KMB Bus Captain of the Year Competition Finals

45 KMB elite bus captains gathered at KMB Sha Tin Depot to compete for the championship in the KMB Bus Captain of the Year Competition Finals in this afternoon (22 February 2009). While the competition was proceeding, more than 20,000 people enjoyed all the fun of the carnival with a variety of entertainments and a historical bus display.

Mr. Edmond Ho, KMB's Managing Director, said, "Being one of the largest employers in Hong Kong, KMB always gives emphasis to human resources training. By means of training, motivating and rewarding, staff commitment to the provision of quality service can be reinforced, a proactive corporate culture for continuous improvement can be developed, and a professional working team can be built up by our concerted efforts. Since our 8,000 bus captains interact on their own with our customers at the front line every day, their performance directly affects customers’ satisfaction with KMB services. Thus we invest heavily in bus captain training to reinforce their sense of safe driving and quality customer service.”

The finalists were tested on every aspect of a bus captain's abilities, including judgement, discernment and accuracy, being required to manoeuvre buses of different lengths around obstacles and along simulated narrow roads, as well as stop them with precision. The bus captains also took part in a quiz on the safe operation of buses, road safety regulations and knowledge of passenger safety.

At the carnival, various types of KMB buses were on display for the enjoyment of the public and for photo opportunities. These included Hong Kong's first double-deck bus with a history of sixty years. Hong Kong's first Euro V bus, KMB’s first air-conditioned double-deck bus, an open-top bus and training buses. In addition to the bus display, there were marching band performances, dance performances and clown shows, as well as a variety of interesting games and activities, including bouncy castles and a photo-taking area.

To recognize the outstanding performance of the winners, Mr. Edmond Ho, KMB's Managing Director, awarded a trophy and a cash prize to the overall champion at the award presentation ceremony, while the other winners were also presented with trophies and cash prizes.

Mr. Ho said, "Today’s winners, who stand out from a number of outstanding KMB candidates, are worthy of the title of “Bus Captain of the Year”. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all winning bus captains, and to encourage all our bus captains to keep on working hard in the face of the fierce competition in the public transport industry. In line with our corporate motto, 'KMB, moving forward every day', we believe that the excellent service of our bus captains can keep our buses the preferred mode of public transport in Hong Kong."

Winners of the KMB Bus Captain of the Year Competition Finals
 

Mr. Edmond Ho, KMB's Managing Director, awards a trophy and cash prize to overall champion Mr. Kwong Shui Wah at the award presentation ceremony of KMB Bus Captain of the Year Competition Finals

The Award Presentation Ceremony of Bus Captain of the Year Competition Finals was officiated by Mr. Edmond Ho, KMB Managing Director and other KMB senior management staff.