CNG News: 11th October 2009

Transport Firms seek funding to upgrade bus fleets...

Franchised bus and ferry operators have publicly sought government financial assistance to help them upgrade their fleets and switch to cleaner fuels if they are required to do so. The operators say they are seeking the unspecified help on the assumption that they will not be able to pass on the cost of improvements to the public through higher fares. New World First Ferry - now testing ultra-low-sulphur diesel on three boats-said it could not keep using the fuel because it was too expensive. \"We will be unable to carry on after the end of the trial unless the government helps\", assistant general manager David Wong Tui-cheong told the Legislative Council\'s environmental affairs panel yesterday. The ferry operator\'s sister company, New World first Bus, also said a subsidy would be needed if it was told to upgrade its fleet ahead of schedule. In its recent-quality review, the Environment Bureau estimated a 25 per cent fare rise would be needed to replace by 2014 about 4,500 franchised buses that went into service before Euro II emission standards were introduced in 1996 and 1998. Fume-belching diesel buses are blamed or much of the roadside air pollution that persists despite efforts to clean up the environment. Kowloon Motors Bus operations director Tim Ip Chung-tim said the bus-replacement programme was a complicated one that was also governed by manufacturers\' ability to supply vehicles. He also warned of the affect of finances and operations. Meanwhile, WWF Hong Kong published its \"Climate Policy Address\" for Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen\'s reference. It also urged Hong Kong to set a carbon emission target of 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.