Milestones
1933
On 13 April 1933, Tang Shiu Kin, William Louey Sui Tak, Lui Leung, Tam Woon Tong and Lam Ming Fan established The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB), which was granted the right to operate franchised bus services in Kowloon and the New Territories. There were 106 small single-deck buses in the embryonic KMB bus fleet, offering two classes of seats, namely first class (with cushion) and second class (without cushion) wooden seats.
1941-46
By the time of the Japanese occupation in December 1941, KMB had 140 buses operating on 17 routes. With its buses requisitioned by the occupying force, KMB operations came to a virtual standstill, with just two routes still running in 1944. By February 1946, in order to resume a full service to the community as soon as possible, KMB converted some second-hand military trucks to carry passengers. At the same time, the class seating was abolished.
1949
After the war, the population of Hong Kong soared. To handle the increased demand for its services, KMB supplemented its fleet with 20 Daimler A buses from England, becoming in the process the first bus company to introduce double-deckers to Hong Kong.
1953-1954
KMB established bus stops on all its countryside routes on roads where previously passengers could get on or off buses as they wished. One year later, the Daimler A buses were fitted with front doorways and sliding metal gates, operated by conductors.
1955-59
Owing to a large influx of immigrants from the Mainland, the population has risen to 2.5 million, a more efficient transport system was required. This led to the further development of KMB routes in the urban Kowloon area, which by the end of the decade was home to 28 bus routes. During the late 1950s, KMB started its employee development programme, and designated experienced bus captains as driving instructors for trainee bus captains.
1961
In 1961, KMB was listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange (stock code 62) enabling further business expansion.
1965
A purpose built bus depot cum headquarters building was contructed in Po Lun Street, Lai Chi Kok, centralizing daily operations and bus servicing and maintenance.
1972
With the completion of the cross-harbour tunnel in 1972, the KMB network expanded into Hong Kong Island. In the same year, fare collection boxes were installed to replace conductors, with the bus captain in sole charge of the bus.
1975
KMB introduced the first of its new-style urban routes. This was followed by the first shuttle between Hong Kong’s International Airport (then at Kai Tak) and Central District on Hong Kong Island.
1979
In line with the government’s plans to develop New Towns, KMB expanded their network in the western New Territories, Tuen Mun Depot commencing operations in 1979.
1982
With the establishment of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) (merged into the MTR in 2007) in the 1980s, KMB's business underwent rapid growth, as it reorganised its route structure and introduced bus routes to connect with the railway services. In 1982, KMB introduced its first “express” routes (14X and 15X), designed to operate a point-to-point service.
1984
KMB’s Overhaul Centre, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest multi-story bus depot in the world, became operational.
1988
In 1988, the first air-conditioned double-deck buses were introduced by KMB, leading bus services into a new era. KMB also established its Bus Captain Training School at Sha Tin to provide comprehensive training for its bus captains.
1992
In 1992, KMB became the first public bus company in Hong Kong to install the environment-friendly Euro I bus engine, meeting the emission standards laid down by European countries.
1996
In 1996, KMB introduced the Euro II engine to its bus fleet. KMB was active in exploring and applying advanced technology to its bus facilities, including the Electronic Bus Stop Announcement system on buses, and electronic display panels and CCTV monitoring systems at bus termini.
In 1996, Long Win Bus Company Limited (LWB) was granted a franchise by the government to operate bus services to Hong Kong International Airport and Tung Chung New Town, commencing operations the following year.
1997
After restructuring in 1997, The Kowloon Motor Bus Holdings Limited was established and became the ultimate holding company of the KMB Group. It comprised five divisions: franchised public bus operations, non-franchised transport operations, China Mainland operations, non-transport operations, and internal financial services.
1998
First introduced for trials in 1996, super-low floor easy access double-deck buses have been part of KMB's fleet since 1998, improving accessibility for all passengers, particularly the disabled and elderly.
1999
In 1999, KMB became the first public bus company in Hong Kong to implement ISO quality systems throughout its entire organisation.
2000
In 2000, KMB had equipped all its buses with Octopus Card readers.
In the same year, KMB introduced Hong Kong's first Multi-media On-board (MMOB) buses offering infotainment to passengers.
2001
Since 2001, all KMB buses have been using ultra-low sulphur diesel – a milestone for the industry, as KMB became the operator of the largest bus fleet powered by green fuel in the Asia-Pacific. KMB also deployed the first bus in Hong Kong to be equipped with the Euro III engine.
In line with KMB’s commitment to adhere to the highest possible standards of quality and environmental management, Sha Tin Depot received ISO 14001 certification in 2001
To make it easier for passengers to identify boarding and alighting locations, all 4,000 KMB bus stops were given Chinese and English names.
2002
To enhance the waiting environment for our passengers, KMB built Hong Kong's first air-conditioned passenger waiting lounge at Lam Tin Bus Terminus in 2002. KMB also built Hong Kong's first cyber bus stops, providing bus route information, as well as news, weather forecasts, financial news and latest traffic conditions, through LED display panels and a public address system. The cyber bus stops also enable customers to access the KMB website via a microcomputer.
KMB also successfully developed the pioneering Eco-Driveline on buses. The new system improves engine efficiency and reduces exhaust emissions.
2003
KMB again made history by introducing two new bus models, namely the Wright Bus and the Super Bus, offering a new air-conditioning system with enhanced circulation inside the bus compartment, a wider bus saloon and entry way, and a revolutionary straight staircase. The new features provide passengers with a more comfortable interior environment and easier access to and from the upper deck.
KMB’s Tyre Retreading Plant, the largest tyre retreading operation in Hong Kong, marked the production of the 500,000th retreaded bus tyre in September 2003.As KMB’s new Lai Chi Kok Depot obtained ISO 14001 certification, KMB proved once more its firm commitment to operating in an environment-friendly manner.
2004
In 2004, the Electronic Terminus Management system was developed in-house by KMB to enable terminus supervisors to use Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) to record large volume of operational data. This system helps KMB enhance operational efficiency, as well as saving paper.
KMB introduced the world’s first state-of-the-art Super Single Tyre for double-deck buses resulting in wide ranging cost and efficiency advantages. This is another example of KMB’s commitment to improving bus services through the adoption of the most up-to-date products and technologies.
2005
In 2005, KMB introduced two Super-Intelligent buses, equipped with a fully-integrated electronic network system to enhance bus monitoring and maintenance and to make the bus journeys more comfortable for passengers. The specifications of these buses have been used as guidelines for future bus purchases.
KMB once again lead the industry by introducing the “Enhanced” air-conditioning system on its new buses. Combining heating and cooling systems, intelligent temperature control and a viable compressor, the system monitors and controls the temperature and humidity inside buses, resulting in greater comfort for passengers.
The Kowloon Motor Bus Holdings Limited was renamed Transport International Holdings Limited, demonstrating the Group's vision to become a world-class public transport innovator in the Greater China region.
2006
In 2006, KMB was granted a new franchise by the Government to continue the provision of franchised public bus services. KMB became the first public transport company in Hong Kong to introduce the Digital Map Passenger Enquiry System at the multi-media kiosks in its customer service centres, providing a convenient way for passengers to find their way to their destinations.
KMB led the industry again by introducing Asia’s first two Euro IV environment-friendly double-deck buses to Hong Kong.
2007
In 2007, KMB’s four main depots at Kowloon Bay, Lai Chi Kok, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun were certified by the Hong Kong Q-Mark Council of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries as meeting the prescribed Hong Kong Green Mark Standard for the provision of franchised bus services, as well as the maintenance and repair of buses. The certification recognised KMB’s excellence in environmental management.
KMB’s first boundary service, Route B1, running between Yuen Long West Rail Station and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Bus Terminus, was launched. This new route has enabled KMB to expand its bus service to meet the growing demand for transport between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
To facilitate passengers’ search for route information at bus stops and to cope with the increasing number of bus routes stopping at a single bus stop, KMB introduced multi-sided, rotating route information bus stop panels, which provide more space for displaying route information than the original panels.
2008
In 2008, KMB adopted the newly introduced "Euro V Diesel" in its bus fleet. The sulphur content of Euro V Diesel is only 0.001%, which is five times lower than the sulphur content of ultra-low sulphur diesel.
KMB was the first enterprise in Hong Kong to participate in the fluorescent tube recycling campaign. By 2008, it had successfully collected the 200,000th fluorescent tube, thus dramatically reducing the impact of solid waste on the environment. KMB also implemented green procurement. By means of an E-tendering system developed in-house, paper consumption has been greatly reduced in the tendering process. KMB also takes environmental concerns into consideration when purchasing materials and services, so that KMB avoids purchasing materials which may harm the natural environment.
2009
KMB introduced Asia’s first double-deck bus with a Euro V engine. By effectively reducing the emissions of nitrogen oxides, the Euro V engine meets the latest and toughest emission standards in the world, contributing to a cleaner environment.
2010
KMB introduces the Hong Kong’s first Euro V two-axle E-friendly bus to Hong Kong. Apart from the installation of the most advanced Euro V engine, the KMB Euro V two-axle E-friendly bus is also the first double-deck air-conditioned bus in Hong Kong with a two-axle design, combining the latest technology with enhanced environment-friendly features. This represents a major milestone in Hong Kong’s bus development.
