KMB has lost its monopoly over bus routes in Kowloon and the New Territories for the first time since it began operations in 1933.
New World First Bus has won seven new routes in Tseung Kwan O, the Government announced yesterday. The routes will be introduced in phases from early 2000 to 2002, requiring 80 buses to carry up to 80,000 passengers a day.
First Bus operations director Mark Savelli said it was the first time the firm would have routes with their origins and destinations within the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories.
'We are very happy to see that the government policy of healthy competition is now being spread across the waters, having been successfully applied to Hong Kong Island over the past five years.' The company took over 88 Hong Kong Island and cross-harbour routes from China Motor Bus in September last year.
KMB, which did not bid for the Tseung Kwan O package, won six new bus routes in Tin Shui Wai.
'We feel there is greater development potential in Tin Shui Wai,' said commercial director Winnie Ng Wing-mui.