In 1993, the government redistributed 26 routes to Citybus, citing poor service levels. In 1995, a further 14 were transferred. In February 1998, the government announced the franchise for all 140 routes operated by China Motor Bus would not be reviewed when it expired on 31 August 1998. Eighty-eight of the routes were placed to open tender, 12 routes were transferred directly to Citybus, one cross-harbour route to Kowloon Motor Bus, and the remaining routes were cancelled. NWFB won the tender and commenced operations with around 50 new buses and 710 former CMB buses. Current status Since losing its franchise, its main business focus shifted to real estate, by developing former bus depot properties which it owned. There was a free shuttle bus service operated by the company between Island Place (one of the CMB's real estate developments) near the North Point MTR station and North Point Government Offices with a Volvo B6LE, acquired from Citybus, along with eight Marshall C37 bodied Dennis Darts. However, this service ceased on 30 June 2015 as the new environmental protection ordinance began to phase out pre Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles. China Motor Bus has also purchased some properties in London. Fleet Besides the eight Dennis Dart Coach Express retained to operate the free shuttle service, most of the fleet was transferred to New World First Bus in 1998 after the end of CMB's franchise. Two Volvo Olympian air-conditioned buses were retained, being sold to Citybus in 2001 with a Volvo B6LE acquired in return. Some of the buses transferred to New World First Bus were later sold to City Sightseeing in Australia and The Original Tour in London. Historic Partial list of historic bus types operated by CMB: Leyland Olympian Leyland Atlantean Leyland Victory Mark 2 Series 2 Dennis Condor Daimler/Leyland Fleetline - either new or ex London Transport DM/DMS-class MCW Metrobus Guy Arab IV and V Leyland Titan PD3/4 and PD3/5 Depots Chai Wan Depot: 391 Chai Wan Road/Sheung On Street (a 5-storey concrete parking facility, former head office of CMB and major depot since the 1990s) Wong Chuk Hang Depot: Ocean Park Road (owned by the Government of Hong Kong) now used by NWFB (Former) North Point Depot: site redeveloped by CMB as the residential complex (construction started in March 1994, completed in May 1997) Kennedy Town Depot: a minor depot later used by NWFB, now closed References External links