Citybus, which operates 1,100 diesel buses in the SAR, is a strong advocate of this totally non-polluting form of transport to improve the territory's air quality.

According to the Company's engineering consultant, John Blay, who heads the trolleybus project, the conversion is proceeding smoothly.

We de-licensed one of our existing air-conditioned double-deck buses in August. Converting the diesel powered bus to electric traction requires the installation of suitable electronic and electrical components for the main traction drive; the air-conditioning compressor drive; the air compressor drive; the hydraulic pump drive; and 24 volt electrical supply for normal bus system,?John Blay said. "And, of course, two trolley booms will be fitted onto the roof of the bus concerned,"he added.

"We have since taken out the original diesel-related components, such as the engine, flywheel, gearbox, propshaft, and air filter to make way for the conversion parts,?he added.

Parts required for the trolley conversion come from the UK, Denmark, Italy, France, and Switzerland. The Company estimated that the conversion will be completed by December, 2000.

Work on the test track at the Wong Chuk Hang parking site is expected to start in November, when all government, and district council-related formalities have been duly observed. "The plan is to erect 18 power poles, from which two overhead wires are suspended, along the west and north perimeters of the depot,?he said.
"The trolleybus will run along these lines repeatedly,"John Blay continued.

Managing director, Lyndon Rees summed up, "We take it as our social responsibility to reduce pollution from diesel-powered buses, and the long term solution has to be for electric traction in the form of trolleybuses ?a totally non-polluting form of transport. It is our view that the sooner this type of transport mode is introduced, the sooner the Hong Kong public can really look forward to "clean air" on the streets of Hong Kong.?

John Blay is one of the speakers for the Better Air Quality (BAQ) 2000 conference, which will take place today (18 September) to 20 September. The Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa, will officiate at today's opening ceremony. John Blay will make his trolleybus presentation on 20 September, 1050 hours, Jockey Club Auditorium, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. BAQ 2000 is jointly organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Environmental Protection Department.

Citybus Trolley Bus Conversion and Test Track Programme Schedule

Objective:

To establish the technical viability of the trolley bus conversion; to ascertain the performance characteristics of the vehicle, including electrical power consumption; and to ensure durability, and reliability of the componentry and system integrity.

Description		Proposed Time Line
1.	Announcement of decision to convert an existing diesel bus into a trolleybus build a trolleybus test track at Wong Chuk Hang Citybus depot	March 2000
2.	Preparation work and parts ordering	March to May 2000
3.	Delivery of trolleybus components	August to October 2000
4.	Delicensing of existing bus for conversion work	August 2000
5.	Conversion of diesel bus to trolleybus	August to December 2000
6.	Work on Wong Chuk Hang test track	October/November 2000
7.	Conversion and test track complete	December 2000
8.	Launch of trial	End December 2000
9.	Trial	End December 2000 to June 2001
10.	Sharing of experience with Transport Department consultants	To be on-going
11.	Announcement of test results	To be decided

Background notes

* Currently, there are approximately 340 trolleybus systems in the world, spanning the US, Europe and many Chinese cities, such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing.

* Between 1990 and 2000, 37 new trolleybus systems were launched in various parts of the world.

* Because of their almost silent operation and superior hill-climbing abilities, trolleybus systems are particularly well-suited to areas with steep hills and high-density population such as Hong Kong.

* Trolleybuses have zero on-street exhaust emission.