CROSS-BORDER transport operators are increasing services to cope with demand over Lunar New Year.
Two Hong Kong-based operators, Citybus and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, are putting on new vehicles to carry extra passengers to Guangzhou.
It is believed the number of passengers will rise by at least eight per cent as people visit relatives in China.
Five luxury coaches are to arrive for Citybus' Guangzhou service by the end of January, in time for operations during the peak period, according to marketing and development manager Stuart Dobie.
The journey currently takes 31/2 hours, said Mr Dobie, but the new coaches might run about 30 minutes faster.
'They're specially designed for running on expressways. If this is successful, we will consider buying more,' he said.
The Volvo coaches will carry more than 70 passengers with sofa seats. There will be snacks and a toilet for the long journeys and the company is thinking of hiring hostesses to serve passengers on the air-conditioned coaches.
