Along with the Light Rail, the MTR Bus service also plays an important role in the internal transport network of Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai.

In the 1980s, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) undertook the construction of operation of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Northwest New Territories.

As the TSA also covers housing estates and remote settlements not directly served by the LRT network, the KCRC believed that it was advantageous for the Corporation itself to have full control of the bus operations that would perform feeder functions to its railways.

It was against this backdrop that the KCRC established a Bus Division in 1986, and placed an order for 31 MCW Metrobus double deckers with Metro Cammell Weymann.

[3] The KCR Bus service started operation on 6 September 1987 when it took over route 59B (Siu Hong Court to Butterfly Estate) from KMB.

Passengers may enjoy free travel on MTR Bus routes (except K52A[note 1]) if they transfer to or from Tuen Ma line or Light Rail using the same Octopus card.

[1] Special routes are also operated in winter for those flocking to the sweet gum woods in Tai Tong, when the leaves there turn red.