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Hong Kong franchised bus operator Citybus has appointed a former head of the city’s Civil Service Bureau as its new chairman, who will oversee a fleet of 1,700 buses providing essential public transport for local residents. Citybus announced the appointment of Joshua Law Chi-kong Law on Thursday, who it said had provided “strategic counsel” to the company since joining parent firm Bravo Transport Services as a special adviser in 2021. “I am greatly honoured to be appointed as chairman of Citybus,” Law said in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with board members to lead Citybus onto a new journey, continuing to deliver safe, reliable and efficient public transport services to our passengers.” He also thanked outgoing chairman Cliff Zhang-kun, who he said had “laid a solid foundation for Citybus in advancing zero-emission initiatives and post-pandemic recovery. A career civil servant, Law rose through the ranks to become secretary for the civil service in 2017, a post he held until a cabinet reshuffle in 2020 under then chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. Law’s tenure coincided with the 2019 social unrest, where he issued a letter warning government employees they could face immediate suspension or other disciplinary action if they were arrested for taking part in unlawful public activities. He also served as permanent secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs between 2007 and 2012, and as permanent secretary for security from 2012 to 2017. Law takes over as chairman while the city’s second-largest bus operator continues its push to become more environmentally friendly while also expanding offerings that align with the government’s tourism push. Citybus aims to operate a full fleet of zero-emission buses by 2045 and launched its first hydrogen-powered bus last year. It also launched a ‘HK City Sightseeing’ brand and ‘Citybus+’ passes in a bid to support the growth of the tourism industry. According to its 2024 annual report, the franchise currently employs over 5,200 people and operates a fleet of 1,700 buses, serving around 979,000 passengers each day. In 2023, the company merged with New World First Bus, previously the city’s third-largest operator by route coverage, as part of a 10-year franchise renewal by the Hong Kong government. Earlier this year Citybus raised salaries for its frontline staff by 2.5 per cent, matching the pay increase offered to all employees by rival KMB.
