Minister pledges to consider law to improve working conditions for Hong Kong bus drivers after committee makes 45 suggestions on road safety
- Secretary for Housing and Transport Frank Chan responds to independent review and says safety is ‘utmost priority’
- Legislation would also increase penalties for abusive passengers
Transport authorities have pledged to look into introducing new legislation to improve the working conditions of Hong Kong’s franchised bus drivers, and take tougher action against abusive passengers, as part of a safety overhaul recommended by an independent review committee.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan on Tuesday said safety was the “utmost priority” after the committee proposed a host of improvements, most of which the government said had already been adopted or were being worked on.
The government will also study the use of the HK$500 million (US$64 million) earmarked by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in last year’s policy address, for subsidising franchised bus operators – private operators in the city’s bus network – to install new safety devices such as seat belts, an electronic stability control system and speed limiters.
By late last year, a total of 474 new buses have been ordered with the safety devices.
Chan and Commissioner of Transport Mable Chan, made the commitment after an independent review committee put forward a total of 45 safety-related recommendations to the government last month, following a 21-day inquiry.