Applications for operating bus routes invited

Transport Department today (May 28) invites applications from the franchised bus operators to operate a package of bus routes in the West Kowloon Reclamation.

The successful applicants will be required to provide service progressively from the first quarter of 2003 to tie in with the population intake in this development area.

The route package includes five routes requiring about 50 buses by 2005.

A spokesman for the department said that in designing the route package, consideration has been given to population growth in the area, the availability of public transport service in the area, the opening of new railways, the viability of the package, the traffic conditions in Hong Kong's roads, and the need to promote efficient use of resources and to enhance co-ordination among different transport modes.

"In assessing the applications," he said, "we will take into account the level of service to be provided, management capability of the applicant, efficiency in using resources and the level of competition that would be brought to the provision of bus services in the area.

"Given the limited size of the route package, the invitation is offered to the existing franchised bus operators," he added.

The deadline for submission of applications is 12 noon on June 18, 2002.

The applications will be examined by a Selection Board comprising representatives from Transport Department, Home Affairs Department, Highways Department, Labour Department, Independent Commission Against Corruption and Department of Justice, which will submit its recommendations to the Commissioner for Transport. Transport Department plans to make known the selection result by about the end of the year.

End/Tuesday, May 28, 2002