Air-con affordable

BUS fares on two routes will be cheaper today after Citybus takes over 14 former China Motor Bus (CMB) routes.

Fares on air-conditioned route 592 to South Horizons have been slashed from $5.40 to $4.10 and on route 11, from Central to Jardines' Lookout, commuters will pay $5.30 instead of the CMB price of $5.40, according to Mark Savelli, south division manager.

CMB had run air-conditioned 592 buses but Citybus was able to drop the price as its air-conditioned fare premium was lower than CMB's, Mr Savelli said.

'CMB's premium has been higher than the Citybus premium, which is one of the benefits we will be bringing to commuters.

'Citybus wants to make air-conditioned services accessible to everyone and decided it could afford to slash fares on the two routes.

'The bus company's pledge is to offer commuters air-conditioned services throughout the territory at a reasonable price.' Fare reductions were part of the company's plan to make air-conditioned bus travel the number one form of transport in the territory.