MTR Feeder Bus

The MTR Corporation "(MTRC)" is a Hong Kong railway company which also operates the MTR Feeder Bus (previously known as KCR Feeder Bus) routes in order to complement its rail systems. Currently, MTRC operates 20 feeder bus routes.

Operation

MTRC provides feeder bus services for the convenience of passengers using MTR rail networks. The routes provide access to and between many MTR stations for thousands of passengers everyday. The MTRC's integrated fare system also allows East Rail, West Rail and Light Rail passengers who use Octopus cards to enjoy the free feeder bus services that link many housing estates to HK-MTR lines|East Rail, HK-MTR lines|West Rail and HK-MTR lines|Light Rail stations.

The Corporation operates a total of 15 routes, including West Rail Line and Light Rail feeder bus services, residential routes and express routes, as well as an additional 5 East Rail Line feeder routes operated under Kowloon Motor Bus's franchise. Most of these routes are located in the New Territories.

Franchised routes

These routes are operated by KCR feeder buses, but the franchise goes to KMB.

It should be noted that passengers who take the HK-MTR lines|West Rail or HK-MTR lines|East Rail to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station or Nam Cheong Station can enjoy a free interchange to either station on route K16.

Non-franchised routes

These routes are not franchised routes, but other bus companies were not allowed to run similar local routes in the northwestern New Territories. The restriction was lifted in 2006.

Fleet

The MTR Bus fleet comprises 143 buses, which provide service for 19 hours every day.

The current fleet is all composed of air-conditioned buses, types include:

* Dennis Trident
* Leyland Olympian
* Volvo Olympian
* Volvo B10M
* Mitsubishi MK117J
* Dennis Dart
* Alexander Dennis Enviro500
* Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart

Between 2002 and 2003, KCRC hired 8 buses from Citybus, and 35 from New World First Bus between 2003 and 2004, for rail replacement services due to the suspension of Light Rail routes 505 and 506. In late 2004, KCRC acquired 53 Dennis Tridents from New World First Bus.

Further 20 new buses will be arrived in the fourth quarter of 2007 and 2008, which will see 9 Alexander Dennis Enviro500s [http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/corporate/news_centre/press_release/2007/nov/upload/ERE071128A.htm] and 11 Enviro200 Darts. The 11 Enviro200 Darts will be the first order to be exported and serve outside the United Kingdom.

Competitors

*Kowloon Motor Bus - although also operates the MTR East Rail Line Feeder Bus routes
*Public light bus