Annual Report 2024

25 2024 Annual Report Transport International Holdings Limited In view of demographic changes, urban development and evolving passenger needs, particularly the upsurge in cross- boundary demand, KMB introduced new boundary routes and enhanced its existing service levels to cater for the demand. To tie in with the completion of residential areas in Fu Tip Estate in Tai Po, Ching Fu Court in Tsing Yi, Queen’s Hill in Fanling, Kong Ha Wai in Yuen Long and LOHAS Park in Tseung Kwan O, KMB further strengthened its services in these districts by launching new routes and increasing the frequency of existing routes. Besides, the new Recreation Route HK1, has since offered a new “hop on, hop off” experience to the new tourist service connecting key tourist spots in Kowloon. Tourists can use the Tourist Day Pass to enjoy this new tourist-oriented service and explore the city with unlimited rides across KMB and LWB’s extensive bus network. To enhance connectivity between Tuen Mun and Causeway Bay, KMB extended the service hours of Route 961 observing Causeway Bay, allowing passengers to travel directly between the two locations in a single trip. In response to the increasing use of Heung Yuen Wai Control Point, KMB launched Route B9A in 2024 to operate between the Control Point and Yuen Long West. Alongside the existing Routes B9 and 79K, where Bus-bus Interchange (“BBI”) is coordinated with other KMB routes, passengers can interchange between multiple KMB routes to reach urban areas in Yuen Long and Fanling Station BBIs. Moreover, Route 79K provides an all-day service connecting North District and Heung Yuen Wai Control Point. Passengers on Route 79K can interchange between multiple KMB routes at Fanling Station BBI to travel to other districts at discounted fares. To facilitate late-night boundary travel, KMB introduced Route N276 in August 2024, connecting passengers from Yuen Long District to San Tin for transfers to the Lok Ma Chau – Huanggang Shuttle Bus. New Franchised Bus Routes Serving Tai Po and Ma Wan KMB was granted the operating rights for new bus route packages at Tai Po Fu Tip Estate. To align with the population intake in 2024, KMB introduced Routes 72K, 74, 271A, and a special trip on 272P, connecting Fu Tip to Tai Wo, Yau Tong, Tsim Sha Tsui and Kwai Hing, respectively, along with two cross-harbour routes to Hong Kong Island. To further improve the area’s connectivity to urban districts, Route 72X was extended from Tai Po Central to Fu Tip in November 2024. In addition to providing a whole-day direct service to urban areas, Route 72X serves as a core feeder to Tai Po Kwong Fuk Road BBI, facilitating interchanges with other urban bus routes connecting to East Kowloon and Tsuen Kwai Tsing. Furthermore, KMB was also granted the operating rights for the new Route 230R, which runs between Ma Wa Park and Kowloon Station. It is the first franchised bus service connecting Ma Wan to urban Kowloon. This marked a new chapter in public transport on the island of Ma Wan and improved connectivity to the recreational facilities at Ma Wan Park and Noah’s Ark Theme Park. KMB hopes to further enhance bus services in the area of Ma Wan, building a more comprehensive network to serve more passengers. Green and Smart KMB demonstrates its commitment to innovation by enhancing its bus fleet with technological advancements and environmentally friendly features to elevate the passenger experience. The Company aims to upgrade its entire fleet with new energy buses in support of the Government’s policy to achieve carbon neutrality. Granted the operating rights for the new bus route package at Tai Po Fu Tip Estate, KMB introduced Routes 74 and 271A to connect the estate with commercial areas in Kowloon East and West, catering to residents’ commuting and daily needs