BUS drivers say they are under increasing pressure because of deteriorating road conditions and an increasing number of defiant pedestrians. Tam Ton-chi, 46, is a China Motor Bus driver with 21 years' experience. Asked to compare his job now and a few years ago, Mr Tam gave it a thumbs down and said pressure was mounting because of chaotic road conditions. 'There are more construction works, road alterations and blockages than before. These are nightmares. There is a swelling number of vehicles and pedestrians and congestion is getting worse.' Mr Tam's North Point-Western route - which should take less than an hour - could take two or three hours due to traffic. Jaywalkers and careless pedestrians were also a problem. 'I feel that more and more pedestrians are turning a blind eye to safety regulations.' Speaking at the North Point bus terminus, Mr Tam said on average he worked 10 hours a day and sometimes more. Many tunnel bus drivers worked 12 or 13 hours because of longer routes. Although he admitted that long hours were exhausting, it meant more money. There were regulations on maximum hours. Mr Tam believes it is still safe to work for more than 10 hours because they are entitled to longer breaks between trips.
