There is another mode called PAT (personal automated transport). This uses electrically opeated cars (seating 4 people) that run on rails. There is no driver, as the cars are programmed to travel automatically. Some countries are experimenting with this form of transport.

It is like a taxi without a taxi driver.

I suggest that SMRT should use these buses for an express service with few stops. They should use the regular size bus for their normal services, which are expected to pick up passengers at many stops.

With the additional information you provide, I can now see why mini-buses work for HK.

Instead of mini-buses, I would prefer to call them jumbo taxis because they operate without fixed routes (ie where there is demand only), fares fluctuate according to condition (eg typhoon), board and alight anywhere reasonable, supply of jumbo taxis changes dynamically to changing demand. I think the greatest advantage is you really see market forces at play in HK – not over-regulation or protection of transport operators’ bottomline as in Sg.

Jumbo taxis require a large and constant customer base to be economically viable and it may be introduced in Sg during peak hours. However, passenger load during off-peak is definitely lower and they may not be willing to pay a higher fare to compensate the driver for the lower volume. Unless there is a solution to this, Jumbo taxis may not be viable on an overall basis in Sg. Maybe when Sg achieved the target population of 6.5 million. Personally, I wish this target will not be achieved in my lifetime.

A Public light bus is a common public mean of transport in Hong Kong. It mainly serves the area that standard bus lines cannot reach as efficiently. It is also colloqially known as a minibus or a van.

Minibuses carry a maximum of 16 seated passengers; no standing passengers are allowed (although some drivers allow a standing passenger in the stairwell if he or she is about to let off another passenger). Minibuses typically offer a faster and more efficient transportation solution due to their small size, limited carrying capacity, frequency and diverse range of routes, although they are generally slightly more expensive than standard buses. The popularity of public light bus services in Hong Kong is due to the high population densities which are needed to support the extensive network of minibus routes.

Overview
A passenger wishing to get on a minibus simply hails the minibus from the street kerb like a taxi. A minibus can generally be hailed down at any point along a route, subject to traffic regulations, although sometimes particular stops are marked out. To alight from a minibus, a passenger customarily calls out to the driver that they wish to get off. The driver then raises his hand to acknowledge him. Tourists are often confused by the calling system, as one must know the route somewhat well to know when to call.

Landmarks, intersecting streets, and even grocery stores such as Wellcome can be used. Some Green minibuses are now equipped with a bell similar to those that are found on the regular buses. Passengers who ride on minibuses equipped with such bells are encouraged to ring the bell if they wish to get off at the next stop. However, calling out to the driver is still the dominant method of letting the driver know that a passenger wishes to get off the minibus.

There are two types of public light minibus, Green minibuses and Red minibuses. Both types have a cream coloured body, the distinguishing feature being the colour of the external roof, and the type of service that the colour denotes. In the past, the minibuses had a band of red or green painted around the body instead of colouring the roof.

Most of the minibus are Toyota Coasters, but a new and environmentally friendly Iveco Daily Green minibus has also been introduced to reduce air pollution. Most of the buses run on Autogas (liquefied petroleum gas or LPG). This type of fuel is not only cheaper, but also reduces emissions. The transport commission is making further efforts to reduce emissions by providing incentives for bus drivers to make the switch to even more efficient electric vehicles.

By 2005, there are 4,350 public light buses in Hong Kong, of which 1,660 are red minibuses (RMBs) and 2,690 are green minibuses (GMBs). The operations of these two types of services are regulated through conditions imposed by the Commissioner for Transport under the passenger service licences (PSLs).

Green minibuses
Green minibuses operate a scheduled service, with fixed routes and fixed fares. There are currently around 250 green public light buses routes with route numbers assigned. The exact fare must be tendered, or payment can be made by Octopus card. On some routes, passengers may pay a portion of the full fare (called section fare) if they are only travelling a section of the route. Sections are usually distinctive physical landmarks, such as crossing a tunnel or a bridge.

Red minibuses
Red minibuses run a non-scheduled service, although many routes may in effect become fixed over time. Red minibuses may operate anywhere where no special prohibitions apply, without control over routes or fares. The operation of red minibuses provides services according to market demand.

In most red minibuses, passengers pay just before they alight, and change for cash payment may be available, or may have a small amount deducted off the amount of change for the inconvenience (of giving change). Only a few red minibuses are equipped to accept payment by Octopus card. Red minibuses’ fares and timetables are not regulated by the Government, and so, may occasionally be more expensive than their Green counterparts.

As routes are not tightly regulated, the flexibility of routes is higher than green minibuses, since drivers may choose the optimum route to travel.

Problem
The greatest problem are with fares. As the minibuses do not have fixed fares, routes and timetables, the fluctuations in fares can be quite large. Some routes may reduce their fares to an unreasonable price in order to win more passengers, but when demand increases (e.g. during typhoons, when regulated buses and minibuses services are suspended), they can make increases in fares without limitation.

Another issue is speeding. From late at night to the early morning, in order to make more rounds during their shifts to earn more, drivers may risk speeding. A typically long journey can be dramatically reduced

Minibus – officially known as the “maxicabs”; there are two kinds – red top, and green top. They are 16 seat public vans. Most of them serve as short connecting rides between MTR stations, train terminals, shopping areas and residential areas.

As to where they all go, good luck! Even the locals don’t know except the routes they frequent. I suspect there is no web site on all the routes either.

Taxi – mainly there are 3 kinds: red, green, and blue. The blue ones can only operate on the Lantau Island (where the airport is located, but most likely your hotel is not there).

The green ones can only operate in the New Territories. The red ones can go anywhere except for outlying islands not connected with a bridge. All three kinds can go to and from the airport. So at the airport, get in the right queue! And when in doubt, ask! If you don’t want to ask, just get in a red one!

Red Striped Minibuses are small passenger vans with maximum accommodation of 16 people. Generally they serve areas which are less accessible by buses. Passengers may get on or off anywhere en route.

Routes – not always fixed
Fares – Non-fixed prices
When to Pay – Pay as you get off
Payment – Small change can be given or use octopus card.

You hail a minibus just as you do with an ordinary taxi, but cannot hail or stop at any bus stops.

I agree that the MRT system is good, and can be improved significantly by increasing the train frequency. I like the frequency of 2 mins during peak hours and 3 mins (or even 4 mins) during off peak hours. It will improve the service considerably, without any capital investment.

I also add my thanks to the late Mr. Ong Teng Cheong. He was a great leader of Singapore.

though efficient in transporting large number of people without having to suffer the delay caused by traffic lights and uncertain traffic conditions, the frequency of MRT needs to be increased to 1 train every 2 minutes or less from 7 am to 7pm. The frequency can be lowered to 3 minutes after these times.

Of course, I am just talking to the wall. I mean, I am looking at a mirror on the wall now as I type.
;)

I am not familiar with the actual operations of the mini-buses in Hong Kong. Let us wait for comments from the people who live in Hong Kong, Our Land Transport Authority people should also know how they operate. I suspect that they operate like our taxi drivers in Singapore.

“The mini-bus operators in Hong Kong are able to make a living and provide a good service.”

Could you elaborate how the mini-bus operators in HK operate?

Are the operators something like Sg’s Comfort which owns the vehicle and makes money just by renting out the mini-buses at fixed rates, not caring whether the drivers makes a decent income and the commuters pay through their noses?

Are the HK operators licensed and “protected” by the govt from competition?

Who decides the routes for the mini-bus drivers?

The answers may provide a clue as to why the transport system in HK is better than our “world class” system.

Many people praised the transport system of Hong Kong. They seem to have the right approach.

I asked him if this was due to the system handed over by the British or was developed after Hong Kong returned to China. He said that it is probably due to both factors.

1. Perth is still a small town, so the traffic is not so congested. But the congestion may come soon.

2. A few bus services operate in the city. It is provided free to the commuters. It is convenient to hop up and down the bus. It is easy to get around the city on these buses.

3 There is a train that run from the north to south of Perth and its suburbs. Many people drive to the train station and take the train. There are large car parks, providing free parking space, at these stations. This “park and ride” scheme is successful.

We all know that nothing is for free. So, the “free city bus services” and “free fringe car parks” have to be paid by the tax payers. I believe that this leads to a more efficient system. It is all right for some public services to be funded by the city, so long as it is not abused.

I agree with your views. Life is so complicated nowadays. One has to be an expert on how to avoid ERP charges. Your sugggestions are good, but I was not that well informed.

Most of the time, I take public transport to avoid the ERP charges. It is only the occasional situation that I would drive and usually if there are several people travelling to the destination.

The feeder taxi was suggested by another writer. I think that it is worth trying. Quite likely, the feeder taxi can take a few passengers along the route. So, it will be worth their while.

I believe that our express bus is not working well now. Right now, we are half hearted about the approach towards feeder service and express bus, which leads to its current state of affairs. The express bus service can be improved. We need to have a strategy and focus in order to achieve its beneficial results.

If you’re coming from the North, you can take CTE -> AYE -> exit at Keppel. If you’re coming from the East, you should have taken ECP. There’s no need to go through the city at all.

There are already express bus services in the morning. I don’t really find them much faster. The stops they missed are the seldom used ones.

As for the feeder taxis, I don’t think $1 will ever work, as long as the flag down fee is $2.80. However, if you have 4 people coming out with $4, then it’s possible.

I did not know how to avoid the gantry points to bypass the CBD. If I try to find another way, it will add to more traffic congestoin and possibly an accident. So, I paid the ERP charges and accept it as an unavoidable cost.

My friend argued that ERP charges should not be imposed in the evening, as the delay in the travelling time does not affect business. Let people take a longer time to get home.

The imposition of ERP charges seem to be an excuse to get more revenue, rather than to improve business efficiency.