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SCMP Reporter

The 75K bus which runs between Tai Po KCR Station and Tai Mei Tuk, is unreliable.

 I moved to Ting Kok Village three months ago and I soon noticed that the bus service only followed the timetable for a certain period of time during the day.

 The service is acceptable during rush hours in weekdays.

 However, passengers who follow KMB's timetable (issued in January) will end up being disappointed after 9am, or at weekends.

 I can understand the economic principle behind the transport arrangement, at intervals of 15 or up to 25 minutes, for village residents along Ting Kok Road, given that it is a sparsely populated area. This would not be a problem if the bus company could follow the schedule, which is a very important condition for being a good public transport service provider.

 On several occasions when I have waited for the bus having consulted the timetable, I find that the company has changed its times.

 I have already noticed on Saturdays, that from 10.52am to 12.42pm, buses going from Tai Mei Tuk to Tai Po KCR Station, only come at 20-minute intervals, and after 12.42 at 15-minute intervals. However, one Saturday, I stood at the bus-stop outside Ting Kok Village at around 12.30pm, but did not see a bus until 1.05pm.

 The same thing happened on another Saturday morning. At around 11.30am, I stood at the bus-stop, again for at least 30 minutes, before it arrived. I had to wait for the same period of time for the return journey at the KCR station.

 On March 18, I got to the stop at 11.15pm bus to wait for the scheduled 11.19 bus. The 11.19 never arrived.

 I waited for 15 minutes and got the last bus home.

 Things get worse at weekends when large numbers of people head for Tai Mei Tuk for relaxation.

 Consequently, it is impossible to get on any bus at the KCR station on Sunday afternoons.

 The only public transport provider for villagers living along Ting Kok Road is KMB and the only bus is the No 75K. We are therefore completely dependent on KMB and expect it to provide a smooth and efficient service.

 So, it is very frustrating when you find yourself in a situation where you are helpless. You have no choice but to wait for the bus.

 What makes it worse is that the buses are in a parlous state.

 Clearly, KMB has done a lot to improve the links between Tai Po and urban districts in Kowloon, as can be seen with the new services and new vehicles - routes 271, 72X, 74X, 75X, and many others. Is KMB going to do a bit to serve the minorities living in villages, even on those not very profitable routes? I sincerely hope that KMB, being a responsible public transport service provider, can react to our needs in the New Territories.

 ELLEN SO New Territories 



Not sticking to timetable