KMB Route 71B
Encyclopedia
KMB Route 71B is a circular bus route that serves Tai Po
. It is operated by Kowloon Motor Bus
(KMB), and is known as the shortest and cheapest franchised bus route in Hong Kong
. This route is served by air-cond. buses only.
The fare was adjusted on 5 April 1993 to $0.7. Route 271 became a regular route that operated daily since 5 November 1993, so route 71B lost its purpose of a feeder route. The fare was raised from $0.7 to $1.0 on the same day. However, $1.0 was still a relatively low fare; the fare standard for bus routes under 3 kilometres was $1.6 in 1993. Therefore, KMB requested a fare adjustment to $1.5, but was turned down.
Many buses at that time were already air-conditioned, but air-conditioning of route 71B has created a major disagreement between Tai Po District
Council and KMB. Converting from regular buses to air-conditioned buses only means fare raise, because the route is very short and residents did not mind taking non-air-conditioned buses. KMB planned to convert the route to air-conditioned buses only in 2002, but was declined again. It was not until December 31 2004 that the route was converted, but the Tai Po District Council demanded the fare be dropped because the fare was too high.
Citybus
Route 12S replaced 71B as the shortest franchised bus route in Hong Kong after it commenced services on 1 February 2000. Route 71B was again known as the shortest bus route after 12S was discontinued on 3 May 2004. Since 31 December 2004, the new fare of $1.7 replaced Citybus Routes 97A and 98 as the cheapest franchised bus route in Hong Kong operated solely by air-conditioned buses.
Monday - Saturday
Sunday and Public Holiday
Tai Po
Tai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
. It is operated by Kowloon Motor Bus
Kowloon Motor Bus
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
(KMB), and is known as the shortest and cheapest franchised bus route in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. This route is served by air-cond. buses only.
Route history
Route 71B commenced services on 27 June 1991. The original terminus was located at Tai Po Central, and the bus fare was $0.5. The route brought convenience to the residents of Fu Heng Estate, who were able to interchange at Tai Po Central to routes 72X, 73X, 74X, and 75X.The fare was adjusted on 5 April 1993 to $0.7. Route 271 became a regular route that operated daily since 5 November 1993, so route 71B lost its purpose of a feeder route. The fare was raised from $0.7 to $1.0 on the same day. However, $1.0 was still a relatively low fare; the fare standard for bus routes under 3 kilometres was $1.6 in 1993. Therefore, KMB requested a fare adjustment to $1.5, but was turned down.
Many buses at that time were already air-conditioned, but air-conditioning of route 71B has created a major disagreement between Tai Po District
Tai Po District
Tai Po District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It covers the areas of Tai Po, Tai Po Kau, Ting Kok, Plover Cove and the northern part of Sai Kung Peninsula on both shores of Tolo Channel. It is located in the New Territories...
Council and KMB. Converting from regular buses to air-conditioned buses only means fare raise, because the route is very short and residents did not mind taking non-air-conditioned buses. KMB planned to convert the route to air-conditioned buses only in 2002, but was declined again. It was not until December 31 2004 that the route was converted, but the Tai Po District Council demanded the fare be dropped because the fare was too high.
Citybus
Citybus (Hong Kong)
Citybus Limited is one of the three major bus operators in Hong Kong. It provides both franchised and non-franchised bus service. The franchised route network serves mainly Hong Kong Island, cross-harbour routes , Ocean Park, North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport...
Route 12S replaced 71B as the shortest franchised bus route in Hong Kong after it commenced services on 1 February 2000. Route 71B was again known as the shortest bus route after 12S was discontinued on 3 May 2004. Since 31 December 2004, the new fare of $1.7 replaced Citybus Routes 97A and 98 as the cheapest franchised bus route in Hong Kong operated solely by air-conditioned buses.
General
From Fu Heng- Air-Cond. Fare: $1.7
- Journey time (min.MinuteA minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units...
): 15 - Journey distance (km): 2.3
- Daily operating hour: 05:35-00:30
Frequency
From Fu HengMonday - Saturday
- 05:35-05:50: 7-8 min.
- 05:50-00:00: 10-12 min.
- 00:00-00:30: 15 min.
Sunday and Public Holiday
- 05:35-06:20: 15 min.
- 06:20-00:00: 10-12 min.
- 00:00-00:30: 15 min.