Hong Kong bus route numbering
Encyclopedia
In Hong Kong
, public bus, public light bus
(also known as green minibus
) and residential bus routes bear their own route numbers.
routes, Kowloon
and New Territories
routes, Lantau Island
(New Lantao Bus
) routes, MTR Feeder Bus routes, Cross harbour bus routes and Airport
and North Lantau external bus routes. Their route numbering systems are independent. For example, there are both route 1, and route 2 on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Lantau Island respectively.
In the past, the air-conditioned bus routes were numbered as 200's (Kowloon and New Territories) and 500's (Hong Kong Island). However, this identification became void because many previously non-air-conditioned bus routes have been converted to air-conditioned.
At one time, there were two "N11" bus routes in Tung Chung
, namely, Airport overnight route N11 and Lantau Island overnight route N11. The latter is no longer in service.
Please note that the "A" for MTR Buses stands for auxiliary routes, not airport routes.
(green minibuses) are classified into Hong Kong Island public light bus routes, Kowloon public light bus routes and New Territories public light bus routes. There are no public light bus in Airport or on Lantau Island. Their route numbering systems are independent too. However, for cross harbour public light bus routes, the route numbers from Hong Kong Island or New Territories are used instead.
(it was then renumbered 62R). From c. 2003, the route numbers have been changed as prefix "HR", "KR", and "NR". They stand for Hong Kong Island residential bus routes, Kowloon residential bus routes and New Territories residential bus routes respectively. There is no residential bus services on Lantau Island (except Discovery Bay
) and the Airport.
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...
, public bus, public light bus
Public light bus
A Public light bus is a common public mode of transport in Hong Kong. It mainly serves the area that standard Hong Kong bus lines cannot reach as efficiently. It is also colloquially known as a minibus or a van, defined as a kind of share taxi....
(also known as green minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
) and residential bus routes bear their own route numbers.
Public buses
The numbering systems of public buses can be classified into Hong Kong IslandHong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
routes, Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
and New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
routes, Lantau Island
Lantau Island
Lantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
(New Lantao Bus
New Lantao Bus
The New Lantao Bus Company Limited – known as New Lantao Bus, or NLB – is a franchised bus company operating in Hong Kong.-History:...
) routes, MTR Feeder Bus routes, Cross harbour bus routes and Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
and North Lantau external bus routes. Their route numbering systems are independent. For example, there are both route 1, and route 2 on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Lantau Island respectively.
In the past, the air-conditioned bus routes were numbered as 200's (Kowloon and New Territories) and 500's (Hong Kong Island). However, this identification became void because many previously non-air-conditioned bus routes have been converted to air-conditioned.
At one time, there were two "N11" bus routes in Tung Chung
Tung Chung
Tung Chung, meaning 'eastern stream', is an area situated on the north-western coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tung Chung, currently one of the latest generation of new towns, was formerly a rural village around Tung Chung Wan, and along the delta and lower courses of Tung Chung River and Ma...
, namely, Airport overnight route N11 and Lantau Island overnight route N11. The latter is no longer in service.
Please note that the "A" for MTR Buses stands for auxiliary routes, not airport routes.
Public light buses
The numbering systems of public light busPublic light bus
A Public light bus is a common public mode of transport in Hong Kong. It mainly serves the area that standard Hong Kong bus lines cannot reach as efficiently. It is also colloquially known as a minibus or a van, defined as a kind of share taxi....
(green minibuses) are classified into Hong Kong Island public light bus routes, Kowloon public light bus routes and New Territories public light bus routes. There are no public light bus in Airport or on Lantau Island. Their route numbering systems are independent too. However, for cross harbour public light bus routes, the route numbers from Hong Kong Island or New Territories are used instead.
Residential buses
Residential bus routes are the routes which are requested to operate by the residents or estates community. At the past, the route numbers are with a suffix "R". The first residential bus route was route 88R from City One Shatin to Kowloon Tong (MTR)Kowloon Tong (MTR)
Kowloon Tong is a station on MTR's Kwun Tong Line and East Rail Line in New Kowloon, Hong Kong.Kowloon Tong Station serves Kowloon Tong and its vicinity, including Yau Yat Tsuen, the Festival Walk shopping centre, City University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University.This station...
(it was then renumbered 62R). From c. 2003, the route numbers have been changed as prefix "HR", "KR", and "NR". They stand for Hong Kong Island residential bus routes, Kowloon residential bus routes and New Territories residential bus routes respectively. There is no residential bus services on Lantau Island (except Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development comprising a residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. The development spans an area of 650 hectares , and...
) and the Airport.
3 digits
- 100's: Cross-Harbour TunnelCross-Harbour TunnelThe Cross-Harbour Tunnel is the first tunnel in Hong Kong built underwater. It has become one of the most congested roads in Hong Kong and the world...
routes - 200's & 500's: Some air-conditioned bus routes
- This classification becomes obsolete as more and more other routes were converted to solely air-conditioned services.
- 300's: Some peak-hour only cross-harbour routes (except for 307) / Hong Kong Island recreational or special bus services
- 600's: Eastern Harbour CrossingEastern Harbour CrossingThe Eastern Harbour Crossing, abbreviated as "EHC" , is a tunnel in Hong Kong. It is a combined road and MTR rail link under Victoria Harbour between Quarry Bay in Hong Kong Island and Cha Kwo Ling in Kowloon.- History :...
routes - 700's: Some Island Eastern CorridorIsland Eastern CorridorIsland Eastern Corridor is an expressway along the north shore of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It starts from Causeway Bay in the west and ends in Chai Wan in the east. It is part of Route 4...
routes / NWFBNew World First BusNew World First Bus Services Limited , abbreviated as First Bus and "NWFB", is the third largest public bus operator in Hong Kong.NWFB was established in 1998, taking over China Motor Bus's franchise on 1 September 1998 to provide bus services on Hong Kong Island together with Citybus...
West Kowloon or Tseung Kwan OTseung Kwan OTseung Kwan O is a bay in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. In the northern tip of the bay lies the Tseung Kwan O Village....
routes - 800's: Sha Tin RacecourseSha Tin RacecourseSha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.Penfold Park is encircled by the track.-History:...
routes - 900's: Western Harbour CrossingWestern Harbour CrossingThe Western Harbour Crossing is a dual 3-lane immersed tube tunnel in Hong Kong. It is the third tunnel to cross Victoria Harbour, linking the newly reclaimed land in West Kowloon with Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island...
routes
Alphabet prefix
- Prefix A: AirportHong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
deluxe bus routes (except MTR Feeder Bus route A73, which was an auxiliary route, now canceled) - Prefix B: Border routes
- Prefix E: North LantauLantau IslandLantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
external bus routes - Prefix K: MTR Feeder Bus (formerly KCR Feeder Bus) routes
- Prefix M: Some bus routes that are terminated at an Airport ExpressAirport Express (MTR)The Airport Express is one of the lines of the Mass Transit Railway serving Hong Kong. It links the principal urban areas of Hong Kong to Hong Kong International Airport and the associated AsiaWorld-Expo exhibition and convention centre....
station - Prefix N: Overnight busNight busA night bus service or owl service is a public transport bus service which operates through the night time hours. Many cities operate such services, either in addition to or in substitution for ordinary daytime bus services or rapid transit rail services which may shut for maintenance or due to...
routes - Prefix P: North Lantau peak-hour only routes: P12, P21 and P22 (all canceled)
- Prefix R: North Lantau recreational bus routes (for Hong Kong DisneylandHong Kong DisneylandHong Kong Disneyland is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. It is the first theme park located inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and is owned and managed by the Hong Kong International Theme Parks. The park opened to visitors on 12 September 2005...
) - Prefix S: Airport shuttle bus routes
- Prefix T: Recreational bus routes (T stands for tourists)
- Prefix X: Express routes for special services
Alphabet suffix
- Suffix A, B, C, D, E, F: Conventional routes
- Suffix K: Mainly connecting to East Rail Line (formerly KCR East Rail) stations of MTRMTRMass Transit Railway is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system now includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railway stations and 69 light rail stops...
- Suffix M: Mainly connecting to the stations of Kwun Tong Line, Island LineIsland LineIsland Line can refer to:*Island Line , one of the ten lines of the MTR metro system in Hong Kong*Island Line, Isle of Wight, a railway line on the Isle of Wight, England*Island Line Trains, a train operating company in the United Kingdom...
, Tsuen Wan Line and Tseung Kwan O Line of MTRMTRMass Transit Railway is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system now includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railway stations and 69 light rail stops... - Suffix P: Peak-hour only routes (except KMBKowloon Motor BusThe 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...
8P, 276P , NWFBNew World First BusNew World First Bus Services Limited , abbreviated as First Bus and "NWFB", is the third largest public bus operator in Hong Kong.NWFB was established in 1998, taking over China Motor Bus's franchise on 1 September 1998 to provide bus services on Hong Kong Island together with Citybus...
8P, 18P, Long Win BusLong Win BusLong Win Bus Company Limited provides bus service to northern Lantau Island and the Hong Kong International Airport...
A41P and New Lantau Bus B2P, which are for whole day service) - Suffix R: Recreational bus routes
- Suffix S: Peak-hour only routes or special services (except NWFBNew World First BusNew World First Bus Services Limited , abbreviated as First Bus and "NWFB", is the third largest public bus operator in Hong Kong.NWFB was established in 1998, taking over China Motor Bus's franchise on 1 September 1998 to provide bus services on Hong Kong Island together with Citybus...
796S, which is for whole day service) - Suffix X: Express services
Brief list
- Routes or route ranges marked italic indicates that the route (or all the routes in the range) have been canceled already.
Public buses Public light buses Residential buses Hong Kong Island Hong Kong IslandHong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...Central and Western District Central and Western DistrictThe Central and Western District located on northern part of Hong Kong Island is one of the 18 administrative districts of Hong Kong. It had a population of 261,884 in 2001...
, Wan Chai DistrictWan Chai DistrictThe Wan Chai District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong, located in the north of Hong Kong island. It had a population of 167,146 in 2001. The district has the second most educated residents with the highest income, the second lowest population and the third oldest residents, and is also the...
, Eastern DistrictEastern District, Hong KongThe Eastern District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It had a population of 587,690 in 2006. The district has the second highest population while its residents have the third highest median household income among 18 districts....1-29 (except 4, 6, 7, 9, 14), 80-89, 380-389, 500-529, 720-729, 780-789, N8-N8X 1-69 HR36, HR41-77 Southern District Southern District, Hong KongThe Southern District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island. It had a population of 290,240 in 2001. This district has the fourth lowest population of Hong Kong.-Geography:...4, 6, 7, 9, 14, 30-79, 90-99, 260, 309, 314, 315, 347, 590-599, M47, N72, N90 Kowloon KowloonKowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...Urban Kowloon 1-29, 200-229, 701-705, K16, N216, T1 1-81 KR21, KR22, KR41, KR42 New Territories (or traveling between Kowloon and New Territories) Kwai Chung Kwai ChungKwai Chung is a town in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Together with Tsing Yi Island, it is part of the Kwai Tsing District of Hong Kong. Kwai Chung is the site of the container port. It is also part of Tsuen Wan New Town. In 2000, it had a population of 287,000...
, Tsuen WanTsuen WanTsuen Wan is a bay in the Kowloon area of Hong Kong, opposite to Tsing Yi Island across Rambler Channel. The market town of Tsuen Wan emerged for the surrounding villages and fleets of fishing boats in the area. The town is around the present-day Tsuen Wan Station of the MTR...
, Tsing YiTsing YiTsing Yi , or Tsing Yi Island is an island in the urban area of Hong Kong, to the northwest of Hong Kong Island and south of Tsuen Wan. With an area of 10.69 km², the island has extended drastically by reclamation along almost all its natural shore and the annexation of Nga Ying Chau and Chau...30-49, 230-249, 848, N237, N241 46M, 47M, 80-99, 301-313, 401-410, 481, 482 NR30-49, NR301-332, NR401-412 Tuen Mun Tuen MunTuen Mun is a town near the mouth of Tuen Mun River and Castle Peak Bay in the New Territories, Hong Kong. It was one of the earliest settlements in Hong Kong which can be dated back to the Neolithic period. In the more recent past, it was home to many Tanka fishermen who gathered at the Castle...50-69, 250-269, 868, 869, 506, A73, K1X, K2P, K51-K76, N260-N269 40-49, 140-142 NR70-79, NR700-758 Yuen Long Yuen LongYuen Long , formerly Un Long, is an area and town located in the northwest of Hong Kong, on the Yuen Long Plain. To its west lie Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, to the south Shap Pat Heung and Tai Tong, to the east Au Tau and Kam Tin, and to the north Nam Sang Wai.-Name:The Cantonese name Yuen Long 元朗...30-39, 70-79, 601-611, 616 NR90-99, NR901-956 Tai Po Tai PoTai 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...70-79, 270-279, 872, K12, K14, K17, K18, N76-N271 20-26, 28 NR50-59, NR501-528 North District North District, Hong KongNorth District is the northernmost district of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the northwestern part of the New Territories. The new town of Fanling-Sheung Shui is within this district. It had a population of 298,657 in 2001. The district has the second lowest population density.It...50-59, 501 NR10-19, NR101-114 Sha Tin Sha Tin DistrictSha Tin District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. One of the 9 districts located in the New Territories, it covers the areas of Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Ma On Shan, Fo Tan, Siu Lek Yuen and Ma Liu Shui . The district has the highest population...
, Ma On ShanMa On Shan (area)Ma On Shan is a new town along the eastern coast of Tolo Harbour in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Although it was initially an extension of Sha Tin New Town, it has been designed to have its own town centre and is now classified as a separate new town in government reports...80-89, 272K, 272S, 280-289, 885-891, K11, N281 27, 60-69, 801-811 NR60-69, NR80-89, NR801-833 Sai Kung, Tseung Kwan O Tseung Kwan OTseung Kwan O is a bay in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. In the northern tip of the bay lies the Tseung Kwan O Village....90-99, 290-299, 790-799, 893, N293, N796 1-19, 101-111 NR20-29, NR201-NR214 Cross harbour bus routes Cross-Harbour Tunnel Cross-Harbour TunnelThe Cross-Harbour Tunnel is the first tunnel in Hong Kong built underwater. It has become one of the most congested roads in Hong Kong and the world...
routes100-199, 301, 305, 336, 802, 811, N11, N118-N182, N368 Using numbers for Hong Kong Island or New Territories Using numbers for Kowloon or New Territories Eastern Harbour Crossing Eastern Harbour CrossingThe Eastern Harbour Crossing, abbreviated as "EHC" , is a tunnel in Hong Kong. It is a combined road and MTR rail link under Victoria Harbour between Quarry Bay in Hong Kong Island and Cha Kwo Ling in Kowloon.- History :...
routes302, 307, 373, 600-699, N619-N691, T6 Western Harbour Crossing Western Harbour CrossingThe Western Harbour Crossing is a dual 3-lane immersed tube tunnel in Hong Kong. It is the third tunnel to cross Victoria Harbour, linking the newly reclaimed land in West Kowloon with Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island...
routes373A, 900-999, X962, N962, N969 Lantau Island Lantau IslandLantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
and AirportHong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
routesSouth Lantau routes 1, 4, N1 / / Ngong Ping Ngong PingNgong Ping is a highland in the western part of Lantau Island, Hong Kong. It hosts Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha amidst the hills which is about 34 m tall. There are many hills nearby which are also an attraction to tourists. It is now the terminus of the cable car ride Ngong Ping Cable...
(Po Lin MonasteryPo Lin MonasteryPo Lin Monastery is a Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.The monastery was founded in 1906 by three monks visiting from Jiangsu and was initially known simply as "The Big Hut" . It was renamed to its present name in 1924...
) routes2, 21, 23, 1R / / North Lantau internal routes 34, 36, 37, 38, N38 / / Serving between North Lantau / Airport and South Lantau 3, 3M, 11, A35, N35 / / Airport Hong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
deluxe bus servicesA10, A11, A12, A21, A22, A31, A33, A35, A41, A41P, A43, P22 / DB02R Airport shuttle routes S1, S52, S52P, S56, S56P, S64, S64P / / North Lantau external routes Prefix E, N11-N42A, P12, P21 / / North Lantau recreational routes R8, R8A, R11, R21, R22, R33, R42 / / AsiaWorld-Expo AsiaWorld-ExpoThe AsiaWorld-Expo is one of the two major convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong along with Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was opened on 21 December 2005 by Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and it is operated by AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited...
special servicesX1, X11, X21, X22, X33, X35, X41, X48 / / Discovery Bay Discovery BayDiscovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development comprising a residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. The development spans an area of 650 hectares , and...
routes/ / DB00R, DB01P, DB01R, DB02R, DB03R
See also
- Transport in Hong KongTransport in Hong KongHong Kong has a highly developed and sophisticated transport network, encompassing both public and private transport. Over 90% of the daily journeys are on public transport, making it the highest rate in the world....
- List of bus routes in Hong Kong