bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

New World First Bus (NWFB), the SAR's newest bus operator, has five job openings as the company prepares to begin service on September 1.

  In March, the company successfully bid for a five-year franchise, securing the operating rights to 88 public bus routes currently operated by China Motor Bus (CMB).

  NWFB has pledged to invest $2 billion to purchase 500 new buses and to retain CMB's 2,300 employees, as well as build a new depot in Chai Wan and replace bus shelters within two years. It has also promised to freeze existing fares for a year.

  The company was set up in March as a joint venture between New World Services and British bus operator FirstGroup.

  New World Services, a subsidiary of property giant New World Development, holds a 74 per cent share in the venture.

  Kwan Chuk-fai, NWFB assistant general manager of corporate communications, said the awarding of the franchise marked a new era in public transport.

    The company will operate 59 routes on Hong Kong Island and 29 cross-harbour routes.

  'We see Hong Kong as a growth market. About 87 per cent of Hong Kong households do not have cars and they rely on public transport,' said Mr Kwan who contended people would use a service that was reliable, safe and comfortable.

  'We will be under public scrutiny but we have a firm commitment to set new standards for our customers. That is our objective.'   Mr Kwan said that, even though the company was a new operator, it had solid managerial experience for running a bus service.

  FirstGroup, one of Britain's largest bus operators, was brought in to provide technical expertise. It operates more than 8,700 buses in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Last year, the company had an operating profit of GBP73.7 million (about HK$927.15 million) and a 22 per cent market share.

  Mr Kwan said NWFB had placed an order for 244 buses - all but 42 double deckers - with the Dennis Group of Britain.

   It was also negotiating with CMB to either buy or lease some buses because it could not have 500 buses operating by September 1.

  He said the company needed about 600 buses and, as new buses were acquired during the next two years, older models would be phased out.

  A new double decker costs about $3 million.

  All new buses will have air-conditioning and facilities for the disabled, as well as two-way radios and smart-card payment readers.

  'The public has great expectations of what bus services should be and we are actively seeking their input,' Mr Kwan said.

  'From next month, we will have a Web site and a telephone hotline.

  'We want their ideas before the service starts to make the changes necessary.

  'Our drivers will also be retrained before we start the service in such aspects as safety and attitude training.

 'We would like to have a new corporate culture focusing on service because our slogan is customers first.'   The company has three vacancies in the computer area and other positions in accounting and administration.

  A systems analyst is required for the overall planning, design, development and implementation of a data processing system, and handling maintenance and enhancements.

  A degree in computer sciences is required and four years relevant experience, with exposure to system design and project management.

  A network engineer is needed to head a small team to handle networking projects, which include defining computer and network configuration standards and network topology.

  The team will be required to provide support for office computer and network systems, including the company's e-mail system.

  Knowledge of WindowsNT, TCP/IP, MS-Exchange and experience in supporting a system with more than 100 users is required.

  The other computer opening is for an analyst programmer.

   Candidates should have a degree in computer science and two years database programming experience with Visual Basic, Visual C++ or Powerbuilder.

  An accountant is required to analyse and interpret financial data. Applicants should have ACMA/ACCA qualifications and five years experience, at least two of them in management accounting with an established organisation.

  An administration manager is needed to oversee administration, assist in secretarial services and supervise the processing of motor vehicle insurance and claims. The position requires a degree plus five years relevant experience.

  NWFB employees work a 5.5-day week and receive a 13-month salary. Benefits include 11 days annual leave, medical coverage, contributory provident fund, free transportation and an education allowance for children.



Company's franchise marks new era