Chen Meibao: The open-top sightseeing bus route is popular, encouraging specialized bus operators to explore new route opportunities

Citybus and Ocean Park have collaborated to launch the panda-themed open-top bus "Panda Around the Sea," and starting from mid-next month, they will introduce two new sightseeing bus routes "Coastal Tour," passing through major tourist attractions including Ocean Park.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Chan Mei Po, delivered a speech at the launch ceremony, stating that Hong Kong's tourism resources are very rich, and to achieve tourism everywhere, public transport plays an important role. The government encourages franchised bus companies to explore new route opportunities in addition to their regular scheduled services, and the bus fare structure has also provided certain flexibility for bus companies to explore related revenue.

Chan Mei Po mentioned that Citybus had a total of 3 open-top bus routes last year, with total passenger volume exceeding 560,000, more than doubling compared to 2023, indicating that the related tourism routes are very popular. She expressed happiness that Citybus is launching a sightseeing bus themed around giant pandas, seizing the new opportunity for panda tourism, realizing "Pandas Everywhere."

She also noted that last year, buses carried an average of over 3.5 million passengers daily, accounting for about 30% of local public transport capacity. Although the government has been actively expanding the heavy rail network in recent years, she emphasized that it has not overlooked the important role franchised buses play in maintaining the public transport system