Calls mount for stricter rules on wearing seat belts on buses and driver working hours after crash kills five in Hong Kong
- Transport Department will hold a special meeting with coach operators to review safety issues
- Accident sparks vigorous calls for tighter regulation of non-franchised buses
Expressing concern over the fatal crash in which a coach rammed into a taxi on Friday morning, the department said it would meet the Public Omnibus Operators Association later to “study and review the issue of operational safety of non-franchised buses”.
“According to the department’s records, the coach involved was equipped with seats with a high back and seat belts. The latest vehicle examination was conducted in February this year and the coach passed the safety tests,” it said.
The accident on Cheung Tsing Highway sparked vigorous calls for tighter regulation of non-franchised buses.
At about 5am, the coach, operated by Kwoon Chung Bus, crashed into a taxi that had broken down at the side of the road before hitting a concrete road divider.