28 May 2002
As a socially responsible company, KMB is taking various measures to help achieve a cleaner environment.
KMB took the lead to introduce the environmentally-friendly bus engine in 1992. Since 1992, the performance of KMB bus engines has been continuously improving, while complying with more stringent emission standards. Among 4,300 KMB buses, all buses purchased before the Euro standard was introduced have been retrofitted with catalytic converters to comply with the equivalent Euro emission standard. The number of buses equipped with Euro I, Euro II or Euro III engines are 968, 1666 and 45 respectively. Compared with the emission levels in 1992, each KMB bus emits 45 percent less particulates on average, significantly improving the air quality in Hong Kong.
KMB will complete the installation of catalytic converters on all Euro I buses this year, as well as introducing 300 new buses equipped with the Euro III engine, thus cutting down on the emission levels of particulates by a further 10 percent.
Compared with a conventional bus engine, the Euro III bus engine can reduce emission of particulates by over 90 percent, much in line with the use of natural gas. Mr. Shum Yuet Hung, KMB Principal Engineer, Bus Engineering, said, 'While no double deck buses are currently powered by natural gas, double deckers represent a sustainable transport solution, in terms of both their efficiency in transporting large numbers of people and their effectiveness in alleviating traffic congestion.'
KMB is now seeking ways to achieve better results on environmental protection in line with its aim of achieving zero emissions in the long run. Since 2001, KMB's entire fleet has been using ultra low sulphur diesel. As more light materials such as glass reinforced plastic and aluminium alloy are widely used in bus construction to reduce dead weight, and as the advanced drive-line technology is applied, fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 5 percent, leading to reduced exhaust emissions. In addition, bus components and materials are specified to comply with environmentally-friendly standards; these include repairable parts, non-asbestos materials, biodegradable substances and non-ozone-depleting chemicals. By means of the self-developed computerised Bus Maintenance System, maintenance staff can control the optimum time for changing the lubricants in each bus according to its mileage. With the use of high grade lubricants, the oil change interval can also be extended without compromising on the mechanical reliability and durability. All this means that the consumption of lubricants decreased by 10 percent last year.
Mr Shum added, 'Although only about 10 percent of the vehicle emissions in Hong Kong come from franchised buses, KMB understands its social responsibility with regard to environmental protection. We will continue to explore other measures that will further improve bus engine emission levels, so that KMB remains the most popular and environmentally-friendly mode of public transport.'
For more information, please contact:
Ms Susanna Sin
Senior Manager, Media Relations
KMB Corporate Communications Department
Tel: 2786-6002/ 7909-8050
Fax: 2371-2910
 "KMB will continue to improve bus engine emission levels", said Mr. Shum Yuet Hung, KMB Principal Engineer, Bus Engineering |
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