Franchised bus operators should enhance their operational efficiency, quality and competitiveness to meet future challenges, Transport Advisory Committee Chairman Teresa Cheng says.

Speaking after the committee's meeting today, Ms Cheng said operators' performance last year was generally satisfactory. They have made improvements in a number of areas, such as providing more environmentally-friendly, air-conditioned and wheelchair-accessible buses, improving the provision of passenger information by installing bus stop announcement systems on buses or information panels at bus stops and termini. Some operators have installed black boxes to monitor driver behaviour and for accident investigation.

She expected operators to face more challenges in future as they have committed to enhancing their services while there is keener competition arising from other transport modes and rising oil prices.

On the draft Preliminary Outline Development Plan for Kai Tak, Ms Cheng urged the public to express views before the consultation ends in mid-August, adding that the Government should carefully examine all opinions and suggestions before taking the matter forward.