The Government today tightened emission requirements for Franchised Bus Low Emission Zones to Euro V or above emission standards to further improve roadside air quality.

Three such zones were set up in Causeway Bay, Central and Mong Kok in 2015. Franchised bus companies were required to deploy low emission buses meeting Euro IV or above emission standards to routes running through them.

Bus routes running through these zones are operated by Kowloon Motor Bus, Citybus and New World First Bus Services.

These bus companies already have sufficient Euro V low emission buses for deployment to the routes running through the zones.

In case of traffic congestion, vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents and ad-hoc trips, they may need to deploy non-low emission buses to ply the zones occasionally to maintain normal bus services.

The Environmental Protection Department and the Transport Department will closely monitor the zones’ implementation.