Speed and congestion on crash route
I have travelled on buses on Tuen Mun Road for around eight years and although I am very saddened by the bus crash, I am not surprised ('Why did 21 people have to die like this?', July 11).
Over the years I have witnessed, on a daily basis, poor quality driving which inevitably results in serious accidents, often sooner rather than later.
The main problem is vehicles driving too close together. I have been on buses which were travelling at high speed with only a few metres between us and the vehicles in front and behind.
It is also not unusual to see many of the buses overcrowded, with people standing in the aisles and stairs. This is not entirely the fault of the drivers but is also due to the congestion at peak periods.
When Route 3 was opened, it was hoped that this would result in a reduced number of vehicles using Tuen Mun Road. But this did not appear to happen, because of the tolls levied on Route 3, I assume. The next opportunity to reduce traffic on Tuen Mun Road is when West Rail opens in a few months time. Passengers will still have the choice, based on comfort and cost, between bus and rail.
If safety is to be significantly improved on Tuen Mun Road, it is imperative that the number of buses is substantially reduced.
This will only happen if demand for buses is reduced by the opening of West Rail, and that people choose rail because it is cheaper, quicker and/or more comfortable (which I am not sure it is).
The Transport Department and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation must ensure that West Rail is cheap enough to attract passengers away from the bus routes, otherwise the kind of congestion which resulted in Thursday's crash will continue.
JAMES BAKER, Gold Coast
