Hong Kong’s first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus to hit streets on Sunday

Hong Kong’s first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus will hit the streets on Sunday, the first of what Citybus intends will be a full-fleet of the zero-emission vehicles in operation by 2045.

Citybus director of operations and engineering Vincent Fung said on Friday the eco-friendly bus would run on the “Waterloo Road Line”, route 20 travelling through the Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po.

“This is the first time in Hong Kong’s history that a hydrogen bus hits the city’s roads to provide service for passengers,” he said. “We expect that Citybus will operate a full fleet of zero-emission buses before 2045.”

The company’s target is five years ahead of the government’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

“We will seek to progressively expand its schedule of service in order to widen the opportunity to see it operating in different areas and enrich our customers’ hydrogen experience,” Fung added.

The bus will initially make six to eight trips daily along the route in its first month before being transferred to other districts.

The bus, which generates zero roadside emissions, underwent a 200km (124-mile) test at the company’s West Kowloon depot and completed multiple refuelling operations at the city’s first hydrogen refill station, according to the company.

Citybus has also launched a training programme for engineers and drivers to ensure the safe operation of both the vehicle and refuelling station, with the first batch having already completed the course.