The Transport Department on Thursday said it planned to invite eligible red minibus operators to switch to green routes next month.

It said the government consulted the sector last month and received positive feedback.

It planned to invite red minibus route operators, who had already joined the HK$2 fare scheme, to switch to green routes, to further ensure the quality of minibus services.

The department said about 70 red minibus routes had joined the fare scheme.

Authorities said criteria would be set for those who wished to go green, such as requiring minibus routes to operate for at least five years, have only one fixed route and offer whole-day services, and the route must be run by only one operator.

It is expected to invite eligible red minibus operators to switch to green routes within the month of July, and the department said it would ensure all routes meet the conditions for operating public light buses.

Currently, red minibuses are allowed to operate across the territory, and their routes, frequency and fares are not subject to any restrictions.