The letter from New World First Bus, 'Temperature set for passenger comfort' (South China Morning Post, January 18), reveals that the compressor system of the bus air-conditioning system automatically cuts off if a bus compartment temperature is lower than 17 degrees Celsius, and that bus captains cannot adjust the temperature in each bus individually.
The letter was in response to a complaint that buses are often too cold for comfort.
I urge First Bus to reconsider whether 17 degrees Celsius is too low. This may be the temperature that is assumed to be comfortable on a hot summer day when the bus is crowded. As buses are not full most times of the day - indeed, the other frequent public complaint is that there are too many empty buses causing congestion - there seems to be no reason to set the automatic switch off point at 17 degrees Celsius. Perhaps 22 degrees Celsius would be more than sufficient.
As for the cooler months, surely there must be some way to raise the temperature, or even to turn it off on cold days.
I would like to hear from the other two bus operators, KMB and Citybus.
CHRISTINE LOH Legislative Councillor
