all buses over 17 years old within two years, to build a NWFB Depot[152] on a site granted by the Government in Chai Wan unloading area, and to provide 100 new bus shelters each year. While a number of improvement measures will be implemented, NWFB has also pledged not to make any fare adjustment for at least the first year of the new franchise. To facilitate a smooth handover, New World also negotiated with CMB, including the leasing of Chai Wan Depot, the purchase of its buses, machinery and equipment. |
In addition, the UK First Group plc has provided support to NWFB, including:
- Improving the reliability of bus services, including the provision of sufficient buses to maintain regular schedules;
- improving the safety of buses so that the accident rate is reduced
- introduction of a UK driver training course to ensure that drivers know defensive driving techniques, drive only after passengers are seated, and have a polite and tidy appearance;
- the introduction of a "Customer First" programme to collect passenger satisfaction levels on a regular basis.
Support is also provided in two phases, namely the Pre-Operation and Start-Up Phase and the Operation Phase:
- Pre-operational and start-up phase: UK First Group will assist New World in developing preparatory plans, staff training, operational development guidelines, and advice on depot and maintenance equipment;
- Operation Phase: Full-time professional staff will be temporarily deployed to NWD to provide guidance on bus operation and staff recruitment.[158]
Handover process[]
Immediately after NWFB was awarded the franchise of 88 routes, negotiations commenced with CMB on various handover arrangements. One of the most prominent issues was the smooth handover of CMB's 710 buses, Chai Wan Depot, all bus captains and depot staff to NWFB.
On 22 July 1998, the Legislative Council approved the granting of a franchise to NWFB for 88 routes in the Schedule of Routes (New World First Bus Company Limited) Order 1998 under Section 5(3)(b) of Public Bus Services Ordinance, making it the first Schedule of Routes Order of NWFB to come into effect.[159]
At a press conference held by TD and NWFB on 22 August, the Commissioner, Mrs Fanny Law, said that the negotiations between CMB and NWFB on the transition arrangements were progressing well and a number of agreements had been reached:[160]
- CMB held an Extraordinary General Meeting on 14 August and endorsed the sale of 710 buses and related machinery and equipment of the three depots to NWFB for $335 million;[161]
- Details on 710 buses were submitted to the Transport Department for licensing under NWFB and the ownership would be effective from 1 September;
- CMB agreed to lease their Chai Wan Depot to NWFB for a period of three years from 1 September and also allowed NWFB's access to the Chai Wan Depot at 02:00 on 1 September;
- CMB and NWFB have agreed in principle to proceed with the handover of buses and assets related to bus operation in phases starting from the morning of 31 August;
- NWFB had signed up 1,100 CMB bus captains and 580 depot staff;
- CMB has agreed in principle to sell all the bus stop signs, superstructure and station manager's office to NWFB;
- For bus services at midnight on 1 September, the parties agree in principle to the following arrangements:[162]
- CMB would continue to operate 20 routes that run beyond midnight until the last trips;
- NWFB would operate five overnight routes from midnight onwards;
- Citybus would take over Route 10 from midnight onwards.
At 18:00 on the same day, NWFB also sent several engineering staff to Chai Wan Depot to inspect the 710 buses purchased from CMB, and in the morning of 19 August, accompanied by the Lands Department and Transport Department, to inspect the equipment and machinery purchased from CMB.[163]
Meanwhile, NWFB has put in place contingency measures to prevent delays and refuelling problems of CMB buses, including driving the buses to Heng Fa Chuen Chong Fu Road Depot or to the street side for refuelling and requiring all staff who have been transferred to other duties to arrive at their work stations two hours earlier than usual.[164]
As for the new buses ordered by NWFB, as at 31 August, 51 of them are already in service, including 19 12m Dennis Trident (1001-1019) and 32 Dennis Dart (2001-2015, 2017-2033) buses. Although it was unlikely that early morning bus services would be affected due to insufficient buses coming into service on the first day of the handover, back-up arrangements have been made to minimise the impact on the public by mobilising the fleets of other public transport operators, including KMB, Citybus, KCR and Public Bus Operators Association, if necessary.
Highlights of the standby arrangements include:[160]
- NWFB would deploy its requisitionable vehicles to maintain a minimum level of bus service;
- In the event of a serious vehicle shortage, KMB would temporarily take up the operation of some or all of the 24 cross-harbour routes jointly operated with NWFB; and the Public Bus Operators Association and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation would provide over 100 buses to complement NWFB's fleet;
- Citybus would enhance services on Hong Kong Island, especially in school zones and areas far away from MTR Island Line
- MTR and tram services would be enhanced as appropriate.
In addition, a former Transport Department (TD) officer gave verbal notice half a month ago to all minibus operators on Hong Kong Island to enhance their services on the day they took over 88 routes to ease traffic.[165]
CMB's last day[]
31 August 1998 was the last day of CMB's franchised bus service. CMB published an announcement in the newspaper that it would not be providing franchised bus services to all members of the public with effect from 1 September. It also thanked the passengers for their support for more than 60 years, saying that it was proud to have been able to serve Hong Kong, a unique city with unique transport requirements, for more than half a century, and expressed the hope that the new grantee would maintain its traditional spirit and provide a service to all Hong Kong people that would live up to the public's expectations[166]. CMB has also arranged for frontline staff who would not be transferred to NWFB not to work on the last day.[167]
In the morning of the same day, CMB took the rare step of co-operating by allowing NWFB to send fuel trucks to the three depots managed by CMB in Chai Wan, Wong Chuk Hang and Kennedy Town to fill 120,000 litres of fuel tanks. At around 6pm, CMB kept its promise and refuelled and filled the 710 buses as usual, with yellow signs to avoid confusion, and filled them for NWFB[168]. CMB supervisor Ngan Kit-ling went to work at the Chai Wan depot as usual and personally supervised the unloading of the cash boxes in the evening. In order to prevent the disclosure of cashier's secrets, CMB outsourced the last day's coin box works and employed a group of unscramblers to collect the coin boxes from the buses and transport the collected turnover to the unscramblers.[169][170]
In the late evening, NWFB sent five (or four[171]) staff to Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to affix the NWFB logo and slogan to the top corners of the doors, inside the cabin and in the middle of the bus body of the CMB bus parked there. A few staff members also cleaned and inspected the buses.[172]
At 23:45 on 31 August, NWFB's General Manager of Corporate Communications, Mr Kwan Chak-fai, arrived outside the Wong Chuk Hang depot and entered the depot at 00:00 on 1 September to witness the signing of a document by the husband of CMB's representative, Ms Ngan Kit-ling, to hand over the Wong Chuk Hang depot to the Government[173][174]; then at 00:05 the Acting Chief Estate Surveyor, Mr Lee Kin-ngai (also known as the Lands Commissioner[175]), and the Assistant Managing Director, Mr Lee Wai-ting, signed the handover document to hand over the depot to NWFB.[176][175] NWFB conducted a handover ceremony outside the Wong Chuk Hang depot ten minutes later and Li Wai Ting received a signed legal document from the Lands Department representative to signify NWFB's formal handover of the depot. Kwan Chak Fai, Wong Chi Chiu and General Manager (Operations) Choi Pak Wing entered Chai Wan depot at 04:00. They were turned away by CMB for a while because they had worked for CMB and there was dissatisfaction with their assistance to NWFB.[169][177] In addition, it was reported that NWFB had also taken over the Kennedy Town Depot.
Due to insurance liability issues, CMB temporarily decided to refuse to continue operating a total of 20 routes until midnight on 1 September until the last bus departure, which TD pointed out was not in breach of the terms of the franchise, and said that NWFB was ready to hand over early[178][179][180][181]. After an emergency meeting with the Transport Department, NWFB decided to dispatch a few dozen new buses to immediately take over the routes that were still in service after 0000 hours on 1 September, but due to a shortage of buses, the frequency had to be reduced and four cross-harbour routes jointly operated with KMB were handed over to the latter for such operations[169]; NWFB then dispatched 18 new buses to operate five overnight bus routes at midnight.[182]
Last buses of CMB routes began to depart before 11:59pm as midnight approached, and the departure of Route 84M on 00:05 on 1 September from Chai Wan MTR Station became the last CMB service, operated by a Leyland Fleetline (LF105/BL482), and arrived at Siu Sai Wan Estate Bus Terminus at 00:25[183][184].
At 02:00 on 1 September, NWFB Managing Director Adolf Hsu and dozens of official staff entered the Chai Wan depot and signed a three-year lease, signifying the end of the CMB era.[185]
NWFB's debut trip[]
In the early hours of 1 September, the first bus of Route N8 from Siu Sai Wan departed at 00:15, making it the first official NWFB bus departure, with the first licensed NWFB bus, the Dennis Trident 12m (1001/HU8370). Captain Cheung, who drove this historic trip, expressed his nervousness as he received a $50 start bonus from General Manager Adolf Hsu and set off early at around 00:10. Passengers on board clapped and cheered as the bus departed, and waved to those who braved the rain to watch and photograph the maiden voyage, as well as to the media who were there to cover the event.[177]
Mr Hsu was encouraged by the smooth departure of the first bus, and said that he had decided to depart five minutes earlier to avoid waiting for passengers at the station. The then Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Fanny Law, who was also wearing a red suit, said she was very pleased that CMB and NWFB had cooperated fully and had a smooth handover. [172][184]
As for NWFB, the first bus that actually operated on 1 September was the 00:10 departure of 84M route from the same terminus, operated by a Dennis Dart single-decker bus (2023/HV7858).
The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of Transport Department was activated on the first day of the operation of NWFB, which was a school day, to cope with emergency situations. The Transport Department and NWFB advised at noon that the operation was generally normal in the morning and buses were generally able to depart on time. However, shortly after the handover, an unladen Dennis Dart (2006/HV5087) collided with a petrol tanker at Heng Fa Chuen parking site, causing no injuries and constituting the first traffic accident since NWFB's commencement of operation.[186]
New routes operated by NWFB and Citybus on the end of the CMB franchise[]
| New routes operated by NWFB and Citybus on the end of the CMB franchise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Companies | Route | Termini[97] | Remarks | |
| NWFB | 4X | Wah Fu (South) → Wan Chai Ferry Pier | Replaced Route 504, cancelled on 20 May 2001 | |
| 8P | Siu Sai Wan ↔ Wan Chai Ferry Pier | Replaced some sections of Route 80, changed to operate by Citybus following the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger on 1 July 2023 | ||
| Citybus | 25A | Wan Chai (HKCEC Extension) ↺ Braemar Hill | Commenced earlier on 16 August 1998 to replace Routes 11A and 25M | |
| 25C | Wan Chai (HKCEC Extension) ↺ Braemar Hill | Commenced earlier on 16 August 1998 to replace Routes 11A and 25M, cancelled on 14 July 2013 | ||
| 37X | Chi Fu Fa Yuen ↺ Admiralty (East) | Commenced earlier on 24 August 1998 to replace Route 537 | ||
| NWFB | M21 | Central (Hong Kong Station) ↺ Taikoo Shing | Replaced Route 21, cancelled on 3 June 2001 | |
| KMB, Citybus | 681P | Yiu On → Sheung Wan | Replaced Route 303 | |
In addition, as mentioned in the earlier paragraph, Routes 302 and 305 routes originally planned to be cancelled were retained by NWFB and jointly operated by KMB and NWFB after being argued by District Council members. Together with the Routes 4X（first generation） and 8P mentioned above, NWFB operated a total of 93 routes on the first day of its franchise.
Notes and References[]
- ↑ Not counting the festival special routes, together with the Route 115P which was introduced shortly before CMB lost its franchise, as well as Routes 302 and 305 which were originally planned to be cancelled but were subsequently retained after District Council members argued for their retention, making there were actually 91 routes.
- ↑ The Governor in Council decides to fine CMB, Hong Kong Government Press Release., 1996-07-16
- ↑ 去年迎月山頂線脫班 中巴被「秋算」罰八千 (CMB was fined $8,000 for lost trips during Mid-Autumn Festival), forwarded by China Motor Bus Memorial Page.
- ↑ [新聞] 政府向中巴罰款八千元 (16/7/1996) ([News] The Government decides to fine CMB HK$8,000 (16/7/1996)), YouTube.
- ↑ Panel on Transport (Minutes) 22 Oct 97 - PLC Paper No. CB(1) 624 Sec. 10
- ↑ Panel on Transport (Minutes), LegCo Panel on Transport, 9 Oct 1996
- ↑ 中巴員工醞釀罷工 港島四十萬人將受影響 運輸署部署應變 (CMB staff are brewing a strike, 400,000 people on Hong Kong Island will be affected; Transport Department deploys contingency measures), Ta Kung Pao, 10 Oct 1996.
- ↑ 退休金談判僵持 兩部門介斡旋 中巴職工聲言下周罷工 (Stalemate in pension talks, two departments mediate; CMB workers claim to go on strike next week), Sing Pao, 10 October 1996.
- ↑ 中巴員工醞釀罷駛争福利 當局籲勞資洽商冷靜處理 運輸司表示已有應變措施包括調動其他交通工具 (CMB staff are brewing a strike to fight for their benefits, authorities urge employers and employees to negotiate a calm approach; Secretary for Transport says contingency measures are in place, including mobilising other transport modes), Wen Wei Po, 10 October 1996.
- ↑ 談判破裂員工揚言下周罷工 運署促中巴勞資盡快達共識 (Staff threaten to go on strike next week after talks break down; Transport Department urges CMB to reach consensus as soon as possible)， Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 10 oct 1996.
- ↑ 勞處官員調停勞資糾紛 運署：切勿罷駛擾民 (Labour officials to mediate labour dispute Transport Department: Don't disturb the public with strikes), Hong Kong Daily News, 10 Oct 1996.
- ↑ 中巴員工可能罷駛 運輸署有應變計劃 籲勞資以誠意解決退休金糾紛 (CMB staff may go on strike Transport Department has contingency plans and urges resolving pension disputes in good faith), Tin Tin Daily News, 10 October 1996.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 中巴司機揚言罷駛爭退休金 初定下周二周三上午時前不開車 (CMB drivers threaten to go on strike to fight for their pensions, tentatively scheduled not to drive until next Tuesday and Wednesday morning), Oriental Daily News, 10 October 1996.
- ↑ 冀改善高齡車 港府擬減中巴路綫 (Hong Kong Government proposes to reduce CMB routes with a view to improving old age vehicles), Sing Tao Daily, 10 May 1997.
- ↑ 港府擬再削減中巴路綫 使集中資源改善服務 (The Government intends to further reduce the number of CMB routes to focus resources on improving services), Wen Wei Po, 10 May 1997.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Franchise renewal of China Motor Bus Co. Ltd., LegCo Panel on Transport, 13 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 逾期月餘 專營權要不要無音訊 中巴路綫擬悉數競投 (No news on whether the franchise is overdue for more than a month; China Motor Bus Routes to be fully tendered), Sing Tao Daily, 14 June 1997.
- ↑ 巴士服務影響不大 (Not much impacts on bus services), Ming Pao, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 中華巴士汽車有限公司申請加價 (Application for fare increase by China Motor Bus Company Limited), Provisional Legislative Council Panel on Transport, November 1997.
- ↑ Legislative Council Panel on Transport China Motor Bus Company Limited's Franchise, Paper for the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, 13 June 1997.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 中巴未如期申請續專營權 政府研究98開放現有路綫競投 (CMB fails to apply for franchise renewal as scheduled; Government to study opening up 9existing routes for bidding in 1998), HKET, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 中巴否認無意申延專營權 (CMB denies unwillingness to extend franchise), Sing Pao, 14 June 1997.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 中巴過期未申請續專營權 當局或公開競投中巴路線 (CMB did not applying for renewal of its franchise overdue, and the authorities may openly bid for CMB routes), Wen Wei Po, 14 June 1997.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 專營權滿屆 15月前未提續期申請 123條中巴線擬公開招投 (CMB franchise about to expire without renewal application by 15 months; 123 CMB routes to be put up for open tender), Ming Pao, 14 June 1997.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 中巴逾期未提續期專利港府思對策 (CMB did not renew franchise overdue; Hong Kong government ponders countermeasures), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 中巴未依約申請續專利權 港府擬公開競投覓新公司 (CMB failed to apply for renewal of franchise; The Hong Kong Government intends to conduct an open tender for a new company), Oriental Daily News, 14 June 1997.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 港府中巴指放棄續約 中巴稱決心繼續經營 (Hong Kong Government's CMB says it is abandoning its contract renewal CMB says determined to continue operating), Hong Kong Daily News, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 zai1期限截止前未申請延續專利權 中巴網絡港府擬公開競投 (No application for renewal of patent before expiry of deadline; Hong Kong Government intends to open the tender of CMB bus network), Tin Tin Daily News, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Battle set for right to run Island buses, South China Morning Post, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 中巴專營權未續期 港府有意公開競投 (CMB franchise not renewed; Hong Kong Government intends to open tender), Ta Kung Pao, 14 June 1997.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Hopes That franchise opening will bring wider competition, Hong Kong Standard, 14 Jun 1997
- ↑ 中巴：商討在進行中 (CMB: Negotiations are underway), Ming Pao, 14 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 中巴喪失五年專營權 徜行會通融有機會獲續期兩年 (CMB loses five-year franchise and has a chance of renewal for two years with the ExCo's accommodation), Sing Tao Daily, 17 June 1997.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 "運輸科表明難延續其專營權 中巴「補護」提申請 為時已晚" (Transport Department indicates difficult to renew CMB's franchise; CMB's application for "top-up" too late), Ming Pao, 17 June 1997.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 CMB may get 2-year extension, Hong Kong Standard, 17 Jun 1997.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 "中巴遲交專營權申請 運署不會批五年期權" (CMB's late application for franchise: Transport Department will not grant franchise for five years), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 17 Jun 1997.
- ↑ "中巴申請延續專營權 運輸局或全面公開競投" (CMB's application for franchise renewal Transport Department may go to full open tender), Sing Tao Daily, 9 July 1997.
- ↑ "積弱不改、無可救藥 中西區議會交運會通過動議 求撤中巴專營權" (No remedy for the weaknesses that persist; motion passed by the Central and Western District Council to withdraw the franchise of CMB), Sing Tao Daily, 20 June 1997.
- ↑ 民主黨集二萬四簽名交中巴 要求服務質素凍結加價 (Democratic Party collects 24,000 signatures to hand over to CMB to demand service quality and freeze fare increase)， Eastern District Sing Tao Daily, 9 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 運署話已說出口 表明不滿服務 中巴老矣 拖累專營權 (Transport Department's words show dissatisfaction with service; CMB's buses are old and dragging down the franchise), Sing Tao Daily, 2 November 1997.
- ↑ 政府研究削減中巴路線 羅范椒芬稱要迫其改善服務 (Government to look at cutting CMB routes: Mrs Fanny Law says she wants to force it to improve services), Wen Wei Po, 2 November 1997.
- ↑ 政府傾向不續專營權 (Gov't inclines not to extend CMB franchise), Ming Pao, 14 November 1997.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 運輸署長強烈暗示中巴今次事件影響專營權談判 (C for T strongly implies that the current incident affects the CMB franchise negotiations), Sing Pao, 14 November 1997.
- ↑ 羅太應變有 員工要求合理 (Mrs. Law has contigency measures, says staff demands reasonable), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 14 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 港島四區議會齊轟中巴 (Councillors of 4 HKI districts blames CMB), Ming Pao, 14 November 1997.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Row may put paid to CMB franchise, Hong Kong Standard, 14 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 "動輒以市民利益為籌碼 區議員指中巴服務差加價多" (District Councillors accuse CMB of poor service and high fare increase, using public's interests as chips), Hong Kong Daily News, 14 November 1997.
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 "陳財喜斥要脅政府 甘乃威籲勿「吊鹽水」 促區議員斬斷中巴專營權" (Chan Choi-hei denounces and threatens the government; Kam Nai-wai urges DC members not to "dangle salt water" and cut the CMB franchise), Express, 14 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 議員指中巴經營不善 要求當局停批專營權 (Members say CMB is not operating well, requested for termination of franchise), Tin Tin Daily News, 14 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 "議員責玩手段 圖迫政府檯底交易 臨立會促廢中巴專營權" (Members blame tactics to force government to make under-the-table deals; Provisional Legislative Council urges repeal of CMB franchise), Sing Tao Daily, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 "中巴勞資糾紛影響審批專營權 臨立會議員批評帶來市民不便應以新營運商替代" (CMB labour dispute affects franchise approval; Provisional Legislative Councillors criticise that public inconvenience should be replaced by a new operator), Sing Pao, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 "議員炮轟中巴管理不善 要求港府勿延績專營權" (Members blast CMB for mismanagement, demand Hong Kong government not to extend franchise), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 不滿中巴年年有工潮 議員促勿績專營權 (Councillors dissatisfied with CMB's annual labour unrest, urgef against franchise renewal), Hong Kong Daily News, 15 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 54.4 54.5 54.6 "議員群起炮轟中巴 促政府斬斷經營權" (Members rose up and slammed CMB, urge government to end its operating rights), Tin Tin Daily News, 15 Nov 1997.
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 55.4 "臨會議員促斬中巴專營權 吳榮奎否認枱底交易 强調會考慮勞資關係" (PLC councillors urged to end CMB franchise: Nicholas Ng denied under-the-table deal, stressed that labour relations in consideration), Express, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 "議員促取消中巴專營權 吳榮奎稱需進一步研究 惟勞資糾紛情況將列為考慮因素" (Members urge cancellation of CMB franchise; Nicholas Ng says further study needed but labour dispute situation to be considered), Ta Kung Pao, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 "議員批評港府過度容忍中巴 吳榮奎否認斡旋有枱底交易" (Members criticise HK Gov't for over-tolerating CMB; Ng Wing-fui denies under-the-table deal), Oriental Daily News, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ China Motor Bus Co Ltd's Labour Dispute, Meeting of the Panel on Transport of the Provisional Legislative Council, 30 December 1997
- ↑ 張立："商心國是 - 中巴老化，吐故納新" (Zhang Li: Business Mind - CMB's ageing fleets should be replaced with new companies), published to HKEJ Financial News, 15 November 1997.
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 "中巴專營權議員促勿延續" (CMB Franchise: Councillors urge not to extend), Sing Tao Daily, 18 November 1997.
- ↑ "議員炮轟 中巴無藥可救" (District councillors slam CMB "unsaveable"), Ming Pao, 18 November 1997.
- ↑ "民主黨公布調查責港府畏首畏尾" (Democratic Party publishes survey, blames Hong Kong government for being timid), Sing Pao, 25 November 1997.
- ↑ "運輸局短期內向行會獻議 撤中巴專營權列主流方案" (Transport Bureau to present suggestion over CMB franchise, revocation of franchise became mainstream option), Ming Pao, 16 February 1998.
- ↑ "民主黨今遞交民意調查 促行會取消中巴專營權" (Democratic Party to submit survey to urge Executive Council to revoke CMB franchise), Ming Pao, 17 February 1998.
- ↑ Minutes of meeting of the Provisional Legislative Council Panel on Transport (Meeting on 21 February 1998) - PLC Paper No. CB(1)1307, Section 1.
- ↑ "2020年2月17日 香港開電視 日日有頭條：行政會議收回中巴專營權（1998年2月17日）" (17 Feb 2020 Hong Kong Open TV Daily Headlines: CMB's Franchise revoked by the Executive Council (17 February 1998)), posted on YouTube.
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 67.3 67.4 67.5 67.6 "中巴喪失專營權" (CMB lost its franchise), Ming Pao, 18 February 1998
- ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 "認為改善服務建議始終欠缺誠意 行政會議終止中巴專營權 現行11條路線將取消13條路線由城巴取代"(Considered that the service improvement proposals were insincere: The Executive Council terminated the franchise of CMB; 11 current routes will be cancelled and 13 routes to be replaced by Citybus), Ta Kung Pao, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 "中巴專營權九月終止 88線將公開競投" (CMB franchise to end in September, 88 routes to be put up for public tender), Sing Pao, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "中巴被政府終止專營權 八十八巴士路線即日公開招標" (CMB's franchise terminated by Government, 88 bus routes to be put out to tender soon), Tin Tin Daily News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 71.0 71.1 71.2 "中巴專營權九月終止 88線將公開競投" (CMB franchise to end in September, 88 routes to be placed on tender), Sing Pao, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 72.3 72.4 72.5 72.6 72.7 "中巴專營權「壽終」 88條路綫招標 九月生效" ("End of life" for CMB franchise; 88 routes tendered to take effect in September), Sing Tao Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "中巴專營權檢討" ("CMB Franchise Review"), Hong Kong Government Press Release, 17 February 1998.
- ↑ 74.0 74.1 74.2 74.3 74.4 "政府決取消中巴專營權 中巴88條路綫即公開競投 吳榮奎強調當局有應變措施" (Gov't cancels CMB franchise, 88 CMB routes placed on open tender; Nicholas Ng: Contingency measures ready), Wen Wei Po, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 75.3 75.4 75.5 75.6 "中巴專營權不獲延續 八十八條路線公開招標" (CMB franchise extension refused, 88 routes on open tender), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 76.0 76.1 "中巴九月失專營權 政府即時刊憲 88路線公開競投" (CMB franchise to end on September; Gov't immediately placed 88 routes on tender through gazette), Express, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "中巴65年專營權告終 無誠意改善服務 港府拒絕再等" (CMB's 65-year franchise ends: No sincerity on service improvement, Gov't refused to wait and negotiate), Oriental Daily News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 78.0 78.1 78.2 78.3 78.4 "政府決不再延中巴專營權 若需要有權租用車廠用地" (Gov't refused franchise extension of CMB, stated right to lease depot lands), HKET Financial News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 79.4 79.5 79.6 79.7 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedTKP19980218 - ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 80.3 80.4 "中巴專營權被取消 行政會議决定88條路綫公開競投" (CMB franchise cancelled: EC placed 88 routes on open tender), Hong Kong Daily News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "'前綫員工將獲優先聘用" (Ex-CMB frontline staff will be given priority in employment), Sing Tao Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 82.0 82.1 "當局要求新經營者優先聘用中巴員工" (Gov't demands new operator to employ CMB staff first), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "中巴現有二千多名員工 工會促新營辦商全聘用" (Labour unions urge new operator to fully employ all existing 2k CMB staff), Wen Wei Po, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named‘STD19980218’ - ↑ 85.0 85.1 "中巴將獲賠償 政府料收回香葉道車廠但未透露金額" (CMB to be granted compensation for Gov't acquiring of Heung Yip Road depot but no amount disclosed), Wen Wei Po.
- ↑ 86.0 86.1 86.2 "專營屆滿前 倘未能維持服務 港府可接管 或提早開放路綫" (Gov't may take over or open routes for bidding early if CMB failed to maintain services before end of franchise), Hong Kong Economic Times, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ 87.0 87.1 87.2 87.3 87.4 "政府中巴鬥法多年終了斷" (Abrupt end for long-year dispute between Gov't and CMB), HKET Economic News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 88.3 88.4 "政黨學者歡迎引入競爭 恐服務惡化冀即時接管" (Parties and academics welcome the introduction of competition, wished an immediate takeover due to fear of service deterioration), Sing Tao Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 89.0 89.1 89.2 〈政黨支持撤中巴專營權〉，《信報財經新聞》，1998年2月18日。
- ↑ 90.0 90.1 90.2 90.3 90.4 90.5 90.6 90.7 "市民冀獲高質素巴士服務：社會人士歡迎終止中巴專營權 認為對市民有利 希望新經營者妥善安排中巴員工" (Public demanded for high-quality bus services: Community welcomes termination of CMB's franchise, considers it beneficial to the public; hopes new operator will make proper arrangements for CMB staff), published to Wen Wei Po, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 91.0 91.1 91.2 "終止中巴專營權 多位議員表歡迎" (Multiple councilors welcomed termination of CMB Franchise), Tin Tin Daily News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "袁武冀政府加強監管中巴 對員工生計應予妥善解決" (Yuen Mo hoped more gov't monitoring on CMB and proper resolving on staff's livelihoods), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ "市民冀獲高質素巴士服務：港島四臨區會支持政府 稱引入競爭可改善服務" (Public wanted higher-quality bus services: 4 PDBs on HKI supported Gov't decision, claimed introducing competition can improve service), Wen Wei Po, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "九巴積極考慮競投 城巴穩奪十二路線" (KMB actively considering participating in tender, Citybus secured 12 routes), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "TD's response on bus franchise", Hong Kong Government Press Release, 9 March 1998.
- ↑ Citybus Limited, "Smooth Transition expected on 1 September take-over of CMB Routes by Citybus Further 120 buses and 360 drivers deployed" [News Release], 4 Aug 1998.
- ↑ 97.0 97.1 97.2 97.3 Subject to the time the route was taken over
- ↑ Special Announcement No. 1: Tender for the Franchise to Operate 59 Public Bus Services on Hong Kong Island and 29 Cross Harbour Tunnel Routes," HKSAR Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 1, 1998, 17 February 1998.
- ↑ "競投條件相若 「新手」將佔優" (Similar bidding conditions; 'newcomers' more prevailed), Sing Tao Daily, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ "標投中巴八十八路線 運輸署強調引入競爭" (Bid for 88 CMB routes: TD emphasised the introduction of competition), Ta Kung Pao, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ "兩日九機構索招標書 新營運者獲優先考慮" (9 organisations obtained tenders in 2 days; new operators to be prioritised), Sing Pao, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ "羅范椒芬稱將優先考慮新經營者" (Mrs Fanny Law says new operators to be prioritised), Wen Wei Pao, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ "新經營者獲優先考慮" (New operators to be prioritised), 19 February 1998.
- ↑ Minutes of meeting of the Provisional Legislative Council Panel on Transport, 21 February 1998.
- ↑ Survey: "60% agreed to end CMB's franchise", published to Ming Pao, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ 106.0 106.1 106.2 106.3 "九巴城巴有意競投路線 中巴表示還要研究細節" (KMB and Citybus interested in bidding CMB routes; CMB says will study the details of the bid), Sing Pao, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 107.0 107.1 107.2 107.3 107.4 “九巴城巴覬覦新路綫” (KMB and Citybus interested in new routes), Sing Tao Daily, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 108.0 108.1 108.2 108.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEJ19980218 - ↑ "港島巴士綫招標 九巴城巴均歡迎" (KMB and Citybus welcomed placing HKI bus routes on tender), Wen Wei Po.
- ↑ 110.0 110.1 "顏失天下 逐鹿中巴 兩巴表興趣 冠忠卻加入戰團" (KMB and Citybus interested in taking over CMB routes, Kwoon Chung joined battle), Express, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ 111.0 111.1 "九巴決爭中巴線" (KMB to strive for taking over CMB routes), Ming Pao, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ "城巴九巴見獵心喜 有意承投有關專營權" (CTB and KMB interested in bidding for CMB routes), Hong Kong Daily News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 113.0 113.1 "13公司擬競投88條巴士綫 下月中截止招標 四月批出新專營公司" (13 companies to bid for 88 bus routes: Tenders to close in mid-next month, new franchisees to be awarded in April), Wen Wei Po.
- ↑ 114.0 114.1 114.2 "新世界倘中標續聘員工 中信冠忠維修擁有優勢" (New World to continue employing current staff if won; Citic and Kwoon Chung in advantage on repair businesses), Sing Tao Daily, 20 February 1998.
- ↑ 115.0 115.1 "新世界持現金逾七十億 將投資約20億經營巴士" (New World holds over $7 billion in cash and invests about $2 billion in bus operations), HKET Financial News, 20 February 1998.
- ↑ "鄭家純：中巴路綫改善管理 可增利潤" (Henry Cheng: Improving management of CMB routes can increase profits), HKET, 20 February 1998.
- ↑ 117.0 117.1 117.2 "新世界倘獲經營 將投入資金20億" (New World to invest 2 billion on buses if granted right to operate), Ming Pao.
- ↑ 118.0 118.1 "大昌行及新世界發展加入競投中巴專營權" (DCH and New World Development to join bidding for CMB routes), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ 119.0 119.1 119.2 119.3 119.4 119.5 "兄長轄下公司欲投中巴線 妹雖任署長惟非甄選委會 運輸局強調無利益衝突" (Elder brother's company wants to bid for CMB routes, but sister not in selection committee despite being director; Transport Bureau stresses no conflict of interest), Sing Pao.
- ↑ 120.0 120.1 120.2 "中信夥冠忠 競奪中巴港島綫 新世界引外國夥伴 加入戰團" (Citic and Kwoon Chung formed consortium for bidding CMB's HKI routes; New World joined bidding in a consortium with foreign partners), Hong Kong Economic Times.
- ↑ 121.0 121.1 "九公司取中巴專營權標書 新世界中信城巴九巴競逐" (9 companies requested tender documents for CMB routes, New World, CITIC, CTB and KMB confident in bidding), HKET Financial News, 19 February 1998.
- ↑ 122.0 122.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMP19980219 - ↑ "港島巴士綫競投熱烈 再有四間公司索標書" (Bidding for Hong Kong Island bus routes heats up with four more companies requesting tenders), HKET Financial News, 20 February 1998.
- ↑ 124.0 124.1 "電車公司有意競投中巴線 加入逐鹿公司增至廿四" (Tram companies interested in bidding for CMB routes have increased the number of companies in the race to 24), Sing Tao Daily, 21 February 1998.
- ↑ "辰達研究標書內容" (Ananda Wing On studies the tender content), Ming Pao.
- ↑ "再有11公司競投中巴路線 包括電車恒生及顧問公司" (11 more companies participated in CMB route tender, including Tramways, Hang Seng Bank and consultants), Oriental Daily News, 21 February 1998.
- ↑ "世界兩大雙層巴士車廠之一 丹尼士擬競投中巴專營權" (Dennis Specialist Vehicles, one of the world's largest factory for double-deckers, to bid for CMB franchise), Ming Pao.
- ↑ "九公司擬競投中巴線 新世界中信泰富「外行」欲染指" (9 companies to bid for CMB routes, externals like New World, CITIC to join the industry", Oriental Daily News, 18 February 1998.
- ↑ 「四巴」、雅高及新世界入標 六財團競投中巴88條線, 13 March 1998, reposted by CMB Memorial Page.
- ↑ Provisional Legislative Council Brief: Public Bus Services Ordinance (Cap. 230) Granting of Franchises for the Operation of Public Bus Services on Hong Kong Island
- ↑ "兩獨立機構 四新組集團 六標書投港島88巴士線" (Two independent organisations, four new groups, six tenders for 88 bus routes on Hong Kong Island), Ming Pao, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 132.0 132.1 132.2 132.3 132.4 132.5 132.6 "六財團競投中巴88路線 四家專利巴士均有參與" (6 consortiums bidded for 88 CMB routes, 4 franchised bus companies participated), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 133.0 133.1 133.2 "六財團競投港島巴士專營權 長建夥中旅城巴北海成大熱" (6 consortiums bidded for CMB HKI bus franchise; CKI-CNT-Citybus partnership became hot topic), HKET Financial News, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 134.0 134.1 134.2 134.3 134.4 "六財團競投中巴路線 中巴夥英國公司入標欲收回失地" (6 consortiums made bid on CMB routes: CMB partnered with British company hoping to recover its loss), Express News, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 135.0 135.1 "經濟不景 公共事業理想投資" (Investments on public utilities under poor economy), Ming Pao, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 136.0 136.1 136.2 136.3 "擁獨立車隊優先用中巴員工 港巴有信心奪專營權" (HKUBC confident of winning the franchise with independent fleet and priority for CMB staff), Sing Tao Daily, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 137.0 137.1 "長建中旅北海城巴 合組港巴參加角逐 否認一旦中標會壟斷港港巴士線" (CKI-CTS-CNT-Citybus consortium-formed HKUBC to compete for the tender, denied monopolisation of HKI bus routes if won), Ta Kung Pao, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 138.0 138.1 "六財團競投港巴88條線 城巴長建聯營先聘中巴員工奪標聲高" (6 consortiums bidded for 88 HKI bus routes, CTB-CKI consortium high chance of winning for its prioritisation of CMB staff), Sing Pao, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ "長江城巴中旅北海合組「港巴」高調宣傳似志在必得" (High profile promotion for CKI-Citybus-CTS-CNT consortium-formed HKUBC), Wen Wei Po, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ 140.0 140.1 140.2 "六公司競投中巴88條線 城巴組鋼鐵陣容 中巴找拍檔入標" (6 companies bidded for CMB's 88 routes: Citybus formed steel formations, CMB bidded with partnerships), Oriental Daily News, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ "長建突加盟港 冲淡城巴角色?" (CKI suddenly joined HKUBC - weakening CTB's role?), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ "六財團爭專營88巴士線 城巴與長建中旅北海組聯合公司" (6 consortiums to bid for 88 bus routes; CTB, CTS, CNT and CKI formed joint company), Tin Tin Daily News, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ "六公司競投88條巴士綫 包括中巴九巴 城巴與長建中旅合作" (6 companies bidded for 88 bus routes, including CMB and KMB; CTB partnered with CKI and CTS), Hong Kong Daily News, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ Cheung Kong Infrastructure Group, "CKI forms joint venture group to compete for bus franchise [Press Release], 13 March 1998.
- ↑ 145.0 145.1 "「四巴」、雅高及新世界入標 六財團競投中巴88條線" (4 franchised bus companies, Argos Bus and New World bidded; a total of 6 consortiums bidded for 88 CMB routes), Sing Tao Daily, 14 March 1998.
- ↑ In view of the Citybus and NWFB Franchised Bus Network Merger, routes that are still in existence on that date were changed to be operated by Citybus (whereas to be jointly operated by Citybus and KMB for jointly-operated routes).
- ↑ The Route 15X providing service as of today was the 2nd generation.
- ↑ Some bus fans said that service was provided by NWFB after taking over from CMB: HKiTalk：歷史問題：港島區特別路線86...... (Historical question: HK Island Special Route 86……), but the news releases of NWFB did not contain route information of this route: NWFB News Archive: NWFB Special routes on Lunar New Year’s eve (archived on archive.org)
- ↑ 149.0 149.1 149.2 新世界奪港巴專營權 九一生效 為期五年 首年維持現票價不變 (New World granted Hong Kong Island bus franchise, will take effect on 1 September for five years, with no change to existing fares in the first year), Ta Kung Pao, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ 150.0 150.1 HKSARG, "Grant of a new bus franchise to New World" [Press Release], 31 March 1998.
- ↑ 151.0 151.1 151.2 151.3 151.4 "新世界奪中巴88條線 允聘全部現職員工 維持票價一年不變" (New World won franchise for 88 CMB routes: Promised to employ all existing staff, no change of fare for a year), Sing Tao Daily, 1 April 1998. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "STD19980401" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 152.0 152.1 152.2 152.3 為港島88線投資廿億添五百新車 新世界配英資奪專營權 (2 billion for 88 routes on Hong Kong Island and 500 new vehicles； New World and British company got the franchise), Sing Pao, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ 新世界奪中巴專營權 承諾首年不加價 添置500新冷氣車 (New World wins CMB franchise, pledges no fare increase in first year, buys 500 new air-conditioned vehicles), Ming Pao, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ 新世界奪中巴88條綫專營權 保證聘用現有二千三員工 (New World secures franchise for 88 CMB routes, guarantees employment of existing 2,300 staff), Wen Wei Po, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ "新世界奪中巴專營權 凍結票價一年 續聘全數員工" (New World won franchise for CMB routes, to freeze fares for a year and employ existing staff), Oriental Daily News, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ "新世界奪88條巴士綫 巨額投資20億·帶來最大競爭" (New World won 88 routes, highest competition ever with 2 billion HKD investment), Hong Kong Economic Times, 1 April 1998
- ↑ 157.0 157.1 鄭家純喜接通知書 羅范椒芬讚新世界有創意具遠見 (Henry Cheng delighted to receive tender notice; Fanny Law praises New World's creativity and foresight), Ta Kung Pao, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ 第一巴士：務令新巴班次準 意外減 (First Bus: Striving for more accurate headways and less accidents), Hong Kong Economic Times, 1 April 1998.
- ↑ L.N. 284 of 1998 : Public Bus Services Ordinance - Resolution of the Legislative Council, Legal Supplement No. 30, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Gazette, 22 July 1998
- ↑ 160.0 160.1 Gearing up for CMB franchise changeover in final countdown, Government Press Release, 21 August 1998
- ↑ 文匯報：新巴三億三購中巴部分資產 (Wen Wei Po: NWFB acquires some CMB assets for HK$330k), 5 Aug 1998, reposted by CMB Memorial Page.
- ↑ [新聞](1998)中巴新巴達成交接協議 ([News](1998) CMB and NWFB reached handover agreements), YouTube
- ↑ 運輸署開學日做足準備 三百巴士候命應急 (Transport Department prepares for school opening day with 300 buses on standby for contingencies), Ming Pao, 22 Aug 1998.
- ↑ 協調中心備多項應變措施 監察兩巴交接運作情況 確保市民不影響 (Co-ordination Centre prepared contingency measures to monitor the operation of the handover, ensuring that the public is not affected), Wen Wei Po, 31 August 1998.
- ↑ 的士團體隨時提供協助 (Taxi groups to provide assistance anytime), Wen Wei Po, 31 August 1998.
- ↑ "中巴刊登啟事 感謝乘客支持" (CMB published announcement thanking passengers' support), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 1 September 1998 (reposted to China Motor Bus Memorial Page)
- ↑ [電視節目] 剎那時空 - 送舊迎新 (07/09/1998), YouTube, see section 10:38-10:45
- ↑ 夜雨揮別 交接逢開學日 新巴受十萬學生考驗第一班車 (Rainy farewell: handover coincides with school opening day as NWFB is tested by 100,000 students on its first bus), Apple Daily, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ 169.0 169.1 169.2 兩巴順利交接 頭班新車載9客 新巴出師不利撞油車 (Smooth handover of the two bus companies; first new NWFB bus carried nine passengers; another NWFB bus crashed into a fuel truck), Oriental Daily News, 1 September 1998
- ↑ "洗車入油換錢箱 貼上黃色新標誌 中巴回廠維修大變身" (Washing the vehicle and replacing the money box, putting a new yellow logo on buses: CMB buses returned to the depot, transforming into NWFB after maintenance), Sing Pao, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ "New World order hits soggy streets", South China Morning Post, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ 172.0 172.1 "新巴首班車客滿 為免乘客久候許雄決定提前五分鐘出車" (First bus of NWFB fully loaded; Adolf Hsu decided to advance the departure by 5 minutes to not let passengers waiting for so long), Ta Kung Pao, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ [珍貴電視節目](7-9-1998)剎那時空(送舊迎新) ((7-9-1998) A Moment in Time (Sending Out the Old and Welcoming In the New)), YouTube, see video clip 17:03-18:52.
- ↑ [紀錄片]剎那時空 - 送舊迎新 (第二節) (7/9/1998) (A Moment in Time (Sending Out the Old and Welcoming In the New) (2nd part), YouTube, see clip 5:28-7:18.
- ↑ 175.0 175.1 黃竹坑車廠準時交新巴 地政專員今晨零時與新巴簽署新約 (Wong Chuk Hang depot handed over to NWFB on time; Lands Commissioner signs new contract with NWFB at 00:00 this morning), Ta Kung Pao, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ 午夜交接順利完成 中華巴士駛入歷史 新巴今晨接棒投入服務 (Midnight Handover Successful: CMB steps into history, NWFB enters service from this early morning onwards), Sing Pao, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ 177.0 177.1 中巴服務六十載終退役 新巴接辦首班開出巴士 (CMB leaves bus services after 60 years of service, NWFB takes over with its first trip), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ China Motor Bus Company Limited, "Special Notice Routes 10, 11A and 38A Passengers" [Passenger Notice], 25 August 1998. (Published to CMB Memorial Page)
- ↑ China Motor Bus Company Limited, "站長重要通告 凌晨特別車務安排" (Important notice from the Regulator: Special service arrangements during midnight) [Staff Notice], 31 August 1998. (Published to hkitalk.net)
- ↑ 港巴交接務求不出亂子 中巴的服務較預期提早在昨日午夜前結束 (Hong Kong Island bus handover to be trouble-free； CMB service ended earlier than expected by midnight yesterday), Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 1998 31 August; reproduced by the CMB Memorial Page
- ↑ [亞視新聞](1998)新巴中巴交接前夕 ([ATV News](1998) Before the handover of CMB and NWFB), YouTube
- ↑ 新巴中巴凌晨順利交接 新巴零時十分開出首班車 (Handover of NWFB and CMB successful: NWFB debuts its first bus at 12:10am), Wen Wei Po, 1 September 1998.
- ↑ According to a interview of the driver by the reporter from programme Focus on Focus (城市追擊), the bus should depart at 23:56 but was delayed due to press interviews.
- ↑ 184.0 184.1 [新聞]城市追擊(新巴接手代中巴) ([News] Focus on Focus (NWFB takes over CMB operations)), YouTube
- ↑ "行完新巴展服務 交接順利 車廠車隊易手" (NWFB begins service: handover successful, depots and fleets transferred), Hong Kong Daily News, 1 Sep 1998.
- ↑ [新聞]新巴首日投入服務 (1/9/1998) ([News] NWFB's first day of operation), YouTube
Related articles[]
Notes and References[]
External Links[]
- 《中新交接》(CMB-NWFB Operations Handover)－Full press cuttings for the period between the loss of CMB's franchise and the taking over of NWFB, 960 Express (Chinese only)
Template:BusRouteList Navbox