Hong Kong’s first double-decker electric bus started trial operations yesterday, operating the Citybus Route 5B from Eastern Hospital Road Hong Kong Stadium bus terminus to Kennedy Town.
“With the electric double-deck bus and later the first hydrogen fuel cell double-deck bus, we can run these new energy buses in parallel to gather valuable operational data that can assist the government in the formulation of a comprehensive zero-emission transformation plan,” said Roger Ma, general manager for operation, Citybus and New Word First Bus.
The city’s first electric double-decker bus will later be deployed in Kowloon to operate Citybus Route 20, 20A and 22M that run from Kai Tak to Tai Kok Tsui, Tsim Sha Tsui and Tok Kwa Wan, subject to approval of the Transport Department.
The construction of the bus is a joint project between Bravo Transport Services – the parent company of Citybus and New World First Bus – and Wisdom (Fuijian) Motor Company. They worked closely from the concept, to design, to production, with a focus on enabling the bus to handle the city's topography and operating environment.
The bus will undergo a series of rigorous internal tests before completing the Transport Department's official vehicle inspection. The actual service operations will be announced in due course.
Bravo is committed to operate a full-fledge of zero-emission buses across its operations by 2045, five years head of the Hong Kong government carbon neutrality target. Currently, the company operates over 1,700 buses across Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories and carries over one million passengers daily.
