Aberdeen Maxicab Service Company Limited ("AMS") officially launched its Cyberport green minibus service today, shuttling passengers between the information technology hub and Eastern District using six new environmentally-friendly public light buses.
The official launch ceremony for this service was officiated by Mr. Robert Footman, JP, Commissioner for Transport; Hon. Miriam Lau Kin-yee, JP, Legislative Councillor; Mr. Yeung Ka-sing, JP, Chairman of Quality Public Light Bus Services Steering Committee; Mr. Lau Kwok-choi, JP, District Officer (Southern); Mrs. Betty Fung, Cyberport Coordinator; and Mr. Wong Man-kit, Chairman of AMS. Together they unveiled the new route, which is serviced by state-of-the-art vehicles.
This service is one of the first franchised routes to be jointly established by a developer and minibus operator. The Cyberport vehicles offer some unique features completely new to public light buses:
1) LCD above the driver displaying the route and fare
2) Luggage rack
3) Anti-slip floor
4) Uniformed bus drivers with individual name plates
Other characteristics of the Cyberport minibus which help to enhance passenger safety and comfort include an automatic sliding door; a longer vehicle with more space between seats as well as higher back support for passengers; and tightly sealing windows to reduce outside noise and enhance air-conditioning efficiency. All six minibuses are painted with the Cyberport logo for easy identification. Video facilities will be installed later to upgrade passenger entertainment.
The #69 Cyberport green minibus makes its way through Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Causeway Bay, Tin Hau, Fortress Hill and North Point to Hoi Chak Street in Quarry Bay. The whole journey takes about 40 minutes. Since the minibus uses the Aberdeen Tunnel, it only takes about 15 minutes to travel from Cyberport to the commercial shopping district of Causeway Bay. The minibus departs every 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring that passengers do not need to wait long.
Mr. Robert Footman, Commissioner for Transport, said, "The upgraded Green Minibus service will not only improve the transport services of Cyberport. They will also set a brilliant prototype for the public light bus industry in Hong Kong. I look forward to seeing more upgraded Green Minibus services in the future; and hope that this new Green Minibus service will be well accepted by the Cyberport tenants as well as the general public."
Mrs. Betty Fung, Cyberport Coordinator, said, "The introduction of the green minibus service greatly enhances the speed, comfort and flexibility of travelling to and from Cyberport. Thanks to AMS, the mini buses deployed to this route are the first of its kind in Hong Kong, not only in terms of their appearance but also the special features they possess, which make them fully commensurate with the image of Cyberport, Hong Kong's IT flagship project. Since its soft-launch in January, the service has been well-received by Cyberport tenants and their visitors. We shall strive to strengthen the public transport services for our tenants and visitors."
Mr. Wong Man-kit, Chairman of AMS, added, "AMS has established a solid track record in Southern District for more than 20 years. In partnership with our industry peers, we are committed to upgrading our service quality, keeping in mind passenger safety and comfort. It is our privilege to be able to serve Cyberport and we believe that through our six stylish new minibuses with their technologically advanced features we have reached new heights of service excellence, contributing to the healthy growth of the public light bus industry."