The history of bus transport in Hong Kong

HF: The history of bus transport in Hong Kong began with the introduction of the first bus routes in Hong Kong in the 1920s.

Bus transport in Hong Kong was started in the 1920s. Several operators were managing a number of bus routes on both sides of the Victoria Harbour by the end of the 1920s. These included:
Kowloon Motor Bus, China Motor Bus, Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Aberdeen Kai Fong Hotel and Hong Kong Hotels.

In 1933 bus services were franchised. Rights were given to Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB)
on the north side, and China Motor Bus (CMB) on the Island. Other bus companies such as Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels, Hong Kong Hotel and Aberdeen Kai Fong, had to cease operations and their buses were sold to franchise operators.

Records relating to the period before the 1930s are scarce as they were mostly destroyed in World War 11, but the surviving photographic and written evidence indicates that an extensive network of buses served both sides of the harbour. Some remote areas of the territory at the time, such as Yuen Long, Fanling and Stanley were also served. Buses of various British bus manufacturers such as Leyland, Thornycroft and Daimler were present in significant numbers around the territory.

During the occupation, the Japanese tried to restore bus services to normal levels, but were unsuccessful due to an insufficient supply of fuel and spare parts. The limited resources and buses available for service was also responsible for the reduction in the total number of routes in service, as well as for the reintroduction of horse driven carts to the territory.

When the British returned they put the restoration of public transport to the highest priority. Before new buses were shipped to Hong Kong, both KMB and CMB had to use modified trucks instead of proper buses to transport passengers. These trucks were phased out by the end of the 1950s. The position eased when KMB took delivery of a batch 50 single deck Tilling Stevens and CMB a further 108 during 1947/48.

The return of a large number of people to Hong Kong after the war, and people who wanted to escape from the communists, caused a population boom. As a result the demand for public transport skyrocketed and larger buses became necessary. Kowloon Motor Bus received 20 Daimler CVG5 double decker buses in 1949 as a trial (one of the first 4 buses introduced by KMB after withdrawal in the early 1980s). They turned out to be an unparalleled success, just like the AEC Regents (RT) in Lothan 1,000 buses in various specifications, including the Daimler Fleetlines, were to follow until the 1970s.

China Motor Bus chose to use more single deck buses instead. This was because the Gardner engined double deckers did not perform satisfactorily given the hilly terrain, and population levels on the island were more steady and predictable. The company partnered with Guy in Wolverhampton, England and became the second major buyer of Guy Arab buses – after Wolverhampton Corporation Transport.

Source: Wikipedia
First posted on 11th May 2026