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Later today I am off to Hong Kong, returning home on 5th December. Depending on time and the availability of internet access, there may be some brief updates during my stay so do please continue to e-mail me with your news and photographs.
23rd November 2012

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Keith Wood

Pictured passing through Admiralty last week is KMB's Scania K310UD fleet no. ASU22 carrying Brand Hong Kong livery - surely a model (preferably a Dragon or Gemini 2!) with this livery can't be too far away?!

   
A new page has tonight been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site detailing the new low-height ADL Enviro500s entering service in Canada.
22nd November 2012

   
Three people died and 48 were injured in a crash involving two double-deck buses and a taxi this morning, Hong Kong police report. The incident is believed to have occurred in the Shau Kei Wan district and it is believed several victims were trapped in the wreckage. The taxi driver and the two passengers in the car were confirmed dead, The buses involved were NWFB Enviro500 4026 and an unidentified KMB vehicle (Update 20/11/12  - KMB vehicle was Enviro500 ATEU32 on route 118). One report states the bus driver (thought to be the NWFB driver) collapsed at the wheel before the crash.
19th November 2012

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Two further models are set to be released shortly, these featuring KMB Scania AS class double-deckers. AS6 (GW652) will be on route 98A whilst AS8 (GW1346) will be on route 110, as pictured above.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Simon Yiu

My thanks to Simon Yiu for providing an update from Canada. He reports that Ottawa OC Transpo has ordered 75 new low-height Enviro500 double deckers (#8001 to 8075), 35 of which have now entered service with delivery expected to be completed by April 2013. An option for a further 40 has yet to exercised. A new page with further details will be added to the
 Click here to visit the Xtra pages pages shortly. 

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

KMB's Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL AVBWU242 has received this attractive all-over advertising for Freespace Fest, an event being held at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade on 15th and 16th December.
17th November 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

I am reliably informed that KMB are to release a model of non-air con 11m Volvo Olympian S3V26 (GL258) with St. John Ambulance overall advertisement, as shown above. On route 16 to Lam Tin (Kwong Tin Estate), the model is expected to be released in December.  
 16th November 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Keith Wood

My thanks to Keith Wood, who has just returned from Hong Kong, for sending me a couple of his photographs taken during his trip. Above is the newest 11.3m Enviro500 for MTR Bus, captured at Tin Shui Wai, whilst the night shot below features AVW25, a KMB Wrights bodied Volvo B10TL with all-over advertising for China Life.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Keith Wood

15th November 2012

   

Set to be released in Hong Kong tomorrow are these four folders which, among other retail outlets, will be available at the New World First Bus Customer Centre. Priced at HK$20, each comes with a separate sheet of alternative route/destination stickers.
14th November 2012
 

For those of who have this 'News' page bookmarked, the image on the 'Home' page has been changed, thanks to Dream Bus Model.
13th November 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Ivor Norman

My thanks to Ivor Norman for sending me a superb selection of photographs of the new-generation Enviro500 for KMB that was on display at Euro Bus Expo 2012 last week - these have just been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of 312 Model

312/P&T model have announced the imminent release of two resin Dennis Dragons. S3N343 (FZ8046) is on route 30X to Allway Gardens whilst S3N363 (GA5311) is on route 16 to Mong Kok (Park Avenue). Further details will follow when known.

   
The following article appears on the BBC News website (I assume that it is accurate!) :-
'A Hong Kong-based bus company has ordered 50 new double-decker buses from the County Antrim firm, Wrightbus.
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company agreed the deal, with a view to ordering more vehicles from the Ballymena-based manufacturer in the near future.
Wrightbus is arranging for some of its shop floor workers to go to China to oversee the construction of the buses. A number of Wrightbus staff involved in the order are learning Chinese ahead of their trip.
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers are leading a business delegation to China on Monday for a six-day trade mission aimed at promoting investment and tourism.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are due to visit the headquarters of the Kowloon Motor Company on Saturday.'
12th November 2012

   

The latest edition of Bus Fan World's 'Bus Focus' arrived yesterday. Featured in this edition, in addition to the usual news and articles, are the various events organised by Bus Fan World, new model releases, Citybus YoungMan single-deckers, a centre spread photograph of KMB AVBWS1 in 'vintage' livery, MTR's new Enviro400s, former Hong Kong buses now in the UK and plenty more, in fact 62 pages in glossy colour.

   
Brand new KMB Enviro400 ATSE5 had a minor mishap today when it ran into the back of a Wrights bodied Volvo B9TL!

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Citybus Olympian no. 974 pictured today carrying an all-over advertisement of RTHK which promotes their TV and radio programmes database.


   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Recently released in Hong Kong is this 1/76 scale Isuzu delivery van from Best Choose (L112766B) which retails for HK$68.

   
The layout of the Citybus and Kowloon Motor pages in the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site has been revised slightly, hopefully to make each item clearer.
11th November 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

The first of KMB's production ADL Enviro400s (ATSE2-5)
were registered yesterday and today two have been spotted in service - ATSE3 (RT3476) operating on route 60X whilst ATSE4 (RT4011) was noted on route 59M.  A new page has just been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.
10th November 2012

   
I can confirm that the two MTR Bus Enviro500s to be modelled are 801 (NE5930) on route 506 to Siu Lun and 802 (NF6585) on route K76 (destination unknown). Each is limited to 1,250 pieces however only 801 is to be released this year (early December) with 802 believed to be scheduled for release mid 2013. 
9th November 2012

I have received an unconfirmed report that two MTR Bus Enviro500 models are to be released shortly. Both are believed to be in the white North West New Territories livery, one being on route K76. Further details will be published when known.
  8th November 2012

Formally announced today is that the KMB order for the new-generation Enviro500 has been increased from 220 to 370, to be delivered over the next 18 months.
7th November 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Paul McNamara

My thanks to Paul McNamara for providing the first photograph of the new look Alexander Dennis Enviro500 for Kowloon Motor Bus, taken on the eve of the Euro Bus Expo, which opened today and runs until Thursday. Paul provides regular and comprehensive Far East fleet updates as well as hosting two bus photo sites, one for Europe and the Far East  and the other for the Gulf Region (link no longer available) - why not take a look!
     
Further Update

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Dave Rogers

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Paul McNamara

My thanks to Dave Rogers and Paul McNamara for sending me photographs taken today at the Euro Bus Expo 2012 of the new Enviro500 for KMB., more of which have been added to 
the Click here to visit the Xtra pages pages.
6th November 2012



Today this site celebrates its 14th Anniversary


5th November 1998
-
5th November 2012


5th November 2012
   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

Photographed yesterday is the latest Citybus Enviro500 to enter service, fleet no. 8284.

   
In addition to the new vehicle orders mentioned in yesterday's update, KMB has ordered 50 Enviro400s and 11 Enviro200s whilst Citybus has ordered a further 20 Enviro400s.
5th November 2012

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

During my holiday the three Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragons were released on Monday 29th October, details are as follows:-
92606 – 3N171 (DK5310) Destination : Lam Tin - Route :  42C  -  green and white : 800 pcs
92607 – 3N143 (DK1992) Destination : Ping Shek - Route :  9   -  dark purple and white : 800 pcs

92608 – 3N187 (DK8238) Destination : Cheung Hang - Route : 42A  -  light purple and white : 800 pcs
Photographs will be added as soon as time allows.

   
Alexander Dennis Ltd has announced details of its Hong Kong orders as well as unveiling its new Enviro500. (see News for June). 

Kowloon Motor Bus are to receive 220 of these new 12 metre examples, to three different specifications:-
50 with 86 seats + 40 standees + 1 wheelchair
148 with 90 seats + 42 standees + 1 wheelchair
22 with 85 seats + 42 standees + 1 wheelchair (believed to be for Long Win)

Citybus are to receive 156 of the new Enviro500, 107 of which will be 12 metre and 49 will be 11.3 metre. 66 of the 12 metre examples are for Cityflyer operations.

One of these examples (either KMB or Citybus) is expected to appear at Euro Bus Expo 2012, to be held at the NEC in Birmingham this week. (If anyone is going, a photo would be most welcome!)

MTR Bus is also to receive 6 of the new Enviro500, these being 11.3 metre examples.

New World First Bus have a current order of 28 of the current style Enviro500.

The above information is courtesy of Bus and Coach Buyer and my thanks to Donald MacRae and Stephen Martin for providing details.

   
Below is a 'snap' from my recent holiday, taken at a certain Formula 1 bend, although the traffic was a little different than race day!
 
4th November 2012
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