Hong Kong bus drivers are not known for their courteousness. However, I continue to be surprised by the actions of the Citybus driver who wears a SWAT baseball cap on the number 260, departing Stanley at 7am.
His manners are impeccable. If you are caught running for the bus, he will stop and wait. As you flag the bus at the bus stop, he will wave back in acknowledgment. As you board the bus, he greets you with a friendly 'hello', and he does not pull back on to the road until you are seated and the traffic has cleared. He accelerates and decelerates smoothly, never in the traditional aggressive, jerky, stop-and-go way. He drives safely and stays within the speed limit. In traffic he keeps intersections clear and allows vehicles from side streets to enter ahead of him.
I would like to think that this is a new SWAT programme by Citybus, and that it will spread across Hong Kong, but I realise this driver has manners only his mother could teach.
Hong Kong should take note - following his example will go a long way towards wooing the tourists back.
Citybus should commend him, but don't dare move him to another route. It would ruin my mornings.
A J BUCHNER Tai Tam
