New Rules Cut Down Long Hours For Bus Drivers

The government has revised its guidelines on working hours for bus drivers, reducing their workload following outcries about lax passenger safety following a spate of serious accidents.

The number of hours drivers can be behind the wheel has been limited to 10 hours, from the current 11. After six hours of driving, staff should also be given 40 minutes of rest, up from the current half an hour.

Their total duty time per day has also been cut to 12 hours from the existing 14 hours.

The Transport Department said it expects franchised bus companies to fully implement the revised guidelines within a year.

Assistant Transport Commissioner Rachel Kwan said if the companies do not implement these guidelines, they will be asked to explain the reasons, and transport officials will issue warning letters if necessary.

The move comes after three people were killed in a bus crash in Sham Shui Po last year and 19 died in an accident in Tai Po earlier this month.