New crown pneumonia | KMB's overall passenger volume has dropped by 10%, and luck has dropped by 50%. Try not to lay off staff or reduce wages

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Written by: Huang Weilun

2020-11-13 23:50

Last update date: 2020-11-13 23:50

Under the new crown pneumonia epidemic, citizens have reduced their travel and the transportation industry has been hit hard.

KMB said today (13th) that although the current bus frequency has generally returned to normal, the overall passenger volume has only fallen by 10% compared to before the epidemic. However, the passenger volume of Long Win, which involves airport routes, has dropped by nearly 50%.

KMB stated that the government's job-guarantee program is coming to an end, and there may not be another round of subsidies. It said frankly that the business situation is difficult, "I don't know how long it will endure," but it will try its best not to lay off employees or reduce salaries.

KMB also said that after the opening of the MTR Tuen Ma Line, the passenger flow of the bus routes on the relevant sections has dropped by 40%. It will consider reducing the frequency or reducing the operation of more than 10 buses, but it is still subject to approval by the Transport Department.

Leung Lingyan (Left), Head of KMB's Car Planning Department, Lin Zihao, Head of Communications and Public Affairs Department of KMB (Right) (Photo by Huang Weilun)

KMB receives additional subsidies of 326 million yuan under the Employment Supplementary Program

Leung Lingyan, the head of the KMB's vehicle planning department, said that due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the number of passengers fell sharply. During the third wave of the epidemic, the overall number of passengers fell by 40%. However, the passenger flow has rebounded and the frequency of flights has generally returned to normal. The number of passengers in Pakistan is only 10% less than before the epidemic.

However, he also pointed out that the Long Win Bus, which operates the airport route, has a shortage of passengers and the number of passengers in and out of the airport has dropped by nearly 50%.

KMB received a subsidy of 326 million yuan in the most recent phase of the employment compensation plan. However, the government has announced earlier that it has no intention of launching the next round of employment protection plan.

KMB Communications and Public Affairs Department Director Lin Zihao said that under the epidemic situation, KMB's operation is difficult. With reduced passenger flow, staff salaries accounted for 75% of KMB's income. With the loss of the job-replacement plan, I believe it will be more difficult to operate. I know how long I will endure," but I will try my best not to lay off staff or cut salaries.

The first phase of the Tuen Ma Line grabs passengers to study the bus frequency reduction

The first phase of the MTR Tuen Ma Line was opened to traffic in February this year. After the opening of the railway line in the past, the related bus lines were affected.

Lin Zihao said that some bus routes, such as those between Ma On Shan and Diamond Hill, have dropped by 40% after being opened to traffic. The KMB will study reducing the frequency of buses, or reduce the number of buses by more than a dozen buses, and transfer the relevant buses to other busy areas. , But it is subject to approval by the Transport Department.

As for the two-way segmented charging plan launched in August, Liang Lingyan said that thousands of citizens use it every day, and the implementation is smooth for the time being without complaints.

He added that he has received feedback from multiple district boards and citizens that he hopes that the plan can be expanded to include Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O, etc. KMB will study it and require approval from the Transport Department. There is no timetable yet.

However, KMB also pointed out that a discount machine was set up in the Mei Foo Manfang shopping mall earlier. After taking an Octopus card, the public can deduct 2 yuan for the next trip. It is planning to install a discount machine in other places.

KMB stated that a discount machine was set up in the Mei Foo Mall earlier. After taking an Octopus card, the public can get a deduction of 2 yuan for the next trip. It is planning to install a discount machine in other places.

(Provided by KMB)

In addition, this year the government proposed to revise the upper limit of the number of people standing per square metre on the bus compartment, from 6 to 4 people.

Lin Zihao said that the KMB ordered 34 new buses in response to the new guidelines and expected to be paid by the middle of next year.

He also said that he has applied to the Transport Department for bidding for 15 single-deck electric buses and expects to pay next year.

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