The New Territories Bus Route 43B is operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB). It runs between Tsing Yi (Cheung Ching Estate) and Tsuen Wan West Station, via Cheung Hong Estate, Tsing Yi Ferry, Tsing Yi Estate and Cheung On Estate.
Route 43B heads directly to the area around MTR Tsuen Wan Station after Tsing Tsuen Bridge via Texaco Road Flyover.
History[]
Commencing background[]
In view of the circuitous route of KMB Route 43, KMB proposed as early as the 1983-1985 Bus Route Development Programme to introduce Route 43B via Tsuen Wan Bypass, providing direct connections between Tsing Yi South and Tsuen Wan during peak hours. However, the proposal came to nothing.
In the 1987-1988 Bus Route Development Programme, KMB proposed introducing the all-day service Route 43X, similar to the original Route 43B. However, the Transport Department recommended rerouting it via Tsing Tsuen Bridge and renumbering it as Route 43B, with the Tsing Yi terminus relocated to Cheung Ching.
Route change history[]
- 15 February 1988: Route 43B entered service, running between Cheung Ching and Tsuen Wan Ferry.[1][2]
- TBC: No longer detoured via Ching Hong Road off Mayfair Gardens for Tsuen Wan direction.
- 6 December 1991: Rerouted via Luen Yan Street in lieu of Kwu Hang Road for Cheung Ching direction.
- 23 January 1995: With the opening of the flyover connecting Tsing Tsuen Road and Texaco Road, the Tsuen Wan-bound journeys were rerouted via there in lieu of the roundabout beneath it.
- 6 February 1995: Detoured via Tsing Yi Ferry Bus Terminus for both directions.
- 26 October 2003: Tsuen Wan terminus was relocated to Tsuen Wan West Station.[3]
- 20 December 2003: Octopus interchange concessions with KCR West Rail (now part of MTR Tuen Ma Line) were introduced following its opening, in which passengers could enjoy $1.0 fare discount when interchanging between this route and the West Rail. The interchange concession has been cancelled since 1 June 2005.[4]
- 2 October 2004: Air-conditioned bus service was introduced with a new section fare from Cheung On Bus Terminus to Cheung Ching introduced simultaneously.[5]
- 1 July 2011: Air-conditioned service was enhanced.[6]
- 11 September 2011: Upgraded to a full air-conditioned service.[7]
- 27 June 2015: Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) enquiry service was introduced to this route.[8]
- 19 December 2022: Rerouted via Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan for both directions and no longer served Sha Tsui Road:[9][10]
- For journeys towards Tsuen Wan West Station, the stops at "Sheung Chui Court", "Bo Shek Mansion" and "Lady Trench Polyclinic" on Sha Tsui Road were cancelled and were replaced by stops at "Chung On Street Tsuen Wan" on Castle Peak Road and "Tai Ho Road" on Tai Ho Road;
- For journeys towards Tsing Yi (Cheung Ching Estate), the stops at "Ham Tin Street Tsuen Wan" on Sha Tsui Road, "Luen Yan Street Tsuen Wan" on Luen Yan Street and "Wang Wo Tsai Street Tsuen Wan" on Yeung Uk Road were cancelled and replaced by stops on "Tai Ho Road" on Tai Ho Road, "Chung On Street Tsuen Wan" and "Tai Wo Hau Station" on Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan.
- 1 October 2025: Interchange concessions with routes 57M, 58M, 59A, 61M, 67A, 67M, 69M, 260C, 265M, 265P, 269M and 269P were introduced.
Historical route information[]
Details of the past service hours and headways, fares and other route information of this route are set out in the "Historical route information" sub-page of this article.
Service hours and headways[]
The latest update is on 3/2025, see here for the referenced link
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- This route provides Estimated Time of Arrival enquiry Service.
Fares[]
| Journey/boarding stop | Air-conditioned fare |
|---|---|
| Full fare | $5.4 |
| Section fares (to Cheung Ching) | |
| From Tsing Yi BBI - Cheung On Bus Terminus | $5.1 |
| Fare Remarks |
|---|
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Bus-Bus Interchange Concessions[]
Passengers using the same Octopus card to interchange to the designated route after this route within a specific time, or transfer from the designated route to this route can enjoy an interchange concession. The details are as follows: (Half discount for children and senior citizens.) Template:KMB Route 43B Interchange Concession Scheme
LWB Airbus, AsiaWorld-Expo Special Routes and KMB Interchange Concession Scheme[]
| LWB Airport Routes, AsiaWorld-Expo Special Routes and KMB Interchange Concession Scheme | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st leg | Direction | 2nd leg | Direction | Discount for 2nd leg | Time limit |
| X33, X36, X40, X43, X47 | To Urban | KMB solely-operated routes | Unlimited | Positive difference between the fare payable for the 2nd leg minus the fare paid for the 1st leg Free if the difference is in negative number |
150mins |
| A30, A31, A32, A33, A33X, A34, A36, A37, A38, A41, A41P, A42, A43, A43P *, A46, A47X | 120mins | ||||
| KMB Solely-operated routes | Any | A30, A31, A32, A33, A33X, A34, A36, A37, A38, A41, A41P, A42, A43, A43P *, A46, A47X | to Airport | ||
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Note:
＊: For interchanging from KMB Route B1 (Tin Tsz direction) to LWB Route A43P ( Airport direction), the actual fare paid for the first journey will be refunded for the next journey, except that the interchange concession cannot be enjoyed for the first journey of Route B1, otherwise, only the normal (i.e. maximum $6.0) interchange concession will be offered; for interchange from LWB Route A43P (Luen Wo Hui direction) to KMB Route B1 (Lok Ma Chau direction), passengers will be offered a free interchange concession for the second journey, but no interchange discount will be offered for the first journey of route A43P and no other interchange concession will be offered for route B1 thereafter. This special concession is not applicable to other LWB A routes (including Routes A36, A37 and A43). | |||||
Bus deployments[]
A total of 8 double-decker buses are assigned to this route as scheduled buses with the following model allocation:
- 2 Enviro500 12m (ATEE)
- 6 Volvo B9TL 12m (AVBWU)
Buses may be dispatched away to Route X42C.
| List of buses on Route 43B | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fleet no. | Plate no. | Depot |
| ATEE20 | RX3315 | Lai Chi Kok Depot (Tsing Yi Sub-depot) (L) |
| ATEE40 | PZ2686 | |
| AVBWU197 | PZ8722 | |
| AVBWU224 | RD9733 | |
| AVBWU266 | RJ6026 | |
| AVBWU391 | TE7452 | |
| AVBWU397 | TF8201 | |
| AVBWU411 | TK9428 | |
The above list of scheduled buses are as of April 2025, forwarded from hk2007.buscess website (Chinese only). The above buses might not be listed according to running orders.
The related content is for reference only and will be updated according to fleet changes (check update list). To check scheduled bus changes, refer to detailed information on hk2007.buscess website.2425
Bus deployment evolution history[]
| Bus deployment evolution history of KMB Route 43B |
|---|
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Route 43B commenced operations with Leyland Olympian 12m (3BL) and Dennis Dragon 12m (3N) buses. Entering the 21st century, these models were retired and replaced by their 11-metre counterparts (S3BL, S3N). On 2 October 2004, air-conditioned buses were introduced to this route for the first time, with Dennis Dragon 11m (AD) and Volvo Super Olympian 12m (3ASV) low-floor buses deployed. Until the full air-conditioning rollout in 2011, the route retained three non-air-conditioned Dennis Dragon 11m buses (including S3N279/FX7994, S3N298/FY2350 and S3N314/FY6490). Following their retirement early that year, the running orders remained vacant for a period. On 1 July of the same year, air-conditioned bus services were enhanced, replacing some of the retired non-air-conditioned buses. Only one Volvo Olympian 11m bus (S3V9/GK3895) remained in service. On 19 September that year, the route transitioned to full air-conditioned service, operated by Dennis Dragon 11m (AD), Volvo Olympian 12m (3AV) and Dennis Trident 12m (ATR) double-deck air-conditioned buses. Following the full air-conditioning upgrade, the route operated entirely with 12-metre buses from 2012 to 2014. Non-low-floor vehicles were initially Volvo Olympian 12m (3AV), later replaced by Dennis Dragon 12m (3AD). Low-floor services were initially operated by Volvo B9TL 12m (AVBW), but following fleet reallocations, these were replaced by the original Dennis Trident 12m buses (ATR). From 2014, the entire route reverted to using Volvo Super Olympian 12m buses (3ASV), marking the route's full transition to low-floor operation. However, the following year saw the reintroduction of Volvo Olympian 11m (AV) non-low-floor buses, while low-floor services were entirely reassigned to Enviro500 12m (ATE). In 2016, the entire route transitioned to Enviro500 (ATE) buses. These were joined in June 2021 by the same model (ATEU) previously operated by Long Win Bus. with the former withdrawn again in August that year. In October, buses of the same model formerly belonging to Long Win Bus, fitted with Euro V engines (ATEE, reintroduced in April 2025), were added to replace the Volvo Olympian, restoring low-floor and straight-ramp operation across the entire route. From September that year, this route was authorised to be operated by Enviro500 MMC 12.8m buses (3ATENU, since withdrawn) whilst simultaneously introducing them as registered vehicles; however, this change was reversed by September the following year. In May 2020, two former LWB Enviro500 MMC 12m double-deckers (95XX, reintroduced in January 2022 as standard models before being withdrawn again two years later) joined the route. However, these vehicles remained in depot on holidays due to sufficient fleet availability, meaning the route was primarily served by its original registered vehicles during most holiday periods. In August of the same year, Volvo B9TL 12m buses (AVBWU, gradually reintroduced from March 2024) were added to the route. The following February, following the implementation of the eDoo electronic payment system on other routes, Volvo B9TL buses (AVBE, reintroduced in February 2022) were deployed. In October 2022, Scania K310UD 12m buses (ASU, now fully withdrawn) replaced all Volvo B9TL 12m (AVBE) and Enviro500 buses. |
Routing[]
To Tsuen Wan West Station[]
To Tsuen Wan West Station: The distance of this route is approx. 9.8km, and the journey time is approximately 44mins. (The average speed is 13.4km/h.)
Via: Ching Hong Road, Chung Mei Road, Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road, Fung Shue Wo Road, Tsing Yi Ferry Bus Terminus, Fung Shue Wo Road, Tam Kon Shan Interchange, Tsing King Road, Cheung On Bus Terminus, Tam Kon Shan Road, Tam Kon Shan Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Texaco Road, Texaco Road Flyover, Texaco Road North, Shing Mun Road, Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan and Tai Ho Road
To Tsing Yi (Cheung Ching Estate)[]
To Cheung Ching: The distance of this route is approx. 9.5km, and the journey time is approximately 44mins. (The average speed is 13km/h.)
Via: Tai Ho Road, Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan, slip road, Kwok Shui Road, Texaco Road Flyover, Texaco Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tam Kon Shan Interchange, Tsing King Road, Cheung On Bus Terminus, Tam Kon Shan Road, Tam Kon Shan Interchange, Fung Shue Wo Road, Tsing Yi Ferry Bus Terminus, Fung Shue Wo Road, Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road, Chung Mei Road and Ching Hong Road
Ridership[]
According to the Bus Route Planning Programmes and other information, the ridership of this route is as follows:
- 2020: The occupancy rate during the peakiest hour was 60%.[11]
- 2022: The occupancy rate during the peakiest hour was 51%.
- 2023: The occupancy rate during the peakiest hour was 60%.[12]
Controversies[]
In the past, Route 43B overlapped with routes such as 243M and Tsing Yi District Council members have repeatedly called for a reorganisation of the route to provide faster bus services between Tsing Yi South and Tsuen Wan Town Centre. In 2021, then Kwai Tsing District Councillor Warren Tam submitted a proposal suggesting Route 43B be rerouted via Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan. This would bypass the occasionally congested Tsuen Tsing Interchange and facilitate connections to MTR Tsuen Wan Station.[13]
This proposal was included in the 2022-2023 Bus Route Planning Programme and subsequently implemented. However, following the rerouting, passengers travelling between Tsing Yi and Sha Tsui Road increasingly opted for Route 243M, which overlaps significantly with the Tsing Yi section of the original route. This has resulted in frequent overcrowding on Route 243M, with passengers unable to board during peak hours. District councillors consequently moved a motion demanding the restoration of the route via Sha Tsui Road. However, local organisations revealed that one of the co-proposers, Leung Kar-ming, had supported the 43B route diversion plan last year, prompting criticism of his inconsistent stance. Leung countered that his previous opposition to the 43B diversion had been unsuccessful, accusing the Transport Department of acting unilaterally. The Transport Department maintained that the new route expanded coverage and reduced traffic flow on Sha Tsui Road, expressing reservations about restoring the original route.[14][15] KMB also noted that passenger volumes on both routes had stabilised. The motion farce concluded after discussion at the Kwai Tsing District Council meeting, with councillors withdrawing the motion, which was subsequently passed without opposition.[16]
Related events/incidents[]
Traffic accidents[]
- 22 August 2007: Shortly before midnight, a Dennis Dragon 11m non-air-conditioned bus (S3N330/FZ7219) travelling towards Tsuen Wan West Station was struck from behind by a speeding private car that lost control while turning left from Chung Mei Road onto Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road. One person in the private car died and another was injured.[17][18]
- 14 February 2012: At approximately 2:00 pm, a Volvo Olympian 12m (3AV) travelling towards Cheung Ching knocked down a woman on Sha Tsui Road, who was seriously injured and hospitalised.[19]
- 22 May 2014: At approximately 1:00 pm, a Volvo Super Olympian 12m (3ASV338/KM7093) lost control before entering the Tsuen Wan West Station Public Transport Interchange, mounting a roadside flower bed and sustaining front-end damage.[20]
Passenger incidents[]
- 4 October 2022: At approximately 5:00 pm, an individual suspected to be a bus enthusiast displayed a black-and-white plastic sign bearing the destination name "Cheung Ching" in reverse direction on the front windscreen of the upper deck of an Enviro500 12m bus (ATE216/LS996) travelling towards Tsuen Wan West Station, sparking controversy. The individual claiming responsibility for displaying the plastic sign issued an apology via an online discussion forum that same evening.[21]
Gallery[]
Remarks[]
Related articles[]
- KMB Route 41M
- KMB Route 41P (Cancelled)
- KMB Route 43
- KMB Route 49A
- KMB Route 243M
- KMB Route 243P
References[]
- ↑ "九巴配合青荃橋啟用 增闢四一M四三B線 來往青衣荃灣增服務" (KMB launches Routes 41M and 43B to enhance service between Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 12 February 1988.
- ↑ "九龍汽車（一九三三）有限公司通告"(Notice from Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd.), Wah Kiu Yat Po, 13 February 1988.
- ↑ Transport Department HKSARG, "西鐵Tsuen Wan West站公共運輸交匯處啟用" (Opening of WR Tsuen Wan West Station Public Transport Interchange) [Traffic Advice].
- ↑ Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Limited, "為西鐵乘客提供貼心優惠" (Chinese only) [News Release], 27 May 2005.
- ↑ The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, "九巴加強荃灣及葵青區空調巴士服務" (Chinese only) [News Release], 30 September 2004.
- ↑ The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, "KMB Strengthens Air-conditioned Bus Services in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Districts" [News Release], 29 June 2011.
- ↑ The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, "KMB Provides Full Air-conditioned Bus Service on Route 43B" [News Release], 6 September 2011.
- ↑ The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, "146 Additional Routes Provided with “Estimated Time of Arrival” – More than half of KMB & LWB routes" [News Release], 26 June 2015.
- ↑ The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, "43B Reroute via Castle Peak Road – Tsuen Wan on both bounds" [Promotion Leaflet].
- ↑ Transport Department HKSARG, "Service Adjustments of KMB Route No. 43B" [Traffic Advice], 15 December 2022.
- ↑ "Bus Route Programme 2020-2021 for Kwai Tsing District (Reply from TD)" (Chinese only), KTDC(TTC) Paper No. 2q/D/2020.
- ↑ "Bus Route Programme 2023-2024 for Kwai Tsing District (Reply from TD)" (Chinese only), KTDC(TTC) Paper No. 5h/D/2023.
- ↑ Warren Tam, Kwai Tsing District Councillor, "Suggestions for Bus Route Programme 2021-2022 for Kwai Tsing District", KTDC(TTC) Paper No. 22c/D/2021.
- ↑ "Motion: Request to Restore 43B to its Original Route and Add an Express Route Travelling to and from Southwest Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan" (Chinese only), KTDC(TTC) Paper No. 3/D/2023.
- ↑ "Motion: Request to Restore 43B to its Original Route and Add an Express Route Travelling to and from Southwest Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan (Reply from TD)", KTDC(TTC) Paper No. 3b/D/2023, February 2023.
- ↑ "九巴43B改道致243M迫爆 建制派區會動議還原惟表決前撤回", inmedia, 17 February 2023.
- ↑ "房車撼巴士司機爆頭死" (Driver died after private car crashes with bus), Oriental Daily News, 23 August 2007.
- ↑ "房車插九巴尾一死一傷" (1 died and 1 injured after private car struck a bus), Apple Daily, 23 August 2007.
- ↑ "婦遭九巴輾腳恐永久傷殘" (Fears for woman rolled over by bus to be paralysed permanently), Oriental Daily News, 15 February 2012.
- ↑ 九巴擒上花糟 (KMB bus slammed onto flower bed), hkitalk.net.
- ↑ 有疑似不良巴士迷在 43B 上展示相反方向目的地膠牌, hkitalk.net.
External links[]
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| Remark: (#) MTR Sunny Bay Station, Penny's Bay (Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Bus Terminus) and Ma Wan are all located in Tsuen Wan District, please read the Boundary Maps of District Council Constituency Areas for reference. Italic - service during specified days/periods only; → - Outbound service only; ← - Inbound service only | |||||||||||||||||||