Don't blame Hong Kong minibus drivers for traffic offences - blame Mong Kok terminal design, says protest leader
Police hold meeting to clear the air after street blockade sparked by officer issuing a ticket
Minibus drivers have blamed the poor design of the Mong Kok terminus for parking offences at the site after dozens of drivers blocked a road with their vehicles on Wednesday in a protest over a policeman issuing a ticket.
Officers told a drivers' group why the enforcement action was necessary in an hour-long meeting yesterday that a police source described as "calm". Minibus group representatives refused to comment after the meeting.
The chairman of the Public Light Bus General Association, Ling Chi-keung, said the terminus at Langham Place was too small and had only one access point for both incoming and outgoing vehicles. This often forced drivers to wait outside for vehicles going the other way to pass.
He said police could exercise their powers not to issue tickets for such minor offences.
The Transport Department said last night that no one in the minibus sector expressed a view during a government consultation in 2004 on moving the terminus to its current site.
Mong Kok district councillor Chris Ip Ngo-tung said the only long-term solution was to build a larger terminus. One possible site is in nearby Sai Yee Street, which is occupied by government offices that are to be relocated.
Traffic ground to a halt on Wednesday night as dozens of drivers blocked a section of Shanghai Street to protest over a driver being issued a ticket.