A recent incident at the popular High Island Reservoir East Dam in Sai Kung ignited public debate last weekend after a group of visitors bypassed a long queue to board a minibus, claiming the vehicle had been privately chartered. The confrontation, captured in an online video on November 9, 2025, involved frustrated day-trippers waiting for the public 9A route, raising questions about the legality and operational transparency of contracting green minibuses simultaneously serving fixed routes.
The viral footage showed passengers waiting in line expressing dismay after a group boarded the 9A minibus without queuing. A woman approached officers on site only to return and inform the crowd that police indicated the vehicle was reserved. Arguments quickly centered on whether a public transit service could legally operate as a private hire, potentially inconveniencing regular passengers dependent on the scheduled service.
Understanding Green Minibus Charter Regulations
The controversy hinges on the regulations governing certain green minibuses, which legally permit operators to provide contract hires in addition to their regular route operations. For the 9A route, which services Sai Kung Country Park, additional chartered trips can be arranged for groups traveling to and from fixed locations, according to service information.
The 9A route, which connects Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam, operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, typically running four minibuses at 15- to 20-minute intervals between 9:30 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. Chartering a 19-seat minibus for a single trip reportedly costs approximately HK$750, or about HK$39.40 per person, significantly higher than the standard HK$11.30 public fare.
Mr. Fung, a representative of the minibus operator, confirmed to local media that a 28-person tour group had successfully booked two minibuses for travel between Sai Kung and the East Dam. He noted that the 9A service receives three to four charter bookings monthly, which are approved by the Transport Department (TD), provided the scheduled frequency for regular passengers is maintained during fixed operating hours. Typical clients include schools, tour groups, and organizations, which must apply three days in advance.
Crucially, Mr. Fung stressed that chartered buses are not withdrawn from the fleet designated to maintain the 9A’s fixed timetable. The operator deploys nearly 20 additional vehicles to support the 9A route during peak times, beyond the 40 used for regular service in the area.
Easing Congestion at a Major Attraction
The East Dam has seen immense growth in popularity since the 9A route was established in 2018 at the TD’s request to manage rising visitor numbers. The attraction now draws between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors every weekend day, placing notable pressure on transportation infrastructure.
The TD confirmed that the 9 and 9A services are permitted to offer contract hires within Sai Kung Country Park, up to the junction of Po Tong Road and Fuman Road. The department noted that on the day of the incident, the operator exceeded requirements, deploying 18 vehicles (substantially more than the stipulated four) and extending service until 9:00 p.m. to meet demand.
To prevent future confusion among waiting passengers, the TD has instructed the operator to clearly display signage on the front of any chartered minibus, identifying it explicitly as a contract hire service rather than a regular scheduled run. The department emphasized that all future hire operations must be arranged without compromising fixed-route frequencies for waiting customers, promising continued review to optimize the 9A service logistics in line with surging visitor flows.
This incident underscores the complex balance operators must strike between serving public transit needs and accommodating private charter requests, particularly in high-demand tourist areas. For day-trippers planning a visit, understanding that some minibuses may be reserved hires can help manage expectations when encountering long queues.