New World First Bus
Encyclopedia
New World First Bus Services Limited , abbreviated as First Bus and "NWFB", is the third largest public bus operator in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
NWFB was established in 1998, taking over China Motor Bus
China Motor Bus
China Motor Bus Company Ltd. , often abbreviated as CMB, was the first motor bus company in Hong Kong, and was responsible for the introduction of double-decker buses to Hong Kong Island....
's franchise
Exclusive right
In Anglo-Saxon law, an exclusive right is a de facto, non-tangible prerogative existing in law to perform an action or acquire a benefit and to permit or deny others the right to perform the same action or to acquire the same benefit. A "prerogative" is in effect an exclusive right...
on 1 September 1998 to provide bus services on Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
together with Citybus
Citybus (Hong Kong)
Citybus Limited is one of the three major bus operators in Hong Kong. It provides both franchised and non-franchised bus service. The franchised route network serves mainly Hong Kong Island, cross-harbour routes , Ocean Park, North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport...
. The company is wholly owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises
Chow Tai Fook Enterprises
Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd. is a diversified, Hong Kong-based company engaged in the property development, hotel, casino, transportation, jewelry, port and telecommunications businesses....
and NWS Holdings
NWS Holdings
NWS Holdings Limited is the conglomerate flagship of New World Development. It was established in 2002 when its predecessor, Pacific Ports Company Limited, acquired New World Services Limited from New World Development and the infrastructure assets from New World Infrastructure Limited.The company...
, which together also own the second largest operator, Citybus.
Tseung Kwan O
Tseung Kwan O is a bay in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. In the northern tip of the bay lies the Tseung Kwan O Village....
and the newly developed areas in west Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
. It also provides cross-harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
routes linking Hong Kong Island and Kowloon or the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
.
The company currently possesses just below 700 buses and operates just below 100 franchised
Exclusive right
In Anglo-Saxon law, an exclusive right is a de facto, non-tangible prerogative existing in law to perform an action or acquire a benefit and to permit or deny others the right to perform the same action or to acquire the same benefit. A "prerogative" is in effect an exclusive right...
routes. It has a patronage figure of 180 million every year. Since 18 August 2002, the entire bus fleet is air-conditioned
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
(with the exception of one open-top bus until January 2008). All buses are equipped with the Octopus
Octopus card
The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used to transfer electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong...
smart card payment system. Near 80% of the buses are Super Low Floor.
Establishment
Before NWFB started its operation, the franchised bus service in Hong Kong Island was provided by 2 companies, China Motor BusChina Motor Bus
China Motor Bus Company Ltd. , often abbreviated as CMB, was the first motor bus company in Hong Kong, and was responsible for the introduction of double-decker buses to Hong Kong Island....
(CMB) (franchisee since 1933) and Citybus
Citybus (Hong Kong)
Citybus Limited is one of the three major bus operators in Hong Kong. It provides both franchised and non-franchised bus service. The franchised route network serves mainly Hong Kong Island, cross-harbour routes , Ocean Park, North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport...
(franchisee since 1991). In the early 1990s, the service of the CMB was in a steady decline. Therefore, the Government
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
started to introduce new competitors by transferring the franchise of CMB routes to other companies.
As a result, Citybus became the 2nd franchisee of the bus service on Hong Kong Island. Over 40 routes were transferred between 1991 and 1995.(See the history part of Citybus for more details).
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
business. At the same time, negotiations between CMB and the Government on service improvements failed.
Finally, on 17 February 1998, the Government withdrew the franchise of all 140 routes operated by China Motor Bus, with effect from 1 September 1998. 88 of the 140 routes were placed on open tender, 12 routes were transferred directly to Citybus, 1 cross-harbour route to Kowloon Motor Bus
Kowloon Motor Bus
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
, and the remaining routes were cancelled.
Back then, a joint venture called New World First Holdings, was established to bid on the tender. The company was owned by the First Group of UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with a 26% stake, and NWS Holdings Limited ' onMouseout='HidePop("61293")' href="/topics/New_World_Development">New World Development
New World Development
New World Development Company Limited , based in Hong Kong, is active in property, infrastructure, services and telecommunications. It was established in 1970 with Dr Ho Sin Hang as Chairman and Chow Chi Yuen as Director and General Manager...
) with 74% stake. In total 6 companies placed bids for the tender, those included:
- New World First Holdings
- Kowloon Motor BusKowloon Motor BusThe Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
Holdings (Present Transport International Holdings) - Hong Kong United Bus Limited
- Citybus Group (35%)
- Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (35%)
- China Travel International Investment Hong Kong (25%)
- CNT Group (5%)
- Affluent Dragon Island Limited
- China Motor Bus (50%)
- Stagecoach GroupStagecoach GroupStagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
(50%)
- Hong Kong Public Bus Co. Ltd.
- Dah Chong Hong (70%)
- Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings (30%)
- Argos Bus
- Argos Enterprise (Holdings) (50%)
- HKR International (50%)
New World First Holdings was considered a dark horse
Dark horse
Dark horse is a term used to describe a little-known person or thing that emerges to prominence, especially in a competition of some sort.-Origin:The term began as horse racing parlance...
as it was the only bidder with no local bus operation experience. However, New World First Holdings eventually won the franchise on 31 March 1998 with promises of new facilities, improved service standards and employment of CMB staff.
Handover from China Motor Bus
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
was moved to Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok was an island in the western waters of Hong Kong. Together with the smaller Lam Chau, it was leveled and merged via land reclamation into the platform for the current Hong Kong International Airport, which opened for commercial operations in 1998...
on 6 July 1998, the Government and public were concerned about the handover of CMB on 1 September that year.
Eventually NWFB started its operation successfully at midnight 1 September 1998 after a series of negotiations and help from the Government. The official maiden departure of NWFB took place at 00:15 that night on Route N8, with the first new bus in the fleet (Fleet No. 1001). However, NWFB had already started its operation of other non-overnight routes at midnight as CMB refused to operate after that time.
On its first day of operation, around 50 new buses were put into service. The remaining buses put in service are former CMB buses, with the New World First Bus logo stuck over the CMB logos and blue patches over the CMB corporate flag.
Bus refurbishment
Air pollution problems were also addressed in the refurbishment program. When the buses were first acquired, none of them had catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
s installed. Now, they have been installed, reducing emission of polluting exhaust gases and particulates by 50%.
Another initiative was to phase out non air-conditioned buses from its fleet. On 17 August 2002, NWFB's last non air-conditioned bus, the Dennis Condor served its final journey. From then on, all buses in the NWFB fleet are air-conditioned.
Entering China's market
In 2004, it expanded its service to KunmingKunming
' is the capital and largest city of Yunnan Province in Southwest China. It was known as Yunnan-Fou until the 1920s. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of Yunnan, and is the seat of the provincial government...
in Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
by setting up the joint venture Kunming New World First bus with the Kunming Government. NWFB (China) is the major shareholder, holding 51% of share.
Cooperation with Citybus
In June 2003, Citybus was acquired by NWS Holdings, the parent company of New World First Bus. As a result, the bus service of Hong Kong Island was once again under control of a single organisation.Before the acquisition, many of the two companies' competing routes overlap each other. In order to make better use of company resources, many routes were reshuffled. Redundant routes were cancelled, and Octopus Card bus-bus interchange discounts were introduced between routes of both companies.
Double-deck air-conditioned buses (Acquired new)
- DennisDennis Specialist VehiclesDennis Specialist Vehicles is a major British coachbuilder and manufacturer of specialised commercial vehicles based in Guildford, England...
TridentDennis Trident 3Dennis Trident 3 is the first low floor double-decker bus chassis built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, with a large number purchased by bus companies in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States and Canada.-Design:...
- With Alexander ALX500Alexander ALX500The Alexander ALX500 is a 3-axle double-decker bus body built by Alexander of the United Kingdom. It was one of the ALX-series, which accounted for 5 different models , all of the models except the ALX100 featured the same designs on the front and rear panels that were originally designed for the...
body- 202 * 12 metres (Originally 211 - fleet number 1001-1190 & 1201-1221, 9 of them - (1201–1209) were sold to Citybus in December 2003)
- 24 * 11.3 metres (Originally 30 - fleet number 1401-1430, 6 of them (1416–1421) were sold to KCRCKowloon-Canton Railway CorporationThe Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation was established in 1982 under the Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance for the purposes of operating the Kowloon–Canton Railway , and to construct and operate other new railways...
in August 2005) - 15 * 10.6 metres (Originally 62 - fleet number 1601-1662, 47 of them were sold to KCRC between December 2004 and August 2005)
- With Duple Metsec DM5000
- 62 * 12 metres (Fleet number 3001-3062)
- 60 * 10.3 metres (Low-height, fleet number 3301-3360)
- 1 * 10.6 metres (Fleet number 3601)
- With Alexander ALX500
- VolvoVolvo BusesVolvo Buses is a subsidiary and a business area of the Swedish vehicle maker Volvo, which became an independent division in 1968. It is based in Göteborg....
Super Olympian (Alexander ALX500Alexander ALX500The Alexander ALX500 is a 3-axle double-decker bus body built by Alexander of the United Kingdom. It was one of the ALX-series, which accounted for 5 different models , all of the models except the ALX100 featured the same designs on the front and rear panels that were originally designed for the...
body)- 103 * 12 metres (Fleet number 5001-5103)
- NeoplanNeoplanNEOPLAN Bus GmbH is a German automotive company that manufactures buses, trolleybuses and coaches. NEOPLAN is now a subsidiary of NEOMAN Bus GmbH, which itself is a part of MAN SE.-Foundations:...
CentrolinerNeoplan CentrolinerThe NEOPLAN Centroliner is a series of low floor bus which was first unveiled in 1997, and mainly built by NEOPLAN Bus GmbH for the European market...
- 30 * 12 metres (Fleet number 6001-6030)
- Alexander Dennis Enviro500
- 42 * 12 metres (Fleet number 5500-5541)
- 40 * 11.3 metres (Fleet number 4000-4039)
Single-deck air-conditioned Buses (Acquired new)
- Dennis Dart SLF (Plaxton PointerPlaxton PointerThe Plaxton Pointer is a successful single-decker bus body manufactured during the 1990s by Plaxton and latterly built by Alexander Dennis.With the launch of the Dennis Dart in 1989, Plaxton's subsidiary Reeve Burgess made the Pointer body on the short 8.5 m...
2 body)- 12 * 10.7 metres (Originally 42 - fleet number 2001-2042, 20 of them were sold to UK in 2001, 10 of them were sold to Kowloon Motor BusKowloon Motor BusThe Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
in 2003) - 2001-2042 had Allison AT.545 gearbox and Cummins 6BT,B145.20 engine.
- 12 * 10.7 metres (Originally 42 - fleet number 2001-2042, 20 of them were sold to UK in 2001, 10 of them were sold to Kowloon Motor Bus
-
- 24 * 10.1 metres (Originally 34 - fleet number 2061-2094, 2066-2075 were sold to UK between 1999 and 2000)
- 2061-2094 had Allison AT.545 gearbox and Cummins 6BT,B145.20 engine.
Double-deck air-conditioned buses (Second-hand)
- Bought from China Motor BusChina Motor BusChina Motor Bus Company Ltd. , often abbreviated as CMB, was the first motor bus company in Hong Kong, and was responsible for the introduction of double-decker buses to Hong Kong Island....
(CMB)- 76 * 11 metres Dennis CondorDennis DragonThe Dennis Dragon is a 3-axle double decker bus built by Dennis of the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s....
with Duple Metsec body (Originally 92 - fleet number DA1-DA92, 16 of them were sold to DubaiDubaiDubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
/UK/South East Asia between 2004 and 2006). DA66 was converted into an open top bus for route 15C in 2008. - 62 * 11 metres Volvo OlympianVolvo OlympianThe Volvo Olympian was a rear-engine double decker bus built by Volvo at Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It was first built in 1992 and entered production in March 1993, replacing the Leyland Olympian....
with Alexander R-type body (Fleet number VA1-VA61, VA63) (VA62 & VA64 were retained by CMB and were sold to Citybus in 2002) - 25 * 11 metres Leyland OlympianLeyland OlympianThe Leyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. It was the last Leyland bus model in production before the demise of Leyland Bus.-Construction:...
with Alexander R-type body (Fleet number LA1-LA25) (All retired from active service as of 2010, some had their seats removed on the upper deck and used as training buses)
- 76 * 11 metres Dennis Condor
- Bought from Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals LimitedHong Kong Air Cargo Terminals LimitedHong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited is one of the leading air cargo terminal operator in the world. Located at the Hong Kong International Airport, it handles a total throughput of 2,899,603 tonnes of cargo per year which was about 80% air cargo processing capacity of the Hong Kong International...
(HACTL)- 4 * 12 metres Dennis DragonDennis DragonThe Dennis Dragon is a 3-axle double decker bus built by Dennis of the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s....
with Duple Metsec body (Fleet number DA93-DA96) - 2 * 12 metres Volvo OlympianVolvo OlympianThe Volvo Olympian was a rear-engine double decker bus built by Volvo at Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It was first built in 1992 and entered production in March 1993, replacing the Leyland Olympian....
with Northern Counties PalatineNorthern Counties PalatineThe Northern Counties Palatine is a step-entrance double-decker bus body built by Northern Counties of Wigan, UK. It was built mainly on Leyland Olympian and Volvo Olympian chassis, although some were also built on DAF, Volvo B10M Citybus and Scania chassis...
body (Fleet number VA65-VA66)
- 4 * 12 metres Dennis Dragon
Bus routes
When the Government decided to terminate China Motor Bus' franchise on its bus routes, New World First Bus acquired 88 routes. Other routes were handed over to Citybus and Kowloon Motor Bus. New World First Bus now also operates bus routes in the New Kowloon Development Area and Tseung Kwan O. On the bus stop signs, different types of routes are distinguished by different colors.See List of bus routes in Hong Kong for the complete route list.
Colour codes
- Standard routes and urban express routes are denoted in purple.
- Night routes are denoted in yellow numbers in black background.
Route numbering pattern
The numbering of bus routes follow a logical pattern.- Routes beginning with 1 terminate within the Central-Western District or Wan Chai District (except for 14, operating between Grand Promenade and Stanley Fort)
- Bus routes beginning with 2 all terminate in the eastern part of Hong Kong Island between Causeway Bay and Shau Kei Wan.
- Routes beginning with 3 terminate in Pok Fu Lam area (Chi Fu, Mount Davis & Pokfield Road).
- Routes beginning with 4 and 7 terminate in southwest Hong Kong Island (Cyberport, Wah Fu, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang).
- Routes beginning with 6 all terminate in Stanley.
- Routes beginning with 8 terminate in Chai Wan (including Siu Sai Wan).
- Route 9 operates between Shau Kei Wan and Shek O.
- Routes 90 thru 99 terminate in Ap Lei Chau.
- Triple digit routes beginning with 5 used to be fully air-conditioned routes, but now have no significant meaning.
- Triple digit routes beginning with 7 are Island Eastern Corridor Express routes or non-Hong Kong Island bus routes operated exclusively by NWFB.
Colour codes
- Bus routes that go through the Cross Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel are denoted in red
- Routes that make use of the Western Harbour Tunnel are denoted in green.
Route operations
Most of these routes are jointly operated with Kowloon Motor BusKowloon Motor Bus
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
, but routes
680A, 682, 682P, 694, 970, 970X and 971 are solely operated by New World First Bus. For the jointly-operated routes, NWFB is responsible for all bus stop facilities in Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
.
Numbering system
All Cross Harbour Tunnel Routes have 3 digit numbers.- Route numbers beginning with 1 go through the Cross Harbour Tunnel.
- Routes beginning with 3 are morning peak hour express routes.
- Routes beginning with 6 travel through the Eastern Harbour Tunnel.
- Routes beginning with 8 are shuttle buses that travel from the Shatin Racecourse.
- Routes beginning with 9 travel through the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Colour codes
- Standard routes and urban express routes are denoted in purple.
- Night routes are denoted in yellow numbers in black background.
Route numbering pattern
The same colour codes as those on Hong Kong Island apply for NWFB's Kowloon and New Territories Network. To distinguish NWFB routes from Kowloon Motor Bus routes, each route's number has 3 digits and all begin with 7.Fare scheme
All passengers on New World First Bus are required to pay the exact fare upon getting on the bus. The bus fare can be paid by cash or by Octopus Card. Children and Senior Citizens (people aged 65 or older) pay a Concessionary Fare, which is half of the full fare.Sectional fare
Sectional fares apply to some of the longer routes. If a passenger gets on the bus after a specified stop that situates further away from the start of the route, he/she may pay less. Furthermore, passengers of routes 14, 15 and N8P may also pay less if they do not wish to travel the entire length of the route.The rebate can be accessed by Octopus Card or cash.
To enjoy the rebate using an Octopus Card, the passenger has to place his Octopus Card on the reader twice in the entire journey, once when he/she boards and once when he alights. The rebate will then be added to the stored value of his Octopus Card. For instance, if a passenger takes route 15 from the Peak
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is a mountain in Hong Kong. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak. The mountain is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island...
, and alights at Wan Chai Gap, he/she will only pay $6.80 rather than the full fare of $9.20 when he/she uses his Octopus Card.
Apart from that, the passenger can place the sectional fare into the farebox. However, this is permitted at the discretion of the driver.
Bus-bus Interchange Scheme
Ever since Citybus was acquired by NWFB's parent company, NWS Holdings introduced the Bus-bus Interchange Scheme to encourage passengers to change buses. Not only does this allow the passenger to save money, it also allows redundant routes to be cancelled.The scheme is only available to users of Octopus Cards. When a commuter pays with an Octopus Card, the record of the bus route will be stored in the card. Then, as he boards any bus route supported by the scheme to continue his journey, a discounted fare will be deducted from his Octopus card, rather than the full fare.
For example, if a passenger boards route 23, and changes to route 23A in the Admiralty Gardens, he will not be charged any fare when he boards the 23A, as long as both journeys were paid for by Octopus Cards.
Same Day Return
In early 2005, CitybusCitybus (Hong Kong)
Citybus Limited is one of the three major bus operators in Hong Kong. It provides both franchised and non-franchised bus service. The franchised route network serves mainly Hong Kong Island, cross-harbour routes , Ocean Park, North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport...
and New World First Bus jointly introduced Same Day Return Fares. The fare is available for their solely operated Cross Harbour routes with bus fares exceeding $15 and for NWFB's Kowloon and New Territories network.
In Mid-2006, the Same Day Return Fare was extended to all Cross-Harbour routes with fares over $10, regardless of the operator. Routes with fares between $10 and $14.90 enjoy a 10% discount on the return trip, while routes exceeding $15 enjoy a 20% discount on the return trip.
As long as the passenger uses the same Octopus Card on both of his journeys, the discounted fare will be automatically deducted from his octopus card in the second journey.
For example, the single journey fare for route 682 is $18.20, hence the passenger will be charged only $16.40 on his second journey if he uses an Octopus Card.
Value Pack
To encourage people to go sightseeing on NWFB buses, a Value Pack has been set up for the following 3 sets of routes:From Central/North Point to Stanley:
- 63, 65, 66
From Stanley to Sai Wan Ho:
- 14
From Sai Wan Ho to Central:
- 2X, 720, 720A, 720P
The passenger is encouraged to travel around Hong Kong Island either in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction starting at Central or North Point, stopping at Stanley on the way. As long as he uses an Octopus Card and takes the bus in the correct sequence of routes, he will receive a $1 interchange discount on the 2nd and 3rd rides.
Bus amenities and services
Onboard television
In most buses, there are television screens installed on both the lower and upper saloon, known as FirsTVsion. They provide various entertainment programs, programs of Radio Television Hong KongRadio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
, as well as some advertisements. The television on NWFB was once operated by a Star East
Star East
Star East is a Hong Kong production and entertainment company founded by Eric Tsang, Natalis Chan and Alan Tam and parent company of the film and TV production company BoB and Partners Co. Ltd.....
's (now See Corporation) subsidiary called M-Channel, and later it turned to be operated by NWFB's sister company and named the TV FirstVision. In 2005, RoadShow
RoadShow
RoadShow , formerly known as "資訊娛樂共同睇" [paraphrased as Integrated View of Information and Entertainment]) is the first "Multi-Media On Board" service on transit vehicles in the world. It was launched by Kowloon Motor Bus Company on 26 November 2000...
acquired FirstVision and started to broadcast their own programs on NWFB since early 2006.
Next stop indication and sight explanations
On routes like 15, a public address system has been installed on the bus, which tells the passengers where the next stop is. When the bus passes through certain sightseeing points, the PA system will also give a brief introduction of the sights. (e.g. Causeway Bay) Also, all Rickshaw Sightseeing buses (VA51-VA55) are fitted with PA systems.Depots
- New World First Bus Heng Fa Chuen Depot (Chai Wan) 2002 - Shueng On Street and Sheung Mau Street (multi-storey bus depot)
- Wong Chuk HangWong Chuk HangWong Chuk Hang is an industrial and residential town to the east of Aberdeen and to the north of Nam Long Shan and to the west of Shouson Hill, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong...
Depot - ex-CMB depot at Ocean Park Road (open air bus depot) - Siu Ho WanSiu Ho WanSiu Ho Wan is a bay on the north shore of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The bay is largely reclaimed for the bus depots. The Airport Express, Tung Chung Line of MTR and North Lantau Highway run across the reclamation of the bay...
Depot and Shing Tai Depot 1999
See also
- Rickshaw Sightseeing BusRickshaw Sightseeing BusRickshaw Sightseeing Bus is a brand of sightseeing transportation service operated by New World First Bus Services Limited , one of the franchised bus services operators in Hong Kong. Using "rickshaw", an old Hong Kong icon, as a trademark, it offers 2 thematic sightseeing routes by open top...
- Transportation in Hong Kong
- New World Development Co. Ltd.
- List of Hong Kong companies