When KMB was founded in 1933, its bus fleet consisted of 106 small, single deck buses. Today KMB is the largest bus operator in Hong Kong with 4,058 buses, of which 90% are air-conditioned. With 12,906 staff, KMB operates a network of 402 bus routes transporting about 2.77 million passengers every day. Fares for urban routes range from $2.4 to $11.2, and for New Territories routes, from $1.6 to $38.
Having played an active part in the development of Hong Kong over the years, KMB has became one of the world's largest privately run public bus companies and gained recognition as an international leader in public bus transportation.
CITYBUS LIMITED started operating buses in 1979 using one double deck bus on a shuttle service for the employees of a Hong Kong dockyard. By 1981 the search for new business resulted in the operation of our first residential bus route between City One Shatin and Kowloon Tong MTR station. This route is still operating as route 62R and was Hong Kong's first fully air conditioned bus route.
In 2003 Citybus became a member of NWS Transport Services Limited which also owns New World First Bus Limited and now operates 113 bus routes, including 65 Hong Kong Island routes, 31 cross-harbour routes, and 17 routes to Tung Chung/Airport. Fares range from $2.5 to $11.9 for Hong Kong Island routes and $3.5 to $48 for Shuttle, External and Airport routes. In 2005, Citybus had 911 licensed buses, which carried about 517,000 passengers a day.
As at 31 December 2005, the fleet comprises 86 single-deck bases and carries an average of 37,000 passengers daily. The greatest traffic occurs during summer and on Sundays and public holidays due to recreational demands.
KCR Bus' strategic routes provide access to and between many KCR stations for thousands of passengers everyday. The KCRC's integrated fare system also allows East Rail, West Rail and Light Rail passengers who use Octopus cards to enjoy the free feeder bus services that link many housing estates to East Rail stations, West Rail stations and Light Rail stops.
The Corporation operates a total of 15 routes, including West Rail and Light Rail feeder bus services, residential routes and express routes, as well as an additional six East Rail feeder routes operated under a KMB franchise.
The KCR Bus fleet comprises 143 buses, which provide service for 19 hours every day.
It operates 18 routes with a fleet of 146 air-conditioned buses. The average daily patronage is about 67,000 passengers in 2005. Fares range from $3.5 to $28.
Hansen's Hikes 38 D, Tower 2, Sham Wan Towers 3, Ap Lei Chau Drive Ap Lei Chau Hong Kong
NEW WORLD FIRST BUS SERVICES LIMITED (NWFB) was founded in 1998 and operates 54 Hong Kong Island routes, 8 Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O routes and 33 cross-harbour routes. Fares for Hong Kong Island routes range from $3.0 to $11.6 and Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O routes range from $3.2 to $7.5.
In 2005, NWFB had 694 licensed buses (all air-conditioned), which carried 493,000 passengers a day.