This year sees this site celebrating it's 10th Anniversary. Since it's launch back in November 1998, it has developed well beyond my expectations and into a site covering a wide variety of oriental bus related items, as well as increased coverage of 'real' bus news. In an attempt to ensure that it continues to provide you with what you consider important, I would ask that you spend a minute or two in completing a simple survey, which can be found by following this link (link no longer available) -  Thank you.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Y.C. Wong

New World First Bus have replaced ageing DM6 with DA66 for operation on route 15C between Peak Tram Station and Central/Star Ferry. It commenced service on January 25th and coincided with a fare increase from $3.2 to $4.0. My thanks to Dennis Y C Wong and Philip Chan for providing this news and photographs. A new page has tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site which features Peak Tram liveried buses. If you can add to these, please e-mail me. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Universal Transport Fans Association

I have today received the first photographs of the Kowloon Motor Bus 'Year of The Mouse' Olympian, AV326. My thanks to Universal Transport Fans Association for allowing the use of the photos on my site.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Universal Transport Fans Association

My thanks again to Universal Transport Fans Association for allowing me to use the above photograph, showing the first batch of Enviro 500s being assembled and which are due to enter service around the Chinese New Year.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 
Stephen Cho

Today is Australia Day and once again several preserved buses have been out on special services in Sydney. Pictured above is former China Motor Bus MCW Metrobus ML1 , in pristine condition. My thanks to Stephen Cho for sending the photo. 

Model kindly supplied by Creative Master Northcord Ltd

The latest Volvo B7R/Sunwin from CMNL is in the familiar livery of Shanghai Ba-Shi group (cnbus1010). Details of this model already appear on several retailers websites, as well as that of Creative Master Northcord Ltd's UK distributor, John Ayrey Diecasts Ltd. My thanks to CMNL for providing a sample model.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Concorde Hobby Shop

The Concorde Hobby Shop website has announced two new models from Mei Yi. Again based on the Guangzhou bus Model Yu Tong ZK6118HG they are in the livery of Transmac (Guangzhou). Both are on route 180 to  Guangzhou station and each version is limited to 600 pieces. The retail price is HK$308.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
K.M.Cheng

My thanks to Dennis Law for being quick off the mark yet again in sending me photographs of the New World First Bus 'Year of the Rat' liveried Dennis Dragon DA96. Thanks also to Kenneth K.T. Ma and KM Cheng for allowing me to use their excellent photos, which have just been added to the Xtra section of the site.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Due for release in Hong Kong on Sunday 20th January is the Kowloon Motor Bus 'Year of the Mouse' model from Cars Workshop (92201). Limited to 5,000 pieces, it features Volvo Olympian AV326 on route no. 35A to Tsim Sha Tsui East and will retail for HK$288. My thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop for providing details of this model so promptly and for all the photographs.

Does this mean the end of Corgi's involvement in oriental models - if you know, please e-mail me

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Kenneth K.T.Ma

Pictured above is the 'Year of the Rat' livery which has been applied to Citybus Dennis Dragon No 830. New World First Bus DA96 is also to be decorated and it is reported that models of both will soon be issued. A new page has just been added to the Xtra section of the site where further photographs can be viewed. My thanks to regular Hong Kong correspondent Dennis Law and Kenneth K.T.Ma for providing this information and the photos.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

Thanks to Jotus.com, a new page featuring photographs from the Hong Kong Transport Society's Bus Rally last Sunday has tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Edward Yeo

My thanks to Edward Yeo, not only for advising me of the launch of the above Volvo B7RLE demonstrator for SBS Transit, Singapore, but also for sending me a superb selection of photos. This bus is assembled by a local bus and coach builder, Soon Chow Corporation. These photos have now been added to the Xtra section of the site. 

Creative Master Northcord have today announced the release of a new model (cnbus1011), pictured above. The full Press Release can be viewed by following the link. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 
Jacky Ho

Whilst mentioned in the news for 21st December, I can confirm that the above Best Choose 1/120 scale CMB Olympian (06201) has since been released. Featuring CMB's last Olympian VA64 on route no. 101 to Kennedy Town, it is limited to 2,000 pieces. My thanks to Jacky Ho for confirming this information and providing the photographs.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of DM

What appears to be the first release of 2008 (see news for 6th January) is this Best Choose 1/120 scale KMB Olympian (06203). On route no. 89 to Lek Yuen, it carries the registration is HH4757, which is that of a 12 metre Olympian 3AV335. My thanks to 'DM' for confirming this information and providing the photographs. Any further details of this model would be welcome.