New crown pneumonia | KMB: Under the epidemic, the number of passengers on some outing routes rose by nearly one million per day

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Written by: Huang Weilun

2021-01-23 00:00

Last update date: 2021-01-23 00:00

Under the new crown pneumonia epidemic, citizens have reduced travel and the transportation industry has also been greatly affected.

KMB said that in 2020, the average daily passenger volume will be reduced by about 900,000 year-on-year, down by about 30% year-on-year; Long Win's passenger volume has dropped by more than 50%.

The public cannot switch to local travel. KMB said that the passenger volume of certain outing routes has not fallen but increased. For example, the passenger volume of 275R passing through Bride's Pool and 96R to Huangshi Wharf have both increased, becoming "a wonder under the epidemic."

For the convenience of passengers, KMB will enhance the "live chat" function on the app to guide passengers on how to get to their destinations. It also intends to study adding temporary routes to outing hotspots, such as the popular Fanling Liushui Reservoir. And Sai Kung Wangi Reservoir area.

In addition, KMB had previously reported layoffs of at least 40 people. KMB emphasized that the situation is only a constant internal inspection and manpower adjustment. Those who left their jobs include security, graphic designers and clerks.

Although it is currently recording a loss, KMB has still hired new employees in the past year and has promised not to reduce the number of captains.

As for whether it will apply for further fare increases, KMB emphasized that it had applied for fare increases in 2018 and believes that the government "must have an answer" this year.

Leung Lingyan, head of the KMB's vehicle planning department, pointed out that the average daily passenger volume of KMB in 2019 was 2.9 million, but due to the impact of the epidemic, the average daily passenger volume fell sharply to 2.01 million last year, a daily decrease of nearly 900,000 , Fell by about 30% year-on-year.

When the second and third waves of the epidemic broke out, the passenger flow once dropped to 1.6 million people. In the current fourth wave, the passenger volume has stabilized to about 2 million. It is estimated that it may be a long holiday such as Christmas and there are many citizens. Going out related.

Leung Lingyan continued that he noticed that some routes were affected by the epidemic, such as the route from Yuen Long to Sheung Shui. In the past, many people would take the KMB from Yuen Long to Sheung Shui and then transfer to Lo Wu to the mainland.

However, due to the suspension of the cross-border railway, the passenger flow of this line fell by about 40%.

As for Longyun, he said that the average daily passenger volume in 2019 was 130,000, but last year it dropped to about 60,000, a drop of more than 50%.

Under the epidemic, citizens’ travel habits have also changed. Leung Lingyan pointed out that combining the data of the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019, it is found that the afternoon peak hours for citizens’ travel are one hour earlier, from 6 pm to 7 pm in the past, to 5 pm Time to 6 o'clock.

He estimated that this may be related to measures such as the ban on night markets in restaurants; and the number of passengers after 9pm has fallen more than the overall rate, which can exceed 50%.

Plan to open temporary suburban routes to help citizens go to hot spots

Although the public has reduced travel, KMB Communications and Public Affairs Director Lin Zihao revealed that the passenger volume of some routes has not fallen but increased. For example, the passenger volume of 275R passing Bridal Pool has increased by about 10 to 20%; 96R to Sai Kung Wong Shek Pier, The number of passengers has also increased, describing the situation as "a strange flower in the epidemic."

Leung Lingyan also pointed out that even if it is not a holiday, the number of passengers on the suburban parade mountain routes to Tai Mo Shan, Sai Kung, etc., has increased, and even overtime is required.

Seeing the increase in the number of tourists in the suburbs, Lin Zihao said that KMB will produce e-books to promote outings, and will strengthen the "real-time chat" function in the KMB app, and set up an internal support group to help answer questions about public rides.

Leung Lingyan pointed out that many of the employees are "traffic fans" and can provide various suggestions for destinations, including alternatives other than KMB, to facilitate the public.

Lin also pointed out that he would study the possibility of opening temporary routes to hotspots for picnics, such as the recently popular hotspots in Fanling Liushuixiang and Sai Kung Wanyi Reservoir.

▼1.9 "Hong Kong version of Karuizawa" Fanling water rushes people ▼

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Lin Zihao continued that as the overall passenger volume recorded a decline last year, KMB will suffer losses this year.

Regarding the recent layoffs of about 40 people, Lin admitted that security, graphic designers, clerks and other positions have indeed resigned recently, but emphasized that the measures are only constant internal inspections and manpower adjustments, describing "there are some people, such as a type of job. It's suitable again."

He continued that KMB still hired more than 100 new employees last year and promised that "the captain will not be depressed."

Regarding whether to apply for a fare increase, Lin Zihao said that KMB had submitted an application for fare increase in September 2018, but it has not yet been approved.

He continued to point out that during the epidemic, many minibus lines and the Star Ferry had been approved to increase fares, thinking that the government "needs an answer."

He also said that the government subsidized the MTR to provide a 20% discount arrangement, which may make people accustomed to interchange to the MTR, and frankly said that it is also a big challenge to other public transport companies.

In addition, as the Lunar New Year is approaching, KMB will successively distribute 1 million sets of Chinese New Year of the Ox at nearly 100 locations in Hong Kong starting from Sunday (24th), including the KMB large bus terminal and interchange stations.

KMB has also produced communication software Signal and WhatsApp versions of KMB New Year's stickers (stickers), which will be available for download on Monday (25th). For details, please refer to the KMB Facebook page.

KMB stated that it will distribute one million sets of Chinese New Year Chinese New Year of the Ox at nearly 100 locations in Hong Kong on Sunday (24th), including the KMB large bus terminal and transfer station.

(Photo by Huang Weilun)

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