I have today received a copy of Bus Fan World's latest edition of 'Bus Focus', the cover of which is pictured above. This edition features 46 pages, 16 of which are in full colour. Although the magazine is written entirely in Chinese, the gist of most articles can be followed. One such article is the use of two former KMB Dragons during filming for a new Jackie Chan movie, and indeed one photograph shows Jackie posing at the bus entrance. Other articles feature:-

Showbus 2003 -  ex-Hong Kong buses now operating in London - ex-Hong Kong Metrobuses in Australia  - ex-CMB Carlyle bodied Darts now with Citybus - the ex-NWFB Darts transferred to KMB  - Scania L94UB - Iveco Daily - Magic Bus- Mega Bus - Citybus 105 - model page featuring the latest releases - details of new and withdrawn vehicles - plenty more too!!

Pictured below is just a random selection of some of the pages

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY

Photograph of a pre-production model
courtesy of Citybus

Pictured above are the first photographs of the Citybus 'Year of the Monkey' model, which is expected to be released late February/early March. Pictured below is a photograph of the actual vehicle - a larger photograph of which is available on the Xtra page. I am very grateful to Citybus for providing me with these photographs. 
 

Photograph courtesy of Citybus

Photograph courtesy of Jotus Model Depot

Released in Hong Kong today is the New World First Bus 'Fortune Bus of Monkey'(20015). New photographs of the general release model have replaced those of the pre-production sample. 

Pictured above is Hong Kong's first IVECO Daily Green diesel minibus. It will start to serve the public in the Lunar New Year on Kowloon "Green Mini Bus" (GMB) Route no.6, which is operated by Chit Fai Motors.

In order to celebrate this important milestone, Yardway Motors Limited (IVECO & Hanover Displays exclusive agent in Hong Kong) will hold a Handover ceremony for this “First IVECO “Daily” Green diesel minibus for Chit Fai Motors” on Sunday, 18 January 2004 from 11:00 to 12:00 at Whampoa Garden GMB Route no. 2 & 6 Terminus, Hung Hom (Tak Hong Street / Tak Ting Street).

The Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2004 from Northcord Transport is now available as is the New World First Bus edition of The Fleet Directory of Hong Kong Buses. New pages for both these books have now been uploaded, just follow the links.

New photographs have also been uploaded of the KMB Wrightbus (DW10501) and KMB 'Year of the Monkey' Olympian (OM43203)

I have today received a sample of the Creative Master Northcord Limited CNG (compressed natural gas) Mitsubishi FUSO MP non-step citybus model (JB1007) in 2001 Sapporo City colours. Further details and photographs can be found by following the link.

Independent Transport Videos have released two new videos/DVDs based on Super 8 sound cine film taken by Malcolm King during a three week visit to Hong Kong in October 1984.

Both are entitled 'Hong Kong Visit - October 1984'.  Part One features 'The Buses', and running time is approximately 55 mins, whilst Part 2 covers 'The Trams and Other Transport' and has a running time of approximately 64 mins. Both are available in Video and DVD formats. Further details of each can be found by following the link below.

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its first CNG (compressed natural gas) bus replica on its Mitsubishi FUSO MP non-step citybus model, JB1007, in 2001 Sapporo City Bus colours. 

CNG citybuses are becoming a common scene in the major cities throughout Japan. CNG buses provide zero CO2 at the roadside. The CNG tanks are placed on the roof of the bus. It is recognised easily by those tanks on the roof if compared with traditional citybuses. 

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. Moreover, the detail on the CNG tank is to scale and it is mounted on the roof, behind the air-conditioner.

JB1007 carries Sapporo City Bus colours. The Sapporo City Transportation Bureau’s bus section was established in 1930 and it will close its 74 year history in March 2004. The replica is one of the last buses purchased by them in 2001.

The JB1007 model is limited to 300 pieces for the UK and Hong Kong. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

New World First Bus have confirmed that their 'Fortune Bus of Monkey' model (20015) is due to be released on 16th January.

Photograph courtesy of 80M Bus Model Shop

Pictured above is KMB's 'Year of the Monkey' Volvo Olympian/Alexander (OM43203), Fleet No AV381, which is due for release in Hong Kong on Saturday 10th January.

The Xtra page of the site has a new page featuring a tri-axle Dennis Trident in New York and two new photos have been added of the same vehicle, but in different operator liveries, has been added to the page featuring vehicles that have changed ownership.

The Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2004 is due to be published in Hong Kong on 14 January 2004. 

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its first livery on the replica 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model, hkbus 2001, in Hong Kong Citybus’ 1991 standard colours. 

The hkbus-2001 replica is a brand new tooling in 1/76 scale. It is worth mentioning that there are many innovative designs on the tooling, some of which are seen for the first time on a CMNL double-deck model. The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including all handrails on board and detailed individual air-vents above the seats. The most remarkable accuracy is seen on the front dome that represents this feature of the Alexander R type bodywork.

Once again, this is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all Leyland & Alexander logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. 

CMNL has taken the views of model collectors on board and has developed a system of securely anchoring the model onto its plinth without using screws – the first time this has been seen on a CMNL double-decker.

Leyland Olympian coaches have played a significant role in the Citybus fleet. In pursuit of its goal of operating air conditioned double-decker buses in Hong Kong, Citybus ordered the first production run of air conditioned double-deck buses from Leyland and Alexander, putting them into service in Hong Kong in 1989. These buses were very successful and operated over the entire Citybus network on which they set new standards of comfort that were unsurpassed for many years.

The Leyland Olympian Coach is the ninth 1/76 scale diecast bus or coach from Creative Master Northcord since 2000, following the Volvo Super Olympian / Alexander ALX500, Mitsubishi FUSO MP non-step bus, Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale, Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400, Shanghai Sunwin Volvo B7R, Hino Selega Coach, Dennis Trident / Plaxton President and the Mitsubishi Aerobus Coach.

The hkbus-2001 model is limited to 2,200 pieces for the UK and Hong Kong. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) and Porte Publishing Company (Japan).

Congratulations to Chan Ching Pong in Hong Kong, who was the only one whose votes matched that of the overall result. He will receive the New World First Bus 'Year of the Monkey' model kindly being provided by Jotus Model Depot.
 
 

Six people's votes matched that of the overall result, namely Allenby, Donald MacRae, Giles Harvey, Lee Sing Leung, So Wai Kit and Stephen Mak. These names were put into the hat, with Lee Sing Leung being drawn as the winner and Giles Harvey as the runner-up. Lee Sing Leung will receive the New World First 'Bus Year of the Monkey' model kindly being provided by Jotus Model Depot, whilst Giles will receive a runners-up prize

The full results can be found by clicking here. 

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the vote, and Jotus Model Depot for agreeing to provide the prizes. 

New photos of the interior of the KMB Wrightbus, taken at Showbus, have just been uploaded to the Wrightbus page in the Xtra section.

Photograph copyright and courtesy of
New World First Bus
and  Jotus Model Depot

Photographs of a pre-production sample of the New World First Bus 'Year of the Monkey' model (20015) have just been added. The model is expected to be released later this month.

Photograph copyright and courtesy of
New World First Bus
and  Jotus Model Depot

The first glimpse of the New World First Bus Year of the Monkey model. Further photographs will appear tomorrow.  I hope to be able to announce the winners of the BEST NEW CASTING 2003 & BEST ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONAL LIVERY 2003 shortly. Jotus Model Depot has very kindly offered to provide prizes to the winner of both categories. The prize will be the New World First Bus 'Year of the Monkey' model, when released, and as shown above.

Kowloon Motor Bus have decorated Alexander bodied Volvo Olympian AV381 in "Year of the Monkey" livery. It is confirmed that a model will follow soon from KMB.