services, thus ending the service of franchised non-air-conditioned buses in Hong Kong. In 2013, KMB evaluated one BYD K9A fully electric single-decker bus, including a one-month trial run on route 2. It was the first fully electric bus used on franchised bus services. The bus was returned to BYD in December 2013. In 2014, KMB, New World First Bus and Citybus introduced its first series diesel-electric hybrid buses, which is funded by the Hong Kong Government for trial of at least two years. Also during the same year, KMB and Citybus launched their first 12.8-metre high-capacity buses, which it claims would be more environmentally friendly since its larger capacity means carrying more passengers with fewer vehicles on road. The last non-wheelchair-accessible buses will be withdrawn by 2017, apart from New Lantao Bus because of terrain constraints. New World First Bus has already been upgraded to full low-floor fleet with effect from 5 September 2015. References Further reading Bus transport in Hong Kong Bus transport History of bus transport