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KMB’s new red and silver buses to greet Hongkongers by end of June

City’s biggest bus operator says first batch of 70 double-deckers will start operating by then, but actual launch date has not been set

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The roofs of the new buses feature an outline of the city’s skyscrapers, along with the slogan “Heartbeat of the City”. Photo: Edward Wong

The city’s biggest bus operator has rolled out a new batch of double-deckers in a bold red and silver ­livery with USB ports, free Wi-fi services and live information about seats available upstairs.

For the past two decades, Kowloon Motor Bus Company (KMB) vehicles have come in a champagne hue.

In response to speculation that the new look was inspired by red London buses, KMB said it had come up with the design.

“We named the red ‘City Red’,” said Gary Leung Ling-yin, a financial analyst turned KMB bus driver. “The colour symbolises the vitality of Hong Kong.”
The new buses will come with free Wi-fi services. Photo: Edward Wong
The new buses will come with free Wi-fi services. Photo: Edward Wong

The vehicles also feature an outline of the city’s skyscrapers, with the slogan “Heartbeat of the City”. Leung said 70 of the buses would be on the road by the end of the month, but a launch date had yet to be set.

The latest additions to the fleet will follow the routes of three current services, 1A, 978 and 960, which cover most parts of the city, including the heart of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Jane Li
Jane Li is a reporter covering China’s economy and social trends. She graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a master's degree in journalism. Prior to SCMP, she worked for Bloomberg Businessweek and her stories have featured in MSNBC, Quartz and the Financial Times’ Chinese site.
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