Citybus Route 1

The route was started on 5 November 1928 by Hong Kong Tramways, between Sai Wan and Happy Valley.[1] At that time, it had no route number. Just several days after the inauguration of service, the western terminus was changed to Sheung Wan near Wing Lok Pier, in response to requests from the police.

On 11 June 1933 China Motor Bus gained the franchise of Hong Kong Island bus services, and the route was given the number "1".[1] The route was truncated from Sheung Wan to Blake Pier in Central on the same day, before relocating its terminus to the neighbouring Vehicular Ferry Pier in 1934. On 1 April 1935, the service was extended to Sai Ying Pun, and the arrangement of having first and second class ticket prices was added. However, on 1 January 1939 the route was cut back to Vehicular Ferry Pier, the terminal before 1935.

During Japanese occupation, the route was suspended. Within a month after the restoration of British rule, limited service on the route was resumed on 22 September 1945 between Vehicular Ferry Pier and Tai Hang via Happy Valley. In January 1946 the terminus was modified to Central Market. At this time there were five buses servicing the route, when the route was the only one in service by CMB. In February there were only three buses left due to lack of repair, and the route was divided into two separate services, Central Market – Tai Hang and Vehicular Ferry Pier – Happy Valley. In May service was resumed on route 5, so the terminus of route 1 was changed to Central Ferry Piers, with two buses servicing. By next February there were six buses on the route.

The early 1960s saw both of route 1's termini being relocated. On 1 January 1960 the route was extended from the Vehicular Ferry Pier to Cleverly Street in Sheung Wan, while in 1962 the Happy Valley terminus was changed from Blue Pool Road to Broom Road. In 1972 the route was classified into the category of urban slope routes, which had a higher price than normal urban routes and lead to a loss of patronage. In 1980 the western terminus of the route was changed to Central (Macau Ferry), and again in 1987 to Rumsey Street. On 1 September 1993 the route was transferred to CTB, and was designated a full air-conditioned service. On 31 May 1996 the Central terminus was moved to a new bus terminal of the same name, on newly reclaimed land.

Line diagram of this line

1

• Every Sunday or Public Holiday,This route won’t stop at * stops,it will change to ^ stops。

In the morning of 28 January 1984 a deadly accident involving a Guy Arab V on route 1 occurred at Wong Nai Chung Road in Happy Valley. The bus crashed into pedestrians, who were mostly parents and grandparents queuing up on the pavement to obtain admission forms from St. Paul's Primary Catholic School, after the driver lost control of it. A total of 6 deaths and 8 injuries were recorded[6] and the government conducted an independent inquiry to delve into the causes.