Annual Report 2024

31 2024 Annual Report Transport International Holdings Limited Electronic Payment System LWB is the first franchised bus company in Hong Kong to offer diverse e-payment services for the convenience of passengers, especially those from overseas who may not have access to the local currency or an Octopus card upon arrival. The Company continued to enhance its e-payment system in 2024, accepting payments such as American Express, Discover/Diners Club and WeChat Pay HK. Currently, the system supports 16 payment methods including contactless payment, mobile payment and QR code payment, making it, together with KMB’s system, the e-payment solution that accommodates more payment methods than any other public transport operator’s system. Bus Service Network At the end of 2024, LWB operated 43 routes. With the increasing number of visitors, demand for transport to and from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (“HZMB”) and the Airport surged. To meet this rising demand, LWB strengthened its services, particularly in the HZMB area, by introducing a new route and re-routing some existing routes. This expansion extended both service coverage and hours to include districts such as Lei Muk Shue, Wong Nai Tau, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Fo Tan. Return of Tourists and Local Outbound Travel Demands LWB’s customer base mainly comprises tourists and individuals engaged in tourism-related activities. 2024 saw a soaring demand for boundary route services, reaching levels comparable to those seen before the pandemic. With the full reopening of borders, the advancement of Individual Visit Scheme by the Central Government, and the local authorities’ initiatives for mega events, exhibitions and shows, visitors returned to the city, generating significant demand for LWB services. The passenger flow of LWB surged, prompting LWB to implement measures to enhance its bus service levels and ensure that public needs were met. Rewards to Passengers To reward passengers, the KMB Monthly Pass Scheme was extended to cover LWB bus routes. Pass holders can use the Pass on the LWB-operated E-, N-, S-, R- and X- routes and enjoy a 73% off fare discount on LWB A- and NA-routes, accessing a bus network that connects different boundary control points. To encourage better utilisation of the KMB and LWB network for travel to and from control points, KMB and LWB renewed the “Ride 2 Journeys, Get 1 Journey Free” fare concession scheme for passengers travelling on KMB and LWB A-routes, waiving the lower fare of the two legs of the journey. LWB provides convenient, reliable, and comfortable bus services for passengers travelling to and from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and the Airport