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Transport and logistics
Hong KongTransport

As losses pile up, owner of Hong Kong’s Citybus, New World First Bus urges overhaul of system for adjusting fares

  • Franchised bus operator calls for MTR-style open, transparent system of annual fare reviews
  • Two rounds of fare increases will not be enough to make up for massive losses, says operator

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William Chung, vice-chairman of Bravo Transport Services, has called for changes to the way bus fares are adjusted. Photo: Felix Wong
Cannix Yau
One of Hong Kong’s largest bus companies wants the government to fix its system of approving fare adjustments for franchised bus services, saying operators are suffering huge losses in the ongoing economic slump brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
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The system is flawed because it is opaque, drawn out and unpredictable, said William Chung Chak-man, vice-chairman of Bravo Transport Services, the new company which runs Citybus and New World First Bus.

Despite getting approval for two rounds of fare increases, his company is making massive losses and is likely to seek yet another fare rise.

“We are just a commercial entity, not running a social welfare organisation. We can’t afford to keep doing a non-profitable business,” he said in an interview with the Post.

He called for an overhaul of the fare adjustment mechanism for franchised buses, to make it similar to the process that allows rail operator MTR Corporation an automatic yearly review through a simple, transparent regime.
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The government has already approved two rounds of fare increases for City Bus and New World First Bus. Photo: May Tse
The government has already approved two rounds of fare increases for City Bus and New World First Bus. Photo: May Tse

However, a spokeswoman for the Transport Bureau told the Post that any changes to the fare adjustment mechanism for franchised buses would have to be handled carefully.

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