KMB applies to build an 11-storey e-bus depot in Tuen Mun

The Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd applied to the Town Planning Board to develop free area near the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link into an 11-storey depot for electric buses. 

The 11-storey depot with a floor area of around 7,926 square meters is expected to provide parking space for 406 electric buses, according to documents submitted to the Board. 

It is expected that KMB will expand its electric bus fleet on a large scale and promote the eBus strategy more efficiently. 

KMB in the document explained that government requested it to return its Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai running depot by the end of 2021 to cope with housing problem. The government in return will let KMB use Site A, B and C at the northbound and southbound of the original toll plaza of Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Lok Link. 

While the government waived the toll fees for using the new Tunnel of the Link, the toll arrangement is no longer required and the sites are then freed up for other purpose. 

The bus company, with support of Transport Department, then proposed to build a permanent 11-storey depot for electric bus at Site A, with an area of 7,926 square meters. Part of Site B will be used for a 2-storey power substation while Site C will be used for charging-enabling bus parking bays only. 

Building the new depot aims to modernize depot facilities and sufficient charging facilities to cater for electric bus strategy, and it will support the Roadmap on Popularization of Electric Vehicles released by Environment Bureau, KMB said. 

The new bus depot could provide 406 charging-enabling bus parking bays as well, the bus company added.  

The depot can consolidate overnight termini or on-street bus parking at New Territories West into one large scale permanent depot to enhance operational efficiency and bus security and relieve public nuisance, KMB also said. 

New depot with tailor-designed charging facilities and abundant power supply is the basic requirement for the promotion of eBus strategy, according to KMB. 

It also confirmed from CLP that sufficient power supply can be provided for the new site, and the design will well cater for bigger parking space.