Lack Of Laws To Protect Bus Drivers Irks Panel

The Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service on Monday questioned the government on why it hasn’t introduced legislation to safeguard the welfare of bus drivers.

On the first day of the committee's hearings, members of the panel asked the Transport Bureau why it only issues guidelines on the number of hours drivers should work – instead of enacting a law.

The permanent secretary for transport, Joseph Lai, said he didn't know why this was the case, but he said the bus companies are expected to strictly adhere to the guidelines.

Lai also said no bus company has ever been penalised for failing to comply.

He also told the committee that the government will soon launch a publicity campaign on how passengers should behave on buses.

Reports had said some passengers on a bus that was involved in a fatal crash in February had argued with the driver because the service was running late.

The review committee was set up after the crash on Tai Po Road that killed 19 people and injured dozens of others.

Justice Michael Lunn is the chairman of the three-member committee. The other two members are Rex Auyeung, the chairman of the Lingnan University Council, and Professor Lo Hong-kam, department head and chair professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Science and Technology.