Published on
November 9, 2025
Recent viral controversies concerning fairness in public transport use by tourists has concerned the High Island Reservoir East Dam in Hong Kong. Arguably the interest began Saturday, November 8, as a fully reserved tourist group entered a GMB Route 9A. This group seemingly skipped the line by entering the reserved GMB and the group boarding the GMB faced public scrutiny instantly. The use of the fully reserved GMB by the tourist group raises the question of the legality of pre-booking a public transport service.
The Incident: Tourists Skipping the Line
The tension unfolded when a video, lasting about two minutes, surfaced online showing a group of tourists boarding a Green Minibus (Route 9A) while a long queue of people stood waiting. The footage begins with a man loudly questioning the situation, “Since when don’t we need to queue? This is a public minibus, not your private vehicle!” His frustration was echoed by a woman in the video who confronted the police, demanding to know why they were allowing the tourists to board ahead of others. After speaking with the officers, she returned with the news that the tourists had booked the entire minibus in advance.
As the story developed, the police allowed two pre-booked minibuses to depart after routine checks, prompting further anger from the waiting passengers. Shouts rang out from the crowd: “Make them get off! How can they book when we’ve waited for hours?” The situation quickly escalated into a public debate, with many questioning the fairness of the minibus service being used for private purposes.
Understanding the Green Minibus System
Green minibuses, or GMBs, are a widely used form of public transport in Hong Kong, providing essential routes between key locations. They are typically shared services that operate on fixed routes with fixed fares. GMB Route 9A specifically serves the area around East Dam, running between Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam, with regular intervals during peak weekends. The minibuses are a popular choice for visitors heading to the East Dam, a renowned scenic spot.
On weekends and public holidays, the GMB 9A operates four minibuses with intervals of 15 to 20 minutes, running from 9:30 AM to 6:40 PM and returning from the East Dam between 10 AM and 7 PM. While the service is convenient for visitors, it can be overwhelmed by the large number of tourists flocking to the area, especially during peak times like weekends. This leads to long queues and intense competition for seats, which only adds to the frustration when pre-booked vehicles are allowed to skip the line.
The “Pre-Reserved” Minibus Controversy
The crux of the controversy lies in the concept of “pre-reserving” a public minibus, which allows tour groups to book the entire vehicle for their exclusive use. According to reports, a tour group had booked two minibuses to transport their party of 28 people between Sai Kung and the East Dam. The GMB company confirmed that such bookings were indeed part of their service offering. Tourists who wish to reserve a minibus for their group can book the vehicles in advance for a set fee.
The cost of booking a minibus for the 9A route is approximately HK$750 per trip, which works out to about HK$39.4 per person for a full minibus. This is significantly more expensive than the usual fare of HK$11.3 per person, which covers the regular public service. While the ability to book a minibus for private use exists, it has raised questions about whether it undermines the principle of fairness in the public transport system.
The Role of the Transport Department and GMB’s Booking Policy
The manager of the minibus company, Fung, explained that the company regularly offers booking services for the GMB Route 9A, with three to four booking requests each month. He confirmed that the company takes steps to ensure regular public service is not affected. “We ensure we maintain about four regular trips per hour before accepting any bookings made at least three days in advance,” Fung stated. The company deploys up to 20 of its 63 minibuses during peak periods to accommodate both regular passengers and private bookings.
The bookings are subject to approval by the Transport Department, which ensures that the minibuses used for private hire do not replace those assigned to regular routes. This helps maintain the balance between public service and private bookings, although the issue remains contentious when a large number of tourists demand private trips at the same time as regular passengers.
Public Reaction: A Divided Opinion
While the minibus company has justified the practice of pre-booking vehicles by claiming that it does not disrupt the normal flow of service, the public response has been divided. Many passengers argue that it is unfair for tourists to skip long queues by booking a minibus for their exclusive use, especially when regular passengers have been waiting for extended periods. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the accessibility of public transport services for local commuters and tourists.
Some argue that while private bookings should be allowed, they should not be prioritized over regular services, particularly during peak hours. On the other hand, others feel that tourism, which is a significant contributor to Hong Kong’s economy, should be supported by providing flexible transport solutions, including private bookings for large groups.
Implications for Travel and Tourism in Hong Kong
This controversy highlights the growing challenges that public transportation systems face in handling the influx of tourists to popular destinations. As Hong Kong continues to attract millions of visitors annually, issues of fairness, accessibility, and efficiency in transport services become increasingly important.
Tourism plays a significant role in Hong Kong’s economy, and ensuring that transport systems can accommodate both local commuters and international tourists is essential for sustaining the sector’s growth. However, managing such high demand without sacrificing fairness for local residents remains a delicate balancing act.
Moving Forward: Balancing Public Service and Tourism Needs
With the increase in visitors, particularly for the East Dam, the need for proper transport management will continue to increase. Suggested action to solve this issue may include service expansion, frequency increase for regular minibuses, or optimally managing private bookings so that negative effects on public service are minimized.
The East Dam case regarding pre-reserved minibuses is a good example of the need to balance the negative and positive effects of excessive growth in the tourism industry. The tourism industry in Hong Kong can continue to offer world-class services without sacrificing the well-being of the local population.
