Hong Kong authorities could cut cross-harbour bus services next month as passengers switch to Sha Tin to Central MTR link
- Franchised cross-harbour buses have lost 20,000 passengers a day since opening of MTR extension, says Assistant Commissioner for Transport Honson Yuen
- Transport Department spokeswoman says average loss in daily patronage for bus routes using Cross-Harbour Tunnel is about 10 per cent
Hong Kong’s franchised bus operators are facing another hit from the recent launch of the East Rail line cross-harbour extension after officials revealed the Transport Department is considering reducing their services in phases from next month.
Assistant Commissioner for Transport Honson Yuen Hong-shing told lawmakers on Friday that franchised buses had lost 20,000 passengers a day and suffered a drop in ridership up to 50 per cent since the cross-harbour section of the HK$90.7 billion (US$11.55 billion) Sha Tin to Central rail link opened on May 15. A department spokeswoman later added that the average loss in daily patronage for bus routes using the Cross-Harbour Tunnel was about 10 per cent.
“For example, the ridership on the special departures of route 104 has dropped from over 70 per cent to about 20 per cent after the opening of the East Rail line cross-harbour extension,” Yuen told a Legislative Council subcommittee meeting on railway affairs.
“The Transport Department will consider adjusting the special departures from the Cross-Harbour Tunnel toll plaza to Hong Kong Island in phases within about a month after the opening of this cross-harbour rail section, subject to actual passenger demand.”
