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Winona Cheung

Hundreds of Hong Kong bus fans gathered to say goodbye to New World First Bus on Friday as it merged with sister company Citybus.
The combined operation, carrying the Citybus name, takes effect on Saturday and ends the separate franchises.
The change was designed to reflect the ownership of both companies by Bravo Transport Services and Citybus has carried out a revamp of its livery and logo to commemorate the merge.

The new bus livery, voted for by the public and staff, retains the traditional yellow used for more than 40 years, with blue and red as contrast at the rear. The new look will be gradually applied to the fleet through a repainting programme.
A new Citybus logo – in light blue and yellow – was launched on May 31 and the well-known red “C” incorporating an arrow has been modernised.
Hong Kong authorities could cut cross-harbour bus services amid drop in riders
The distinctive green and orange logo of New World First Bus was consigned to the history books after its final service from Cheung Sha Wan completed its route.
“I will definitely miss the iconic orange, green and white buses with wavy liveries so much,” said Key Chui, 16, a fan of the company and who rode the bus daily to school since he was four.

Hundreds of other fans, mostly youths, queued up at the bus terminus in Cheung Sha Wan hours before the final bus run by New World First Bus route 970x for Aberdeen.
“New World First Bus has contributed significantly to the transport development in the Southern district for decades. I hope the future generations won’t forget it after watching my videos,” Chui said.
He added that he treasured and enjoyed every single trip on his favourite Route 82M between Chai Wan MTR station and Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort).

Route 82M, which sometimes operated an open-top bus during morning rush hours, ceased last August.
Although changes to the livery and logo were made to symbolise a new direction for the company, some bus enthusiasts said they preferred the previous paintwork.
“The original red stripes above the arrow were removed from the new logo and it does not look as dynamic as it did,” Eugene Cheung, a fan who brought a model bus along with him on Route 970X in Cheung Sha Wan, said, adding he had queued for 2½ hours to catch the ride.
But the 13-year-old welcomed the rest of the new design.
“The concept is quite stunning and retains the iconic yellow colour of Citybus. I will still continue to snap photos of it,” he said.
New World First Bus fans try to get more photos before colours change
Lun Shum, a 26-year-old enthusiast who manages the social media page “Siu Sai Wan Estate Terminus Workshop” said he would like to see the remaining New World First Bus’s shelters in Choi Ming Court and Hing Man Estate conserved so young fans of the transport system could learn about the past.
“I don’t want New World First Bus to totally vanish in just one night. It deserves a place in history,” he said.

Roger Ma Chim-wai, the general manager (operations) for Citybus said he hoped bus fans would take the new branding and livery to their hearts.
“Fans can still collect the bus models to reminisce about New World First Bus,” he added.
Another bus enthusiast, a 35-year-old who gave his name as Chan, captured the last ride of the 970X route on camera.
“It’s memorable to capture fans’ reactions during this historical moment,” Chan, who manages the bus fan page “MOC Bus Association”, said.
Chan said bus lovers would have fewer choices to travel around and take photographs after the merger.
“The company will rationalise the bus routes and unite the bus designs soon. Everything will become monotonous,” he predicted.
Sleeping’s the main attraction on new Hong Kong bus tour
To mark the retirement of New World First Bus, Chan has amassed a collection of bus models, destination blinds, leaflets to promote new routes, bus stickers, souvenirs, newspaper advertisements and company name cards acquired from scrapyards and auction sites.
Chan said the merger would bring new inspiration and a fresh brand image for the united bus service.
“I do hope they will continue to provide passengers with excellent travel experiences,” he said.
New World First Bus hit the highway in 1998 after it took over the 88 routes operated by China Motor Bus.
Hong Kong to get first electric double-decker bus designed for hilly terrain
The company grew to run 95 routes across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with an estimated daily capacity of 353,800 passengers.
In 2020, New World First Bus was acquired by Bravo, which also owns Citybus, to save jobs after Covid-19 devastated public transport services.
Bravo said the merger would cut costs by reducing overlap in services and pledged to invest HK$3.5 billion (US$447 million) over the next 10 years.


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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s New World First Bus drives into history as it merges with sister company Citybus

Bus fans turn out in droves to mark the last departure of New World First Bus route 970X. Photo: Edmond So

Citybus frontline staff wear new lanyards sporting new designs. Photo: Jelly Tse

Bus fans, mostly youths, hold up placards and light signs to mark the occasion. Photo: Edmond So

Enthusiasts note the significance of New World First Bus to Hong Kong’s transport scene. Photo: Edmond So

Roger Ma, general manager (operations) for Citybus, says fans can still collect old models to commemorate New World First Bus. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong public transport firms Citybus and New World First Bus to join forces in bid to stem losses

Citybus (left) and New World First Bus vehicles at the bus terminal in Central. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Citybus and New World First Bus, which are headed for a merger, on routes on Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Photo: Nora Tam.

The sole operator would be allowed to commence operations after the franchises for Citybus and New World First Bus end on July 1 next year. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong ‘super bus fan’ who stole route plates and charts gets two-year jail sentence halved after appeal judge says crime was not typical burglary

Leung King Estate Bus Terminus in Tuen Mun. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Bus fans mark occasion as final New World First Bus service runs and first for new-look Citybus takes to the roads
Combined company will bear the Citybus logo and sport new livery as the 25-year-old New World First Bus identity disappears


Bus fans mark final New World First Bus service and first for new-look Citybus takes to the roads.


Traffic and road safety in Hong Kong

New World First Bus

Hong Kong’s New World First Bus drives into history as it merges with sister company Citybus

Bus fans mark occasion as final New World First Bus service runs and first for new-look Citybus takes to the roads Combined company will bear the Citybus logo and sport new livery as the 25-year-old New World First Bus identity disappears

Bus fans mark occasion as final New World First Bus service runs and first for new-look Citybus takes to the roads

Combined company will bear the Citybus logo and sport new livery as the 25-year-old New World First Bus identity disappears