This app was mentioned in 3 comments, with an average of 3.67 upvotes
Don't really know about the disappearance, but 1.5 hours seems about right since he's taking public transport.
There is no special timezone for Kowloon city haha
>When should he actually get up and run for the bus?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nwfb&hl=en ^ You can use that app to check real-time bus arrival times It's not too accurate so he should arrive a bit earlier to the bus stop
Open Rice for helping you decide where to eat. User created reviews, in both Cantonese and English, typically with pictures of the food and menus. A pretty good way to gauge whether you should eat at a restaurant or not.
HKTaxi Yes there's english after installing the app, this is the most reliable of the cab hailing apps in my experience.
We've got Uber, but no Lyft.
MTR Mobile This helps you plan your commuting between various MTR stations, but doesnt have much in the way of telling you what's nearby, so use:
Google Maps, or Citymapper. I use the latter when travelling abroad, but haven't given it a go in HK yet. This tells you the optimum way of getting in between places.
CitybusNWFB on Android's app is honestly not that great to use, but if you know exactly which buses you want to take, then you can view the bus departure times on the "download timetable" part of the route. Buses in HK depart at fixed times from terminuses, but all other stops run at vague intervals of up to 20 minutes, so you just have to end up waiting.
HKTaxi Translator I haven't tried this, but a friend recommended. I only know of an iPhone version, so Android users may be SOL.
For getting around on public transport, get an Octopus Card from any MTR (subway) customer service station, its a prepaid contactless card to pay for all transport except taxis (for now), you can use it at 7/11 and most fast food chains such as Mcdonalds. Bring your passport with you to get a tourist one so you can get back the remaining stored value before you leave town.
Pinging /u/Tickesmurf: there's an app for non-airport buses as well.