Last Day Services of Hong Kong's "Hot Dog" Buses 香港「熱狗」巴士最後服務日
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Volvo Olympian S3V26 (GL 258) (Right) and three Dennis Dragons
just completed last journey of Rt. 16 at Lam Tin (2012/05/09)
Since the successful trials of the first air-conditioned double-decker Leyland Olympian AL1 (DX 2437) of Kowloon Motor Bus ("KMB") in 1988, bus companies in Hong Kong have been introducing thousands of air-conditioned buses and phasing out those without air-conditioning, to provide their passengers a more comfortable air-conditioned journey. On 8-9 May 2012, the services of buses without air-conditioning had come to an end, when the final four KMB routes numbered 5A, 16, 93K and 98A were converted to full air-conditioned services.

Buses without air-conditioning are given a nickname "Hot Dog" locally. "Hot Dog" buses of KMB feature red top and skirt, milky-yellow livery, brown seats and windows that can be opened and closed. The last batches of KMB's "Hot Dog" buses consist of two models, the Dennis Dragon and the Volvo Olympian, both are the three-axle and 11-metre long version. The two models were introduced to Hong Kong in 1986 and 1994 respectively.

The last departure of the "Hot Dog" buses was scheduled at 12:02am of 9 May 2012, serving Route 16 from Mong Kok (Park Avenue) to Lam Tin (Kwong Tin Estate). Due to the crowd of waiting passengers hoping to board on the buses, KMB has finally allocated eight "Hot Dog" buses for this final journey. Starting from 1am of the same day, these buses completed their final journey to Lam Tin. All "Hot Dog" buses left the terminus at Lam Tin heading to the bus depot by 1:30am.

On 10 May 2012, KMB announced that two "Hot Dog" buses, one from the last two models, would be preserved.

  • Volvo Olympian S3V27 (GL 390) (Front) & Dennis Dragon S3N369 (GA 6324) (Rear) just completed last journey of Rt. 16 at Lam Tin (2012/05/09)
  • Dennis Dragons S3N368 (GA 6126) (Left) & S3N366 (GA 6072) (Right) just completed last journey of Rt. 16 at Lam Tin (2012/05/09)
  • Dennis Dragons S3N362 (GA 4829) (Front Left), S3N365 (GA 5685) (Middle Left), S3N360 (GA 6394) (Rear Left) and S3N366 (GA 6072) (Right) just completed last journey of Rt. 16 at Lam Tin (2012/05/09)
  • Dennis Dragon S3N367 (GA 6107) at MTR Kwun Tong Station serving Rt. 93K (2012/05/08)
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  • On board Dennis Dragon S3N362 (GA 4829) serving Rt. 98A along Kwun Tong Road (2012/05/08)
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  • Dennis Dragon S3N362 (GA 4829) at Hang Hau serving Rt. 98A (2012/05/08)
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  • Volvo Olympian S3V21 (GK 9583) at Hang Hau serving Rt. 98A (2012/05/08)
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    Please click on the photographs for enlargement.
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