Brand New NWFB Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus Offers
One Day Unlimited Hop-on Hop-off Heritage and Metropolis Tours in Hong Kong
To facilitate worldwide visitors to explore local culture and diverse attractions of Hong Kong at their own pace, New World First Bus ('NWFB') proudly introduced the brand new 'Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus' and thematic sightseeing routes 'H1 Heritage Tour' and 'H2 Metropolis Tour', which will be in service starting 18 October 2009 (Sunday), pioneering the franchised open top sightseeing bus services in Hong Kong. To enjoy one day unlimited hop-on hop-off rides on both routes and experience the fun of riding on open top sightseeing buses decorated under the rickshaw concept, passengers can purchase a One Day Pass at only HK$50, a new fare format adopted by the Company for the first time. To celebrate the service launch, a kick-off ceremony cum free ride for the public was held 17 October 2009 (Saturday) at Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus.
Decorated in nostalgic livery and compartment design under the 'Rickshaw' concept, the 'Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus' is a new brand of NWFB representing the new generation of franchised sightseeing bus services in Hong Kong. NWFB Managing Director Mr. Samuel Cheng said, 'In the last century, the classic rickshaw was a major means of transportation for Hong Kongers and tourists. As the city developed, buses gradually replaced rickshaws to become popular public transport vehicle. To reminisce those early days, NWFB launched the brand of Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus by using 'rickshaw', the old Hong Kong icon, to symbolize our delicate services to visitors for a truly unique and local traveling experience. '
With its renowned shopping malls and a wide range of delicacies, Hong Kong has been a well-known energetic city, and yet there are also various historical landmarks worthy to be discovered. H1 Heritage Tour is a tour around the main attractions in the Central and Western District, such as Lascar Row, Man Mo Temple, Duddell Street Steps, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum, Dried Seafood Street and etc, to experience the Hong Kong culture and colonial history. H2 Metropolis Tour takes passengers to the hotspots in the Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Central districts, including Golden Bauhinia Square, shopping centres in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Racing Museum, the Blue House Cluster, Pacific Place, Government House, Statue Square and etc, to enjoy the urban wonder of Hong Kong. Both routes encompass 21 bus stops linking over 50 hotspots, in which covering 16 declared monuments, 10 Grade-1 historic buildings and various remarkable shopping centres. At only HK$50 for a One Day Pass, passengers can enjoy one day unlimited hop-on hop-off heritage and metropolis tours, while they can also choose to pay a fare at HK$8.7 for a single journey.
At present, if anyone would like to experience a ride on an open top sightseeing bus in Hong Kong, they have to either join local tours or hire buses; however, passengers traveling these ways are not allowed to hop-on hop-off buses enroute. Thus, it is impossible for them to truly enjoy an in-depth Hong Kong tour. By operating the first franchised sightseeing bus services, NWFB provides several hop-on hop-off bus stops enroute, which provide passengers with complete flexibility to explore the major attractions of Hong Kong on their own speed. Also, they can fully experience the fun of riding on open top buses for sightseeing at a reasonable price.
To facilitate the passengers to create their unique tours in a relaxing way, all sightseeing buses are equipped with bus stop announcement systems with bilingual commentaries in English and Mandarin video broadcast throughout the journey. Each One Day Pass ticket holder will also receive a complimentary route map. In addition, tailor-made travel guides and location maps are posted at each bus stop along the routes, which are easily identified by the unique 'rickshaw' brand image.
Mr. Samuel Cheng also added, 'NWFB will strive to increase the One Day Pass sales outlets and initiate joint promotion campaigns with other travel hotspots in Hong Kong. After the launch, we will closely monitor the market responses to explore the feasibility of extending our sightseeing services. We aim to serve the tourists and citizens sightseeing services with local characteristics. '
Routes H1 and H2, which operate from Central (Star Ferry Pier), will start serving the public from 10 a.m. and 10:15a.m. starting from 18 October 2009. For further enquiries, please call the NWFB Customer Service Hotline at 2136 8888 during service hours; or visit the NWFB Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus website at www.rickshawbus.com.
NWFB is jointly owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited and NWS Holdings Limited. Like our holding companies, NWFB is committed to improving the quality of life for the public we serve, and providing reliable bus services.
Service Details of 'Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus'
Route:
- H1 (H1 Heritage Tour)
[Central (Star Ferry)-Central and Western District]
Service Hours:
- From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
(Headway: 30 mins)*
Hotspots:
- Lascar Row, #Man Mo Temple, SoHo District, ^Old Central Police Office, ^Victoria Prison Compound, ^Former Central Magistracy, ^Duddell Street Steps, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum,
^HK Museum of Medical Science, University of Hong Kong, Western Police Station, Dried Seafood Street, ^Western Market, Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal
(^Declared Monuments # Grade I Historical Buildings)
Fare:
- One Day Pass (Adult: $50/ Child or Senior: $25). One-day unlimited rides on Routes H1 and H2.
- Single Journey (Adult: $8.7/ Child or Senior: $4.4); passenger needs to pay the single trip fare again at the Pokfield Road terminus.
Journey Time:
- Appx.50 mins
Route:
- H2 (H2 Metropolis Tour)
[Central (Star Ferry)-Wan Chai and Causeway Bay District]
Service Hours:
- From 10:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
(Headway: 30 mins)*
Hotspots:
- IFC Mall, The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Golden Bauhinia Square, Shopping areas in Causeway Bay (Sogo Department Store), Times Square, Hong Kong Racing Museum, #Hung Shing Temple, The Pawn, #The Blue House Cluster, Pacific Place, Hong Kong Park, The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, ^Government House, ^Flagstaff House(Museum of Tea Ware), Statue Square
(^Declared Monuments # Grade I Historical Buildings)
Fare:
- One Day Pass (Adult: $50/ Child or Senior: $25). One-day unlimited rides on Routes H1 and H2.
- Single Journey (Adult: $8.7/ Child or Senior: $4.4); passenger needs to pay the single trip fare again at the Happy Valley terminus.
Journey Time:
- Appx.50 mins
How to purchase:
- One Day Pass:
On board - Octopus Card or Cash (Exact Fare)
Other Outlets - Cash or credit card
- Single Journey:
On board - Octopus Card or Cash (Exact Fare)
Other Outlets - Not applicable
Launch Date:
- 18 October 2009 (Sunday)
Bus Model:
- Volvo Olympian 11m air-conditioned double decker
- Retrofitted to be an open top air-conditioned double decker
Capacity:
- Appx. 90 passengers (Upper deck: 53 seats; lower deck: 37 seats)
Service Hotline:
- 2136 8888
Website:
- www.rickshawbus.com
Remarks:
* Both Routes H1 and H2 terminate at Central (Star Ferry), departing every 00:00mins (H1), 00:15mins (H2), 00:30mins (H1),and 00:45mins (H2) daily. Therefore, they provide a combined frequency every 15 mins during service hours to facilitate One Day Pass holders to enjoy one day unlimited hop-on hop-off rides.