The Transport Department aims to have all minibuses fitted with speed controllers by the end of next year by making their installation a requirement for issuing a vehicle licence.
The swift move - which comes after years of discussion amid accusations the government was dragging its feet - follows confirmation from a manufacturer that it can supply a device that locks a minibus' fuel output at a certain speed.
The news came as a victim of Saturday's crash between a minibus and a container truck that killed three people and injured 14 remained in serious condition in hospital. One of the injured later died.
The first of the new devices, which cost HK$5,000 to HK$7,000, is expected to be available this year. The department said yesterday that it wanted all minibuses to be so equipped within a year of that.
It has yet to decide the speed limit, although 80km/h - the limit on most minibus routes - has been suggested.
Owners of some of the city's 4,350 minibuses were sceptical about the schedule and said the cost of the governors would probably be passed on to the public in fares.