China Motor Bus

China Motor Bus Company, Limited

File:China Motor Bus Logo.png
Company type	Public company
Traded as	REDIRECT Template:Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Industry	Public transport (formerly) Property investment
Founded	2 September 1923 (1923-09-02)
Headquarters	Chai Wan, Hong Kong
Key people	Henry Ngan (Chairman)
Products	Bus services (formerly)
Revenue	$93.5 million (2013/14)
Website	www.irasia.com/listco/hk/cmb/index.htm

The China Motor Bus Company, Limited (), commonly known as CMB, is a property development firm based in Hong Kong. Prior to the expiration of its bus service franchise in 1998, CMB was the pioneer motor bus operator in Hong Kong and played a key role in introducing the celebrated double-decker buses on Hong Kong Island. After discontinuing its transportation operations, the company redirected its core activities towards property development.

History

Established in 1923 by Ngan Shing-kwan and Wong Yiu Nam, CMB began its operations on the Kowloon Peninsula before obtaining an exclusive franchise in 1933 to operate bus routes across Hong Kong Island. Following World War II, population increases fueled network growth and modernization of the fleet. In the mid-1970s, the company adopted a buff and blue color scheme and incorporated rear-engined Daimler Fleetline buses alongside reforms of its route system. By 1976, CMB's profits had reached a peak exceeding HK$20 million.

The inauguration of the MTR Island line in 1985, combined with growing dissatisfaction over service quality, resulted in a decline in passenger numbers. A significant strike occurred in November 1989 concerning pension disagreements, which brought all services on Hong Kong Island to a halt, damaging relations with the government and leading to increased regulatory scrutiny.

Rival operators such as Citybus Limited gained market share by offering air-conditioned vehicles, more direct routes through the Aberdeen Tunnel, and competitive pricing on overlapping corridors. Due to ongoing performance challenges, the government reallocated 26 routes to Citybus in 1993 and an additional 14 routes in 1995.

In February 1998, authorities announced that CMB's franchise covering 140 routes would not be renewed beyond August of that year. Of these routes, eighty-eight were opened for public tender; twelve were handed directly to Citybus; one cross-harbour route was assigned to Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited (KMB), while the remaining routes were discontinued.

A consortium called New World First Holdings (NWFH), jointly formed by Hong Kong’s NWS Holdings and UK-based FirstGroup plc, secured the tender despite lacking prior experience in public transport operations. NWFH commenced service utilizing approximately 50 new buses alongside 710 vehicles inherited from CMB. In 2020, NWFB was acquired by Bravo Transport, owner of CityBus; by 2023, Citybus and NWFB consolidated operations with the NWFB brand phased out.

Current status

Following the loss of its bus franchise rights, CMB redirected its primary business activities towards real estate development, focusing on redeveloping properties formerly used as bus depots. The company previously operated a complimentary shuttle service connecting Island Place—one of its property projects near North Point MTR station—and North Point Government Offices. This service utilized a Volvo B6LE bus along with eight Dennis Dart vehicles fitted with Marshall C37 bodies but was discontinued on 30 June 2015 due to environmental regulations phasing out pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles.

Additionally, CMB has expanded its real estate portfolio through property acquisitions located in London.

Fleet

Following the conclusion of the franchise in 1998, the majority of CMB's vehicles were allocated to New World First Bus. However, eight Dennis Dart Coach Express units were kept specifically for the complimentary shuttle service. Additionally, two air-conditioned Volvo Olympians remained in service until their sale to Citybus in 2001, at which point a Volvo B6LE was acquired as a replacement.

Several buses that had been transferred to New World First Bus were eventually sold off to operators such as City Sightseeing in Australia and The Original Tour based in London.

Historic

Below is a selection of notable historic bus models that were part of CMB's fleet:

• Leyland Olympian
• Leyland Atlantean
• Leyland Victory Mark 2 Series 2
• Dennis Condor
• Daimler/Leyland Fleetline (including former London Transport DM/DMS-class vehicles)
• MCW Metrobus
• Guy Arab IV and V
• Leyland Titan PD3/4 and PD3/5

Depots

• Chai Wan Depot: Located at 391 Chai Wan Road/Sheung On Street, this five-storey concrete parking structure served as CMB's headquarters and main depot from the 1990s onward
• Wong Chuk Hang Depot: Situated on Ocean Park Road, this government-owned facility is currently utilized by New World First Bus
• North Point Depot (former): The site was redeveloped by CMB into the Island Place residential complex, with construction commencing in March 1994 and completing in May 1997
• Kennedy Town Depot: Originally a minor depot that was later operated by NWFB, now permanently closed

External links

• Archived official website of CMB
• Non-franchise photo album of China Motor Bus (Chinese only)
• Chronological timeline of China Motor Bus (Chinese only)
• Photographic collection of CMB vehicles
• Paperbus images related to CMB