Minibuses

Hong Kong's minibuses are licensed to carry a maximum of 16 seated
passengers. There were 6 742 minibuses in 1997. Of these, 4 350 were
public light buses (PLB), and 2 392 private light buses. Private light buses
are authorised to carry only group passengers and may not collect
separate fares.

There are two types of PLBs: 'green' and 'red' minibuses, whose roofs are
coloured accordingly. Their operation is regulated by a passenger service
licence.

Green minibuses provide services according to specified schedules of
service which define the routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables.
There were 2 107 of these operating 287 routes and carrying 970 115
passengers a day in 1997.

Red minibuses operate without specified schedules. They are not required
to operate on fixed routes or timetables and are free to set fares. In 1997,
2 243 red minibuses carried 805 489 passengers daily.

In mid-1997, the Transport Advisory Committee completed a review on
PLB policy with particular regard to the role, regulation and control of
green and red minibuses.

In line with government policy to convert red minibuses to green, more
new scheduled routes will be identified. During the year, a green minibus
operators selection exercise was conducted and minibus operators were
selected to operate a total of 10 routes.

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