NLB A35 bus outcome?

[Kawicott]

I couldn't get to the meeting in Mui Wo on Wednesday regarding the cancellation of the A35. Does anyone have an info on what was discussed and any positive suggestions or outcomes from the meeting? Thanks.

[Catgirl]

There's an account here (http://lantaulink.com/blogs/)

[Meigom]

This is a very unfortunate outcome. I would think that the Lantao Bus Company would need all the revenue it could get, so closing a viable route doesn't make sense.

But that aside, it really strands many So Lantau residents who do indeed commute daily to the airport.

Perhaps setting up a car pool scheme would help?

[Kawicott]

Thanks Catgirl for the link. Wish I was able to have made the meeting but as mentioned in the link not really a convenient time for most.
My husband has to be in work by 7.00am (airport) on his day shift and catches the first A35 which he says is always busy. If he has to reply on the 3M (current timetable) he wouldn't get into work on time. As for getting a taxi!!!!! And if he does manage to get a taxi - paying HK$120 one way gets a tad expensive.
So what have we decided to do - yes get a car. Which of course adds to the pollution, more cars on the road, less car parking spaces, more money to the government through Permit fees, road tax etc.. But if he can't get to work then no job.
Sorry for the rant but it's so frustrating.

[DarkMatter]

I've caught the A35 four times this weekend: twice it was standing room only, and even late Sat night it was half-full.

So, it's packed during peak hourand it does good business on the weekends - it's unbelievable that NLB wants to can this service.

I can only think they want to offload a lot of staff and sell off their fleet. I can't believe they're losing money with the sort of passenger loads they're carrying.

[Kawicott]

Does anyone know the official date of when NLB plan to stop the A35 service?

[Meigom]

Their website is only in Chinese and when I called the hotline, there was no message. I left a voice message for someone to get back to me about the airport bus route, but who knows if someone will call me back...:(

[Kawicott]

Meigom - Thanks for trying to find out. I looked at their website but couldn't find any info in English. I hope they ring you back but as you say 'Who Knows', watch this space.

[Natasha]

Read this:

特別通告 NOTICE TO PASSENGERS

A35、3M及11號路線服務重整安排

為可持續提供巴士服務及善用資源，在考慮過離島區議會之交通運輸委員會及地區人士的意見後，新大嶼山巴士第 A35(梅窩 – 機場，經塘福)、3M(梅窩 – 東涌市中心)及11號(大澳 – 東涌市中心)的巴士服務由2008年11月16日(星期日)起，會作出以下安排:

　

維持A35號現時往來梅窩及-機場(經塘福)的行車路線，並每日總共提供10班服務及 加強3M及11號平日及假日的服務班次.

詳情請參閱修定後的時間表。請按通告以下的A35,3M及11,或致電29849848後按1 , 3, 7 索取有關傳真資料.

2008年11月5日

Rationalization of Bus Services Routes A35, 3M and 11


To maintain the services sustainability and better use of resources, and after consultations with the Traffic & Transport Committee of the Island District Council, local representatives and residents, the bus services of NLB’s Routes A35 (Mui Wo – Airport, via Tong Fuk), Route 3M (Mui Wo – Tung Chung Town Centre) and Route 11 (Tai O – Tung Chung Town Centre) will be adjusted as follows with effect from 16 November 2008 (Sunday):

1. The existing routeing for Route A35 will remain unchanged; there will be a total of 10 departures daily; 2. Service levels of Routes 3M and 11 will be strengthened.

For details, please refer to the revised timetables, call 29849848 press 2, 3, 7 to obtains fax data.

5 November 2008

[wanchai_babe]

this says that only 10 busses will be in A35 and that means a reduction?

[Buffalo Bill]

Current schedule:

http://www.lantauchat.com/showthread.php?t=20

Shows 20 or so a day

[DarkMatter]

I have no idea either what she means by "10 departures" but it's good news that the schedule is unchanged.

[Kawicott]

Natasha

Thank you for the information. I will go to their office in Mui Wo to see if they have a revised timetable. At least NLB are not scrapping it completely for now.

[Meigom]

Hi,

First, they did indeed never reply to my voice message.

Because the English translation says 'routing remains unchanged', it simply means they won't extend their service to say, Shui Hau. But you are right in observing that 10 depatures daily is a reduction, since currently they are around 18.

But at least it's not being cut out altogether, so count our blessings...

And it's good that they will be 'strengthening' routes 11 and 3M, which I'm guessing means adding on more buses / improving depature times. I know that the 11 is usually full for much of the day.

[wanchai_babe]

Hi all.,
I talked to someone who is much knowledgeable about these issues and she confirmed that there will be 10 departures a day from Muiwo and AP and 3M and 11 will have much frequent schedule with 3M having some racks to store the luggage.

[Meigom]

Hi,

I thought 10 departures meant 10 from Mui Wo and 10 from the Airport. Currently there are more than 18 departures from each place.

Now, NLB is reducing the departures to 10 IN TOTAL! Yes, 5 from Mui Wo and 5 from the Airport. I picked up the schedule and here it is, effective from 16/11:

From Mui Wo
5:35am
7:30am
5:10pm
10:00pm
a quarter past midnight

From Airport
6:25am
6:55am
8:35am
6:20pm
11:30pm


There are two trips on the N35 for a total of 4 for this route.

Megaen:(