The original franchise agreements that both CMB and KMB signed up to included a “commonwealth preference” clause which effectively meant buying British. However, in 1983 a Mercedes Benz 0305 with Alexander double deck bodywork arrived in Hong Kong for evaluation by KMB. This two axle vehicle was 11m in length on two axles. The vehicle proved itself in service and a further 40 buses were ordered; these buses entered service from 1985 and all were know as the ME class. Originally delivered in a striking red/cream striped livery they subsequently adopted the standard red/cream livery.
The next batch of “foreign” buses were 184 Mitsubishi Fuso air-conditioned single deckers (AM class) introduced from 1990 which were spread far and wide across the KMB operating territory.
In 1993 KMB ordered two 3 axle, 11.5m air conditioned Scania N113 double deckers for evaluation – again fitted with Alexander bodywork. They were very similar in appearance to the large numbers of similarly bodied Olympians then entering service. However a large radiator grille on the offside ahead of the rear axles was a distinguishing feature. A further 20, of what was known as the AS class were subsequently delivered in 1996.

KMB, like many bus companies, pursued a policy of dual sourcing its vehicles. The Dennis Dragon was pitched against the Olympian and KMB acquired a large fleet of these buses. Following on from the large fleet of non air-con Dragons, KMB purchased significant numbers of air conditioned Dragons of three different lengths. The first type to enter the fleet, from 1990 onwards were the AD class 11m variants – a total of 360 being delivered. The next variant was the shorter 9.9m version (class code ADS), of which there were 235. The final batch were 170 12m buses which were given the class code 3AD. All these buses were fitted with two door Duple Mtesec bodywork.

KMB were at the forefront of the development of the air-conditioned bus with experiments in the 80’s with a Metrobus and a Leyland Victory. Once the concept had been perfected large numbers of buses were introduced to improve the travelling environment for the passenger, albeit with premium fares. After the large numbers of non air-con Leyland Olympians came, even larger numbers of the air-conditioned version were ordered. The first buses were 150 AL class 11m Leyland Olympians introduced between 1990 and 1993. These were followed by a further 531 11m Volvo Olympians (AV class) which were introduced from 1994 onwards. 348 12m (class 3AV) buses were also delivered between 1994 and 1997. All of these vehicles had Alexander bodywork.

Although the Olympian appeared to be the vehicle of choice for Citybus, they ordered a number of Dennis Dragons fitted with Duple Metsec bodywork. They were unusual in being assembled by Salvadore Caetano in their works in Porto, Portugal. They were fitted with Alexander style front ends resulting in a standard look for the Citybus fleet as well as common windscreens thus reducing spares holdings. Initially, two batches were purchased - 20 10.4m single door vehicles and 30 12m two door vehicles. Further batches of 12m vehicles subsequently followed.

Citybus Ltd commenced operations in 1979 and the Leyland Olympian (and later Volvo Olympian) has played a significant part in the success of this operator over the last 30 years. The first Leyland Olympian entered service in 1985 and were air-conditioned coaches built specifically for cross-border services. Further coach specification vehicles (both 11m and 12m in length) were delivered between 1989 and 1992. When Citybus were granted a number of franchise services (at the time operated by CMB) they ordered large quantities of 12m Olympians as well as a batch of 10.4m vehicles primarily for use on routes to Stanley. A small number of second hand Olympians were also purchased (from West Yorkshire PTE).

Following on from 3 12m 3 axle Dragons delivered in 1982, KMB ordered a further 188 12m examples which commenced delivery in 1983. Unlike the first three which had Alexander bodywork, the remainder were fitted with Duple Metsec 3 door bodies assembled locally by KMB.
In 1986 the first of 370 shorter 11m 3 axle Dragons commenced delivery. The bodywork on the first 270 were similar to the 12m versions, albeit with 2 door bodywork. The remaining 100 were fitted with an “updated” body style – distinguishable by the 7 upper deck windows as opposed to 8 windows on the earlier batch.

Following the evaluation of 3 ECW bodied Leyland Olympians delivered in 1981, KMB went on to buy large numbers of these buses. The first batch were 123 9.5m 2 axle vehicles (class BL). These were followed by 420 11m 3 axle (class S3BL) and 163 12m 3 axle buses (Class 3BL). All these buses had Alexander bodywork assembled locally by KMB. The 12m vehicles had three doors – one entrance and two exit doorways; the others were two door buses. In 1995 KMB purchased 30 11m Volvo Olympians with Alexander bodywork (class S3V), these were the last non air-conditioned buses bought by KMB.
By the time of my last visit in 2007, the only buses of these types left in service were the 11m versions.

The first Metrobuses delivered to KMB were 3 prototype 12m 3 axle buses as part of a wider experiment into the possibility of operating high capacity vehicles. These 3 buses were delivered in 1981. The next batch of buses were standard 2 axle 9.7m vehicles of the Mark II type which started to enter service in 1983 – a total of 88 buses were purchased. The largest Metrobus order was for 254 11m 3 axle buses; a type unique to KMB, which were introduced from 1986. Examples of each of these three variants are in this collection.

Following trials with prototypes of both the Leyland Victory and the Dennis Jubilant, KMB went on to purchase significant numbers of both types of vehicle. Over 500 Victory’s were purchased and over 360 Jubilant’s. Externally they looked very similar and were difficult to tell apart. The vast majority of buses were fitted with Alexander bodies (assembled locally), but the final 150 Jubilant’s had Duple Metsec bodywork.

As part of the commitment to improve the quality of bus travel, NWFB made a commitment to replace all the non-air conditioned buses that it acquired from CMB.
NWFB placed an order for 500 buses, the vast majority were Dennis Tridents of varying lengths and Dennis Darts. A batch of 40 Volvo Super Olympians were also included in the order. Despite the short timescales 50 new buses were available for the start of operations and introduced the Green, Orange and white livery which was subsequently simplified on later deliveries and repaints.

NWFB secured the franchise previously held by CMB on the premise of introducing 500 new buses. However, many of the existing fleet were acquired – a total of 710 buses (including 199 air-con vehicles) were sold to the new operator ready for start of operation on 1st September 1998. Buses initially had a “New World First Bus” fleetname placed over the former operator’s identity until such time as the buses could be either repainted or replaced. In addition to the fleet acquired from CMB, NWFB also purchased six double deckers from HACTL.

There are a small number of operators who operate buses throughout Hong Kong. The island of Lantao has its own franchised operator in the shape of New Lantao Bus Company. With the opening of the new “Lantao Link” bridge, this operator’s vehicles can now be seen in the new territories. Other operators included in this collection are Discovery Bay Transit, HACTL and MTR Corporation whose coaches operate free services connecting the Hong Kong Express railway to hotels in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. In 2008 Big Bus sightseeing commenced operations in Hong Kong with ex NWFB Dennis Dragons converted to open top on tours around HK Island and Kowloon.

1n 1988 KCRC introduced a number of feeder services from housing developments to their expanding rail and light rail network. Initially a fleet of 20 MkII Metrobuses were used. These were later supplemented by a batch of 25 11m air-conditioned Leyland Olympians. Further buses have been introduced, including single deckers and low floor double deckers (Metrobuses are now long gone) for additional services. The initial livery was a rather dull “battleship” grey scheme; this was subsequently replaced by a white/grey/red scheme. Today the livery is a turquoise/dark blue/red scheme. In December 2007, the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation merged with the MTR Corporation; the name retained for the enlarged organisation. Following the merger the buses started to appear with the MTR Corporation logo.

CMB investment in new buses in the 1990's consisted of Dennis Condors and Leyland/Volvo Olympians. Both air-con and non air-con 3 axle buses were bought. The very last (small) batch of Volvo Olympians introduced a new silver/blue livery but it didn't last long as soon after delivery CMB's franchise was awarded to New World First Bus. Here is a selection of pics of Condors and Olympians. More pictures of these vehicles will appear at a later date under the NWFB collections as they were acquired by NWFB as part of the takeover deal.

In its later years, CMB didn’t use many single deckers. The only vehicle type in the fleet at the time of my visits were air-conditioned Dennis Darts. 20 Dennis Darts with Carlyle bodywork (DC1-20) were purchased in 1991 for the Stanley "urban coach" route 260; the buses were redeployed when that route passed to Citybus. A further batch of 8 Darts with Marshall bodywork (CX1-8) were delivered in 1994 and were used on new airport route A20.

The Guy Arab was a popular vehicle in CMB’s fleet with large numbers of single and double deck vehicles purchased. In 1981 a program started to re-body 150 examples with Alexander ckd bodies in an attempt to modernise the fleet. Some of these vehicles were still running on my first visit in 1994.

CMB’s preference for front engined buses resulted in the development of the Leyland Victory which sold in large numbers in Hong Kong to both CMB and KMB. CMB purchased a total of 167 Victory’s, the vast majority with Alexander bodywork. However, the last 20 had bodies by Duple Metsec. A number passed into the fleet of NWFB when they took over the CMB franchise.

CMB operated 3 types of Metrobus; the MB, MC and ML classes. The MC class were the first to be delivered (in 1978) and consisted of 12 single door 9.7m vehicles for use on routes 260 and 262.They were fitted with “coach” type seats and painted in a revised livery.
The second batch of Metrobuses (the MB class) were marketed as “Super Jumbo’s” as they were 11.45m in length on two axles with a passenger capacity of 146. Only 40 were built and were unique to CMB.
The most numerous class were the ML’s which were 12m in length on 3 axles with a passenger capacity of 170. The first was delivered in 1981 and the class totalled 84.

The first rear-engined double deckers for CMB were the Daimler/Leyland Fleetline. They started the drive towards higher capacity vehicles with the first being introduced in 1973 – a total of 335 “Jumbo” 33ft Fleetlines and 30 shorter 30ft vehicles were bought new.
In 1980, CMB purchased a large quantity of London “DMS” Fleetlines. Over 200 were placed in service by CMB and lasted in the fleet until 1996. Most of the pics in this collection were taken on my first two visits in 1994 and 1996.

The Star Ferry has been plying its trade across Victoria Harbour since 1898. The ferries currently operate from Central and Wanchai on Hong Kong Island to Tsim Tsa Tsui and Hung Hom in Kowloon. It operates a fleet of 13 ferries (two of which are dedicated to sightseeing trips), the youngest of which are over 40 years old but their design retains a link with the earliest ferries.
The ferry operates an essential link between Kowloon and the Island, however, its importance has diminished since the opening of the tunnels under the harbour. They are as part of life in Hong Kong as the trams are and it is one of the "must do" things whenever visiting Hong Kong.

The trams of Hong Kong have been running since 1904. They have retained their traditional appearance all the while the environment in which they operate has changed almost constantly around them since their introduction.

There are over 160 double deck trams running on a 13km route from Kennedy Town to Shai Kai Wan with a loop around to Happy Valley. The traditional livery of the tram cars is a dark green but the vast majority of them carry overall advertising.