Twenty-three city buses swing around a local traffic roundabout in one hour - only five people get on the buses, and just six hop off. One resident would like the government to do the maths.
Gilles Demaneuf and other Chung Hom Kok residents are urging officials to reduce the number of buses that travel down a 150-metre stretch of Chung Hom Kok Road, then circle a roundabout and motor back up the same strip again.
The residents say the 6, 6X, 63, 65, 66 and 973 buses are not in demand, and the diesel vehicles cause noise and air pollution, and escalating safety fears. 'You have to just have bus traffic that corresponds to what you need,' Demaneuf said.
The financial adviser, 41, estimates 48 buses use the Chung Hom Kok Beach roundabout per hour at evening peak time - which equals 96 bus trips along the 150-metre stretch every 60 minutes. The buses, which are travelling to and from city destinations, visit the small, sloping road at least 350 times a day for an approximate total of 700 passes, he added.
The roundabout stops were the closest to Chung Hom Kok Beach, Demaneuf said, but not many people went there, especially in winter when the beach is closed, or on weekdays.
Demaneuf has circulated newsletters; gained the support of more than 20 other people; created a website; and reached out to Chan Lee Pui-ying, a member of the Southern District Council, the Transport Department and sister companies New World First Bus Services (NWFB) and Citybus Ltd.