User:HingWahStreet/HK Transport Journal/Issue 1

The Wikimedia Journal of Hong Kong Transport
Issue 1 (February 2024)

In This Issue

• Hong Kong's first hydrogen bus enters passenger service
• Kai Tak's new public transport interchange
• New bus service for Tai Po

Note and disclaimer: External links are included in this issue. The editor is not responsible to the material outside this issue.
For any inquiries, please forward to the talk page.

Hydrogen Revolution: First Revenue Service for Hydrogen Bus

On 25 February 2024, Hong Kong bus operator Citybus had its first hydrogen fuel cell road vehicle to carry passengers on its Kowloon flagship route 20. With the first service full of passengers, a step forward was taken for the decarbonization of public transport in Hong Kong.

Hydrogen bus

Hydrogen bus 59200 at Kai Tak, ready for its first revenue service

The hydrogen fuel cell bus, 59200 (plate number RP866), is a Weisheit WSD6121BR3FCEV specially designed for the evaluation of such technology whether it is suitable for use in Hong Kong, which costs HK$8 million. Vigorous testing was being done before the hydrogen services began, which saw decent results with maximum safety for passengers. The bus was delivered in Hong Kong as early as 2022 but lacked suitable charging equipment. Such equipment was installed in 2023 in the bus operator's West Kowloon Depot and the bus was registered on 29 November 2023. A day later, it was inaugurated by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee.

The bus is three-axled and has a rated capacity of 119 passengers plus a driver. Due to safety regulations, this hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle is unable to traverse in vehicular tunnels. For one full single charge of 10 minutes gives an operational range of approximately 250 miles (400 km).

First service

Interior of the hydrogen bus, packed with passengers

The first ever hydrogen bus service takes off from Kai Tak (Muk On Street) at 11:00 (UTC+8) loaded full of passengers, with most of them bus enthusiasts. It arrived at Hoi Tat Estate Public Transport Interchange on time, forty minutes later. For the first passengers, they received a complimentary souvenir including a transparent water bottle, as well as a unique certificate.

Photographers taking pictures of Roger Ma holding the souvenir, pictured behind the hydrogen bus

According to Cable News, some bus enthusiasts feel that the hydrogen bus is, even more, quieter than the battery electric variant. A bus enthusiast even arrived at Kai Tak at three in the morning for the bus. Upon their arrival at Hoi Tat Estate, they surround the front of the bus and take pictures. Correspondents followed and conducted interviews with the bus enthusiasts. Roger Ma, general manager of operations, meets the press before the first service, saying there are no plans to increase fares for the introduction of this bus.

What happens next

The bus will make six to eight trips for route 20 "Waterloo Road Line" every day, with a further introduction to routes 20A and 22M at a later stage. The introduction of the hydrogen fuel cell bus, along with the introduction of the first electric double-decker bus in 2022, fulfills the steps of utilizing a fully zero-emission fleet in 2045, five years before Hong Kong is declared carbon-neutral by the government.

New Kai Tak PTI Opens

Inside Kai Tak PTI, here showing the bus stop area used by Citybus

Kai Tak Public Transport Interchange, located at the ground level of the AIRSIDE development by Nam Fung Group, was put into use on 25 February 2024, the same day as Hong Kong's first hydrogen bus service was made. Citybus routes 78C and 78X, as well as Cityflyer bus route A25 and GMB route 82, moved into the new permanent terminus on the same day. The new public transport interchange replaces three roadside termini, all of which were located at Concorde Road. The new terminus means a better connection to the AIRSIDE shopping mall and nearby buildings, as well as bringing more convenient access to Kai Tak and San Po Kong.

KMB Route 72K Commences Service: New Convenience for Fu Tip Estate Residents

A Volvo B8L used for this service parks at the temporary terminus of Fu Tip Estate, located outside the not-yet-opened public transport interchange

KMB, the largest public bus operator in Hong Kong, has rolled out its latest bus route 72K on 28 February 2024 to and from the new public housing estate development, Fu Tip Estate phase 2. This circular route runs through the northwestern spine of Tai Po New Town and returns to Fu Tip Estate at Tai Wo Station.

Passengers would benefit through the route with plenty of community facilities nearby, including two hospitals, a public sports ground, a public swimming pool, as well as several public estates, food and grocery markets, shopping malls and museums, bringing convenience in just about 15 minutes.

Route history

This is part of the Bus Route Planning Programme of 2021-2022, originally running between Fu Tip Estate and Tai Po Market Station via Nam Wan Road, which is always congested, especially during peak hours. The proposed routing also coincides with that of another KMB route 71A and GMB route 20X. District councilors and regional organizations have since suggested rerouting it to Tai Wo Station to relieve congestion of the Tai Po Market Station area, as well as providing more choices of transportation to the residents of Fu Tip Estate and Fu Heng Estate; it was accepted by the Transport Department.

Fares and transport connection

Another B8L used for this service, seen here at Tai Wo Station loading passengers

This is the first Tai Po public housing estate connection bus route to link purely to Tai Wo Station instead of to the busy Tai Po Market Station. The circular bus route has an adult full fare of HK$4.2, with a section fare from Sacred Heart of Mary School of just HK$2.3, the cheapest of all franchised bus routes.

With the strong bus-bus interchange network of KMB, it offers a fare reduction of up to HK$4.2, the same adult full fare of route 72K, for interchange at Chung Nga Road or Tai Yuen Estate bus stops to other KMB and Long Win services to other districts. At Tai Wo Station, passengers can change to the MTR East Rail Line through the shopping mall on the mezzanine level.

What's next

KMB will enhance the 72K service depending on passenger demand, specifically the residents of Fu Tip Estate and Fu Heng Estate. It is also preparing to operate two new express routes to Kowloon from Fu Tip Estate, running during the morning and evening peak hours on weekdays.

Other Highlights for February 2024

• KMB route 230R is the first scheduled franchised public bus route to operate into Ma Wan when it commenced operations on 3 February 2024.
• Free ride day for Citybus routes B3, B3A and B3X was made on 17 February 2024, sponsored by HSBC Credit Card.
• On 24 February 2024, concessionary fares were applied to adult Octopus card riders and others HK$1 for MTR and the Light Rail.

Other Issues

• Issue 2 (March 2024)