A man donning face mask boards a bus in Hong Kong, July 22, 2020. (CALVIN NG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Transport Department has reminded members of the public that bus fares in the city are set to increase starting Sunday.

The fare hike will cover routes operated by Long Win Bus Co Ltd, Citybus Ltd, New Lantao Bus Co Ltd, New World First Bus Services Ltd and the Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd, the department said in a statement on Thursday.

“The bus companies have started displaying notices at bus stops, terminals and public transport interchanges to inform passengers of the fare adjustments,” the statement reads.

Citybus and its sister company New World First Bus (NWFB) will raise their fares by 4.9 percent on average, while the fares of some Citybus routes will go up by 4.2 percent, according to a document issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government

The Executive Council of Hong Kong late last month approved fare increases of 3.9 percent to 7 percent, which is not more than HK$1 (13 US cents) for most single trips.

Citybus and its sister company New World First Bus (NWFB) will raise their fares by 4.9 percent on average, while the fares of some Citybus routes will go up by 4.2 percent, according to a document issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

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Citybus serves Hong Kong Island, the cross-harbor routes between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, North Lantau, the Hong Kong International Airport, and the New Territories. NWFB, which is set to merge with Citybus at the end of the month, provides bus services on Hong Kong Island.

“This is the first ever fare adjustment for the Citybus (franchise for the airport and North Lantau) since its establishment over 25 years ago. For the Citybus (franchise for Hong Kong Island and the cross-harbor network) and NWFB franchise, it will only be the fourth fare adjustment since 2008,” Citybus said in a statement.   

Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Bus, both owned by Transport International Holdings, were also allowed to raise their fares by 3.9 percent and 4.2 percent on average, respectively.

KMB serves Kowloon, the New Territories and Hong Kong Island while Long Win Bus provides bus services between the airport, North Lantau, and the New Territories. 

KMB reminded its customers that the price of its KMB Monthly Pass, which is applicable to over 450 KMB and LWB routes, will remain unchanged at $780 for three months until September 17 to “offer a more economical travel option”.

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Another franchised bus operator, New Lantao Bus, was also allowed to increase its prices by 7 percent on average. It mainly operates bus routes on Lantau Island.