6th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Transport Department (TD) announced today (January 6) the approval for operators of two red minibus (RMB) routes to transition to green minibus (GMB) route operations as part of the RMB to GMB conversion scheme.
During the application period for the scheme, the TD received two applications and conducted a thorough review last month to ensure compliance with licensing and operational requirements for GMBs. This included verifying that the operators had recruited drivers for the affected routes and that daily operations and fares would be subject to TD oversight. Following approval from the GMB Operators Selection Board, the TD has issued letters of approval for the following routes to operate as GMBs:
- Sau Mau Ping (Hiu Kwong Street) – Jordan (Pak Hoi Street)
- Yuen Long (Park YOHO) – Yuen Long Station (Long Ming Street) (Circular)
The operators are now preparing for the transition to GMB operations. This includes developing service schedules, procuring stop signs for terminus and en-route locations, updating vehicle liveries, hiring drivers under formal contracts, and applying for the new GMB routes to participate in the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities, as well as the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme. The two routes are anticipated to begin service in March.
A spokesperson for the TD remarked that the government aims to encourage the conversion of RMBs to GMBs to enhance the service quality of public light buses (PLBs) and facilitate more effective monitoring. The TD will review the future of the scheme based on the implementation of these newly converted routes and feedback from industry stakeholders.
Previously, the TD had invited operators of 11 RMB routes that met specified conditions to apply for direct conversion to GMB operations, conducting extensive consultations and briefing sessions for relevant operators.
The post Transport Department approves conversion of two red minibus routes to green minibus operations appeared first on Dimsum Daily.
English (US) ·