TUEN Mun and Yuen Long residents will have a wider choice of public transport when buses begin operating in Light Rail Transit (LRT) service areas next month.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) had agreed to lift the bus restrictions, but estimated that this would cost it 10 per cent of the LRT's passengers and $300 million by 2006.
KCRC chairman Mr Kevin Hyde said the company might seek compensation from the Government, depending on the actual losses.
The Legislative Council Transport Panel was told about the review by the Transport Branch and KCRC on the impact of lifting the ban, which has been in place since LRT services started in 1988.
Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport, Mr Isaac Chow Yiu-nam, said Tuen Mun District Board supported the end of the ban. It would take effect on June 1 if it was backed by Yuen Long District Board, which would be consulted on May 17.
The Transport Department promised the panel to ask bus companies to improve their drivers.
