【明報專訊】Citybus and New World First Bus (NWFB) will merge starting from 1 July next year. The new franchise has been approved and will be named "Citybus Limited". NWFB, which has been in operation for nearly a quarter of a century, will soon become history. This is a major transition in Hong Kong's public transport industry. When NWFB debuted back then, it was to replace China Motor Bus (CMB) and improve services. Its retreat thus marks the increasing difficulties faced by franchised bus operators and their need to merge as a way to survive under the towering domination of the MTR. The parent company of Citybus and NWFB has promised that it will not axe frontline bus captains after the merger. However, it is expected that there will be things such as layoffs of other staff, bus route rationalisation and bus frequency reductions happening one after another. In particular, the merger of the two bus companies means that fares will have to be standardised. Some routes on Hong Kong Island will face the pressure of a substantial fare hike. The government must pay close attention to the impact of the merger on citizens and bus services. Franchised bus companies have to strive to enhance their competitiveness and keep up with the times. The government's public transportation policy has been highly slanted in favour of the MTR— such a policy goes against diversified competition and also needs to be reviewed.