Bus super-fans' weird haul after double decker joyride

One of the trio went to a nearby bus station to drive a double-decker bus over and pick up his accomplices. Photo / 123rf

Three bus enthusiasts took a double-decker bus for a joyride last year, stealing items such as route plates and itinerary charts, a court has heard.

The trio drove the vehicle to various bus terminals and stops around Hong Kong in the early hours of February 12, 2017, the District Court heard.

They stole from these places and hid their prized paraphernalia - all property of bus company KMB - in another decommissioned double-decker bus owned by at least one of them.

On Wednesday, Kwok Chun-ting, 21, a member of the group, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to burgle.

Prosecutors said the men stole a total of 30 bus route plates, including those for X33 and N60, as well as 27 pages of detailed bus itineraries usually displayed inside vehicles or at bus stops.

Kwok's lawyer said that the crime was committed out of Kwok's craze for buses, and that the items his client - a "super bus fan" - stole were not available for sale.

But Deputy Judge Don So Man-lung said: "[These plates] can certainly be made."

"You can make all kinds of advertising signs these days. Why not this one?" So added.

He was told that Kwok only wanted the authentic version.

Kwok has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced tomorrow.

The other two, Marco Yiu Ho-yin and Chan Ho-yin, are expected to face trial in July, with a preliminary hearing scheduled in April.

Prosecutor Ivan Shiu said the three met online a few years before the offence.

While Yiu and Chan were working for KMB at the time, Kwok was an ex-employee.

Shiu said that on February 12 last year, the trio arrived at 1.30am and waited at the Siu Hong Court Bus Terminus in Tuen Mun for staff to leave.

Chan then allegedly cut the door lock of the bus office and they stole the items inside.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor said, Yiu went to a nearby bus station to drive a double-decker bus over and pick up his accomplices.

They then proceeded to Leung King Estate Bus Terminus and Tuen Mun Station Public Transport Interchange for more break-ins, Shiu said.

He said the three men hid the stolen items in a decommissioned bus parked at an open area in Tsz Tin Tsuen.

That vehicle was bought by Kwok and six other friends, according to Kwok's lawyer.

- South China Morning Post