Annual Report 2019

015 Transport International Holdings Limited 2019 Annual Report Chairman’s Letter Acknowledgements 2019 was a year full of challenges for Hong Kong. Staff members of the Group have demonstrated their commitment to their work and duties in serving passengers, and this dedication has been acknowledged by the public. In particular, I would like to praise the efforts of the team working day and night in the Command and Control Centre (“War Room“) to ensure smooth operations, support for frontline staff members and the prompt release of route information, showcasing our commitment and professionalism as service providers. The Group will continue to serve the public in a professional spirit while delivering safe and quality bus services, relying on the unity of the whole team. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Directors, every staff member of the Group, our suppliers and all our passengers. Norman LEUNG Nai Pang Chairman 19 March 2020 contraction in the tourism, retail and banking sectors have led to a dramatic decrease in ridership since late January 2020 for KMB and LWB. In the face of such a difficult environment, the Group has responded by adjusting trip frequencies and saving resources. We will continue to deploy our buses in a flexible manner, while adopting appropriate measures to improve productivity to ensure the sustainability of our business. The Group will also expand its service areas through the introduction of new routes and special routes. In respect of the Liantang Boundary Control Point, we have been granted the operating rights for a new bus route, which will carry passengers between Tuen Mun and Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. We believe this will bring the Group new business and development opportunities. Moreover, the superstructure work at the How Ming Street site in downtown Kwun Tong is expected to be completed in mid-2022, which will create a stable return for our shareholders. Challenges and Opportunities The Group continues to allocate resources to enhance driving safety and staff members’ remuneration packages and welfare. On the other hand, local and global economic uncertainties, in addition to volatility in fuel prices, continuous expansion of the local railway network and the pending fare application submitted to the government, continue to pose challenges to bus operators. Since the middle of 2019, social incidents have been affecting the city. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has also cast a significant impact on the transport industry as well as the people of Hong Kong. To deal with this, KMB and LWB have taken a series of measures, including stepping up the cleaning of bus compartments, promoting public health and asking all bus captains to wear face masks when working to enhance protection for passengers and staff members. The suspension of schools, the work- from-home arrangements adopted by government departments and private companies, and the significant