1. Background and Objectives

There are two types of public light buses ("PLBs"), namely green minibuses ("GMBs") and red minibuses ("RMBs"), the total number of GMBs and RMBs shall not exceed the statutory limit. GMBs operate scheduled services with routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetable subject to approval by the Transport Department ("TD"). The services and fares of RMBs are not subject to TD's approval and the RMB operators could adjust the services according to passenger demand and operating needs.

It has been the Government's established policy to encourage the conversion of RMBs to GMBs, with a view to ensuring the service quality of PLBs for more effective monitoring. To align with this policy, the TD has been planning and developing new GMB route packages based on residential development and passenger demand and has been inviting applications from interested parties (including RMB operators) to run these routes through the annual Green Minibus Operators Selection exercise. At the same time, in response to the increasing passenger demand, the number of vehicles deployment of some GMB routes would be increased with a view to expediting the conversion of RMBs to GMBs operations.

Since February 2022, the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme) has been extended to cover RMB routes. Currently, about 70 RMB routes have participated in the $2 Scheme. According to the requirements of the $2 Scheme, the operators of the relevant RMB routes are required to submit operational information to the TD, including routings, fares and vehicle deployment, etc. Under the requirements of the $2 Scheme, the operating mode of these RMB routes is largely the same as that of GMB routes. This arrangement allows the TD to grasp the specific route details, and to facilitate the review on expediting the conversion of RMB into GMB operations.

2. Implementation and the specific conditions of the Scheme

The TD has invited the RMB operators who have participated in the $2 Scheme and have met the specific conditions to apply for direct conversion to GMB routes operations on 2 August 2024 (the Scheme). The specific conditions of the Scheme include: the RMB routes selected should have at least five years of service, the vehicles of the route operate only on that single route and provide daily and whole-day service, and the route concerned is operated by a single operator.

The operators of the specific RMB routes being invited to apply for direct conversion to GMB route operation shall comply with the "Conditions for the Operation of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Service" including hiring of drivers to perform driving duties, its daily operation and fare are subject to TD's approval and regulation, which is in line with the existing selection scheme for GMB operators through open invitation for application.

The TD has issued invitation to 11 selected RMB routes (details shown in the table below), which have met the specific conditions, to apply for conversion to GMB routes operations by October 31. The TD will examine each application received to ensure the route concerned complies with the "Conditions for the Operation of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Service". The processing of the applications is expected to be completed by end-2024. Preparation for the conversion of the approved routes to GMB routes will be carried out afterwards.

Route Reference Number Eligible Red Minibus routes
1 Yau Tong (Yau Tong Road) - Kwun Tong (Yue Man Square PTI)
2 Sau Mau Ping (Hiu Kwong Street) - Jordan (Pak Hoi Street)
3 To Kwa Wan (Tam Kung Road) - Ho Man Tin (Chun Man Court) (Circular)
4 Tsz Wan Shan (Wai Wah Street) - Jordan (Nanking Street)
5 Yau Tong (Lei Yue Mun Path) - Jordan (Woosung Street)
6 Aberdeen (Tung Shing Road) - Mong Kok (Sai Yee Street)
7 Shek Lei (Shek Lei Street) - Mong Kok (Shanghai Street)
8 Ho Man Tin (Hau Man Street) - Mong Kok (Fa Yuen Street)
9 Yuen Long (Park Yoho) - Yuen Long Station (Long Ming Street) (Circular)
10 Sai Kung (Wai Man Road) - Mong Kok (Dundas Street)
11 Kwun Tong (Horse Shoe Lane) - Mong Kok (Dundas Street)


3. Trade consultation

The TD consulted the PLB trades extensively (including GMB operators and RMB trade associations) for their views on the Scheme in late May this year and the trades generally supported the Scheme with positive feedback. The TD informed the GMB Operators Selection Board of the details and relevant requirements of the Scheme in early July.

4. Other Information

The TD will hold a briefing on August 12 for the operators of the 11 selected RMB routes on the Scheme's details.