Applications invited for 8 green minibus routes

The Transport Department invites applications for the operation of eight green minibus (GMB) routes in Kowloon and the New Territories.

Applications must be made on the appropriate application form "Application for Passenger Service Licence in Respect of the Packages of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Routes Gazetted in April 2005" obtainable free of charge from the following offices from today (April 22):

(a) Transport Department Headquarters, 41/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong;

(b) Transport Department New Territories Regional Office, 7/F, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Kowloon;

(c) The following Transport Department licensing branch offices:

(i) Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong;

(ii) Kowloon Licensing Office, 2/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon;

(iii) Kwun Tong Licensing Office, 5/F, Kowloon East Government Offices, 12 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kowloon;

(iv) Sha Tin Licensing Office, 2/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, New Territories.

Details of the routes and 'Guidance Notes for Tenderers' will be provided to assist applicants to complete the application form, which must be enclosed in a plain white envelope sealed and marked with 'Application for Passenger Service Licence in Respect of the Packages of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Routes Gazetted in April 2005' and placed in the Tender Box at the reception counter of the Transport Department Headquarters at 41/F Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, before 12 noon on May 20 (Friday).

A briefing session will be held at 3pm on May 4 (Wednesday) at Room 4110B in the department's headquarters for prospective applicants.

A selection board comprising representatives of the Transport Advisory Committee, the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, the Home Affairs Department and the Transport Department, with an observer from the Independent Commission Against Corruption, will select the applicants according to the established selection criteria and assessment factors set by the board.

The assessment factors includes applicant's management capability, including experience in the public light bus trade or other public transport services, percentage of the required fleet owned by the applicant, provision of recognised training courses to drivers and vehicle replacement plan; quality of vehicles including their age, examination records, use of environmentally friendly vehicles, facilities for people with disabilities and safety features; financial resources of the applicant; provision of customer services and facilities; whether the applicant is a new entrant to the GMB trade, and the fare proposed.

Ends/Friday, April 22, 2005