New era for transport giant

Lorraine Chiang

People will no longer see buses with the New World First Bus logo on the road, as the company merges with Citybus today.

The logo of NWFB's customer service center has already been replaced with the new Citybus logo.

Citybus general manager of operation Roger Ma said the merger went smoothly and the company can utilize resources flexibly - including bus drivers, mechanics, vehicles and facilities - to create synergies to deliver improved services.

Ma added: "For example, there were two similar routes. We combined those two routes and increased the operation frequency. We saw the passenger volume increase. It's a win-win situation."

After the merger, he said the bus company can make more flexible arrangements in situations like traffic jams or when a bus breaks down, minimizing the impact to passengers.

Asked if there will be a fare hike again after the merger, Ma said fee adjustment has "no direct relationship" with the merger. Fares would be determined according to established procedures, operation situations and costs, he added.

NWFB saw its final departure at 1.30am today by route 970X from Cheung Sha Wan (Kom Tsun Street) bus terminus to Aberdeen, marking the end of its 25-year operation journey.

Some bus enthusiasts queued up at the Cheung Sha Wan bus station yesterday afternoon, some 10 hours before its last ride, for a final look at the NWFB bus.

The first bus departure of the newly merged Citybus franchise was scheduled for 4am today at route N8P, from Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) public transport terminus to Harbour Road in Wan Chai.

The company said it will keep an eye out on operations after the merger and manage crowds and enhance services when needed.

Newly designed lanyards printed with the new Citybus logo have been distributed to staff, while logo pins have been given to former NWFB drivers to cover the original NWFB logos on their original uniforms until the new Citybus uniforms are distributed at a later date.

The company also displayed its new paint coat designs at the Central Harbourfront last month.

Ma said: "Changing paint coats of over 1,000 buses takes time, so the old NWFB paint coats will still be seen for a while."

And as there are a few thousand bus stop signs, NWFB bus signs will also still be around for the next few months.