A former rickshaw operator who became a tycoon dubbed 'the Father of Hong Kong Buses' has died aged 98.
Ngan Shing-kwan, who founded the China Motor Bus Company 68 years ago, died at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, a statement issued yesterday by the company said. He had been bedridden in hospital for three years. Ngan introduced the first buses to Hong Kong in the 1930s and brought in 'jumbo' double-deckers in the 1970s.
'The sharp criticism from many people of CMB in its final years [as a bus company] was not fair,' said the corporate communications general manager of New World First Bus, Kwan Chuk-fai. The firm's achievements in the past few decades had been dismissed, said Mr Kwan, who worked for CMB in 1990.
He said Ngan's introduction of jumbo double-deckers had improved the service enormously.
Ngan was chairman and managing director of CMB but over the past 10 years handed over the reins to his three children.
The company was established in 1933 after being granted an exclusive bus franchise licence for Hong Kong Island. It grew quickly and eventually expanded into property investment.
In August 1998 CMB lost its franchise to New World First Bus. At the time, it was plagued by labour disputes, complaints about poor service and speculation about the company's decision to venture into property.