Buses that once plied the streets of Hong Kong are now enjoying a new lease of life thousands of kilometres away in Britain, New Zealand and Australia.

Two Hong Kong bus companies, Citybus and New World First Bus (NWFB), have sold or given away more than 150 single and double deck buses to overseas associated companies and preservation groups over the past three years.

According to NWFB corporate communication general manager C.F. Kwan, selling the older but still usable buses abroad not only funds the company’s replacement programme, but also gives new life to the disposed vehicles.

“Many of them no longer suit local conditions,” Mr Kwan said. “All non air-conditioned vehicles are being withdrawn from service and some of the double-deckers with low floors are in need of replacement.”

Old buses that are now in service across Britain, Australia and New Zealand have mostly been repainted, with some losing one of their two passenger doors, while the others have their roofs cut off and converted into open-topped tourist buses.

Mr Kwan added that several buses have also been sold to preservationists and museums. “These double-deckers are sought after by many collectors for their unique design and special features made particularly for Hong Kong’s winding and narrow streets.”

One of the old Leyland Victory double-deckers is now on display at the Scottish vintage bus museum. It has more than 20 years of working experiences and is the last one of its kind to be manufactured. There is dazzling paint on its body, promoting Hong Kong’s spectacular view from the Peak, making it a desirable collector’s item, said Mr Kwan.

Citybus assistant general manager in the engineering division Paul Li said Citybus began disposing of its single-deckers in 1999 after the Hong Kong Government imposed a ban on further fleet expansion.

“We shipped 29 Dennis Dart buses to our parent company, Stagecoach Group in the UK after taking delivery of new double deck vehicles as a way to boost the passenger capacity,” Mr Li said.