KMB Franchised Bus Service: Real-time Route Compliance Monitoring, Data Integrity, and Public Data Governance
Simon Wang made this Access to Information request to Transport Department
Dear Transport Department,
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Code on Access to Information Request — KMB Route 271B: Incident Reporting, Route Compliance Monitoring, and Data Management (Case Ref: 3-9095431410)
I am writing under the Code on Access to Information regarding a KMB Route 271B incident on 28 April 2026 (my complaint Case Ref: 3-9095431410). A bus captain drove the wrong route, causing a 10-minute delay and ETA display failures. The Transport Department's reply stated KMB had "strictly instructed the bus captain" and "reminded staff to strengthen monitoring."
This case raises wider questions about how KMB monitors service quality and data integrity across its franchised network. I am a lecturer (Language Centre, HKBU) and intend to use this case in my teaching on data governance and public accountability. I would therefore appreciate your response to the following specific questions.
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Q1. Was the 28 April 2026 incident self-reported by KMB to the Transport Department, or was it discovered only after my passenger complaint?
Q2. Does KMB currently operate any automated, GPS-based system that generates real-time alerts when a bus deviates from its designated route? If yes, please describe what threshold triggers an alert and who receives it. If no, is there a plan to implement such a system?
Q3. For the 2025-2026 franchise period (to date), how many route deviation incidents have been recorded across KMB's entire network? If an exact figure cannot be provided, please indicate the order of magnitude (e.g., 0-5, 6-20, 21-100, over 100).
Q4. Under KMB's current franchise agreement, what specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) apply to (a) route compliance / schedule adherence, and (b) real-time data accuracy (including bus stop ETA displays)? Are there financial penalties for failing to meet these KPIs?
Q5. Does the Transport Department or KMB currently publish, or plan to publish, any data on route compliance, service irregularities, ETA accuracy, or data transmission reliability? If so, please provide relevant references. If not, what are the barriers?
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I would appreciate your response within the statutory timeframe of 10 calendar days. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Simon Wang
Lecturer I & Innovation Officer
Language Centre
Hong Kong Baptist University
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12/08/2026
Dear Dr. Wang,
Subject: Access to Information request - KMB Franchised Bus Service: Real-time Route Compliance Monitoring, Data Integrity, and Public Data Governance (Case Ref: 3-9648689830)
Thank you for your email dated 11/08/2026 to the Transport Department, which has been received by 1823 on behalf of the department.
For the issue(s) related to captioned case, we have passed your correspondence to the relevant unit of the Transport Department for follow-up. You will be informed of the result once it is available.
If you have any questions about this reply, please contact us.
Best regards,
Hugo Ching
Customer Service Officer
1823
Contact Us: www.1823.gov.hk/en/about-us/contact-us
Service Disclaimer: www.1823.gov.hk/en/di.shtm
21/08/2026
Dear Simon,
Subject: Access to Information request - KMB Franchised Bus Service: Real-time Route Compliance Monitoring, Data Integrity, and Public Data Governance (Case Ref: 3-9648689830)
Regarding your above case, the interim reply of the Transport Department is as follows –
"Our department received your request for access to information on 11 August 2026. Your application is now under processing. According to paragraph 1.16 of the Code on Access to Information, our department will inform you of the latest progress of the case separately on or before 31 August 2026. You may note that case no. 299/26 is assigned to your request.
In the meantime, if you have any enquiry, please contact me at 3842 5574.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Natalie FUNG
for Commissioner for Transport"
If you have any questions about this reply, please contact us.
Best regards,
Sam Wong
Customer Service Officer
1823
Case Status Enquiry: www.1823.gov.hk/portal/en/login
Contact Us: www.1823.gov.hk/en/about-us/contact-us
Service Disclaimer: www.1823.gov.hk/en/di.shtm
01/09/2026
Dear Simon,
Subject: Access to Information request - KMB Franchised Bus Service: Real-time Route Compliance Monitoring, Data Integrity, and Public Data Governance (Case Ref: 3-9648689830)
Regarding your above case, the interim reply of the Transport Department is as follows –
"Dear Mr WANG,
I refer to your request for access to information no. 299/26. Further to our previous interim reply, please be informed that as your request covers different aspects of bus operation, we need more time to collect the relevant information. According to paragraph 1.18 of the Code on Access to Information, our department will inform you of the latest progress of the case separately on or before 30 September 2026.
In the meantime, if you have any enquiry, please contact me at 3842 5574.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Natalie FUNG
for Commissioner for Transport"
If you have any questions about this reply, please contact us.
Best regards,
Hugo Ching
Customer Service Officer
1823
Case Status Enquiry: www.1823.gov.hk/portal/en/login
Contact Us: www.1823.gov.hk/en/about-us/contact-us
Service Disclaimer: www.1823.gov.hk/en/di.shtm