Three-day Seminar on Non-franchised Bus Service Begins

A three-day seminar on non-franchised service, the first of its kind in Hong Kong in a bid to promote driving safety and enhance the quality service of non-franchised buses, began today (October 28).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seminar at the Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Productivity Council Building, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, said: " Through the seminar, we hope to further enhance partnership with the non-franchsied bus industry, and to help it develop and perform its role in the public transport system"

The seminar covered topics of interest to the industry, including law enforcement, tourism development, and road safety.

In view of the upsurge in demand for public transport service, Mr Footman said the non-franchised bus industry needed to further enhance its quality of services to meet the expectations in line with the continued development of Hong Kong.

About 6 300 non-franchised licensed buses are operated by 1 300 operators.

To further enhance the non-franchised bus services, the Transport Department has published "The Non-franchised Bus Bulletin" to provide another platform for members to get information and to exchange opinion.

Free copies of the bulletin can be obtained from licensing offices, tunnel and parking offices, district offices and related organizations.

Mr Footman also thanked Mr Aaron Yeung, Chairman of the Public Omnibus Operators Association, the Institute of Advanced Motorist Hong Kong, the Police, and the Tourism Board for their assistance in organising the seminar.

End/Monday, October 28, 2002