In this issue

New KMB tourist bus route
National Day public transport concessionaries
MTR 45th-anniversary carnival

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KMB Opens New Horizons: New Tourist Bus Route for Kowloon

On 21 September 2024, KMB started operating a new tourist bus route, HK1, serving six key areas of Kowloon, running in a circular path. With this service introduction, KMB joined Citybus and Big Bus Hong Kong in the competition for sightseeing bus services in Hong Kong. Branded as Tour @Kowloon, this was not the first time KMB established a bus route to attract tourists and shoppers. For example, between 1994 and 2003, KMB operated a bus route B1 branded as Nathan Shopper, with low fares and comfortable buses aimed at Nathan Road shoppers.

Route details

This circular route, running clockwise, covers the popular tourist destinations in Kowloon, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon City and West Kowloon Cultural District. The route had 17 bus stops, specially set nearby tourist attractions en route. Once set off from Star Ferry Pier, the bus route will first visit the West Kowloon Cultural District, calling at M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum. At the Shanghai Street bus stop, tourists can see the old Yau Ma Tei Police Station, a big hit for travelers all around the world.

Continuing the journey the bus route travels through Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po before climbing up to Lung Cheung Road towards Wong Tai Sin. There tourists can set foot at Wong Tai Sin Temple, a famous temple that receives thousands of tours every day. Further east, Chi Lin Nunnery may also catch the eyes of tourists, before coming to Kowloon City, where the renowned Kowloon Walled City Park and Sung Wong Toi Garden, await completing the journey of Kowloon by a return to East Tsim Sha Tsui.

What's more

The bus route will initialize comfortable double-decker buses with wide seats and window blinds available (mainly Volvo B8Ls). With so many attractions that tourists can visit along the route, KMB has specially made a guide for them to easily organize where they want to go. The service runs at 30-minute intervals and the single ride fare is HK$19 (HK$5.1 for holders of KMB Monthly Passes). Customers with a Tourist Day Pass can even hop on and off for free on the day of purchase. The bus service operates from 10:00 to 18:00 on normal weekdays, and from 10:00 to 20:00 on weekends and public holidays.

Celebrating National Day: Public Transport Concessionaries for 1st October

Numerous transport operators announced that they will provide discounts or offer free travel on 1 October 2024, Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. This, and other promotional events, are aimed at bolstering the economy and creating the mood of National Day celebrations.

The details of each concessionary on that day are as follows:

A 25 percent fare discount will be provided by MTR for all passengers traveling on all MTR lines (excluding the Airport Express and East Rail Line first class), the Light Rail, and MTR Bus with Octopus Cards.
The four bus operators KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus, and NLB will offer free travel for children under 12 with a child Octopus Card (excluding Citybus routes with prefixes A, B, and H; plus six NLB routes that contain the prefix S).
The Tramways will provide free travel for all passengers, and it is sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Star Ferry's two ferry routes to and from Central or Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will be operated for free from 30 September to 2 October 2024, with sponsorship provided by the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association (HKCEA).
For those whose birthday is on 1 October, Fortune Ferry will provide free travel for them on the North Point—Kwun Tong—Kai Tak, Central to Hung Hom, and the Tuen Mun—Tung Chung—Sha Lo Wan—Tai O ferry routes. The passenger ferry operator will also distribute 750 free ride coupons for the North Point—Kwun Tong—Kai Tak and the Central to Hung Hom routes, which are only valid until 1 October.

Chill Fun with MTR: 45th-Anniversary Trainival in Central

Being part of the 45th-anniversary celebration events of MTR, the rail operator has organized and held a carnival in Central, the Chill Fun Trainival at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, from 25 to 29 September 2024. With so many exhibitions and attractions dedicated to amusing visitors, MTR wants to celebrate its memorable connections with the people of Hong Kong over the last 45 years.

The event is open for walk-in visits on 25 to 27 September, from 13:00 to 21:00. Reservations are required for the weekend sessions, two each on 28 and 29 September, both of which were fully booked. For most of the attractions, a token card is needed with 10 tokens each when purchased. Otherwise, onstage performances and gourmet selections provided at the event venue may also make this carnival a good place to go.

Event highlights

This event featured five main zones. In the venue, visitors may take photos of the 8-meter tall MTR train and the 3-meter high floating mascots, and share them with their friends. Fly high on the "T Chai" themed swing ride, or take a calm mini-train ride if the ride seems to be too scary.

For kids, the "New Rail Wonderland" slide and the "Rail + Community Maze" are where they want to go. Learn about new rail development in Hong Kong and how rail links communities and neighborhoods while enjoying minutes of fun.

Furthermore, the game booths specifically set at the event will also glue visitors alike. Try the claw machines for a chance to win a plush toy of T Chai and Friends. More event-exclusive souvenirs were also available, by simply taking a challenge for the title of "Game Master" and bringing the souvenirs home, as much as possible.

An exhibition of MTR vehicles was also a major hit with visitors. The first electric bus for MTR, Enviro500EV Z01, which was put into service in June 2024, and other rail maintenance vehicles, were showcased to the general public for the first time. Visitors can learn about how they contribute to the safe daily operation of MTR. They can also learn how to drive a train by trying on a cab simulator, specifically designed for Train Captain training.

On selected days, visitors can meet and greet T Chai and Friends, real-sized, and enjoy splendid stage performances with popular musicians and artists. For those feeling hungry, snack booths, operated by Original Taste Workshop, Swire Coca-Cola, and others, will fill their tummies.

Last but not least, the MTR e-Store sales booth offered a series of promotions for their souvenirs, sold at a cheaper price, from railway vehicle models to lifestyle products. MTR also designed six magnets that resemble the cab-front of the popular railway vehicles and can be purchased at the MTR e-Store and at selected MTR stations, available from 22 September to 5 October.

More pictures

8-meter-tall giant train
Fly with MTR
Chill Fun Rail Journey
Rail + Community Maze
MTR maintenance vehicles exhibition
MTR electric bus Z01
Performance stage
Pop-up Driving Cab Experience
Game booths
Game booths
Food booths
MTR e-Store booth

Other highlights for September 2024

During the weekend of 31 August and 1 September 2024, KMB's second Enviro500EV, AED2 (plate number ZF7332), ran two load tests simulating operations on bus routes 1A and B9 respectively. The bus was loaded full of employees and other volunteers during the two-day test, to evaluate the vehicle's handling characteristics and determine whether the type was suitable for daily, high-intensity operations. The same test was repeated on 11 September for route 1A.
Cathay Pacific's Airbus A350 went into trouble. On 2 September 2024, the airline company found defects in their A350s Rolls-Royce Trent engines and had to cut flights for further inspection of their entire fleet of 48 A350s.

Alexander Dennis showcased their latest bus type of the Enviro family, the Enviro100EV on 12-13 September 2024 during the ReThink HK - Sustainable Business Conference & Expo at the HKCEC, as an attempt to attract Hong Kong customers.

Citybus restored a Volvo Olympian, numbered 406 (plate number FY5560) to its initial condition when it was put into service in 1994. The bus was exhibited at the Exhibition Centre Station bus terminus on 15 September 2024, with a small exhibition that was part of the bus operator's 45th-anniversary celebration events.
MTR's East Rail Line was briefly disrupted when a man fell onto the tracks at Kowloon Tong Station platform 2 (towards Admiralty) at 12:47 on 16 September 2024, causing the suspension of train services between Tai Wai and Mong Kok East Stations. A free shuttle bus service was provided between the affected stations. Services were gradually resumed at 14:08 the same day.
The Transport Department announced a bus parade and exhibition held on 19-22 October 2024 in Central and Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, respectively. The bus exhibition tickets can be reserved here. This event is part of Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China.