Public views on bus window advertising sought

Members of the public are invited to express their views to the Transport Department upon a bus window advertising trial scheme which will begin tomorrow (July 1).

With the introduction of the six-month trial scheme, franchised bus companies are allowed to display see-through advertisements on the upper deck side windows of double-decked buses.

A Transport Department spokesman said that the trial would enable bus companies to exercise more creativity in bus advertising, while generating an additional source of revenue to alleviate fare rise pressures.

A maximum of 50 buses from each bus company are allowed to join the trial.

"Since road safety, enforcement and the acceptance of passengers remain our prime concern, strict requirements are imposed for putting up the advertisements," added the spokesman.

Advertisements made of see-through material are allowed to cover up no more than 20% of the total upper deck side window area, and are limited to the rear half of the upper deck.

"Opaque, translucent or fluorescent advertisements are not permitted as they might affect passengers or other road users," said the spokesman.

Both the Transport Department and bus companies concerned will monitor the trial closely.

Public opinions on the bus window advertising delivered to either the department or the bus companies will be taken into account when the department reviews the trial six months later to decide whether such advertising should continue to be allowed.

End/Friday, June 30, 2000

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