The Transport Department today launched a bus parade and exhibition in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The event features buses from the past and present and is one of the highlights of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's National Day celebrations this year.

Speaking at the kick-off ceremony this morning, Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung noted that bus services have long been an indispensable and important part of Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihoods.

“Buses have not only met the travel needs of Hong Kong people every day, but have also witnessed the city's developments.”

The event marks the evolution of franchised buses in the city from the past to the present, engaging with the public to experience the crucial role of bus services in the public transport system, he added.

The transport chief also highlighted that China’s rapid development of new energy technologies in recent years has enriched Hong Kong's choices of new energy public transport.

“Numerous electric double-decker buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses introduced into Hong Kong in the past few years were China-made models. Our country has been forging ahead steadfastly in the last 75 years and continuous innovations in such areas as energy and transport technology not only reflect our country's leading role in this field, but also bring the convenience of technology into the lives of the general public.”

After the ceremony, the officiating guests boarded an open-top bus to lead a parade of eight retired and in-service buses from Victoria Park to Man Kwong Street via Gordon Road, King's Road, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Fleming Road and Lung Wo Road.

The general public enjoyed the parade along the 6km-long route across various districts and took photos.

The convoy also engaged with citizens and tourists at locations such as Hennessy Road near Jardine's Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the destination at Central Pier.

In addition, the four-day bus exhibition at the Victoria Park football pitches is open to registered members of the public free of charge from this afternoon.

The department reminded those who have registered to queue up and enter the exhibition via its entrance at Soccer Pitch No. 4 (near the jogging track) with a QR code at the selected time slot.

The exhibition features a total of 10 retired and in-service buses, including the first-generation double-decker bus introduced 75 years ago and the newly introduced China-made new energy double-decker buses.

Bus model exhibits, photo-taking spots simulating a bus driver and passengers, a neon light installation as well as bus service-related memorabilia including bus captain uniforms of different generations and vintage bus tickets are also on display, the department said.