Bus Passenger Safety Campaign Launched

The Road Safety Council, the Transport Department, the Police and the five franchised bus companies in Hong Kong today (August 29) joined hands to launch the Bus Passenger Safety Campaign to enhance passengers' awareness of safety on bus.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Campaign at City Hall, Central, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman said that about 16 per cent of bus accidents in the first six months of 2001 involved passengers falling inside buses or on staircases, and some 150 passengers were injured as a result.

"A joint effort is therefore made to draw passengers' attention to their safety on a moving bus," Mr Footman said.

He gave the following four hints to passengers:

	To use handrails;
	To stand behind the yellow lines near the bus entrance and exit;
	To take care of children and the elderly; and
	Not to stand on the upper deck or the staircase.

"To achieve the campaign objective, a television commercial will be broadcast, which will be reinforced by radio announcements.

"Publicity materials will be distributed territory-wide at major bus termini," Mr Footman said.

"Moreover, school visits will be paid to disseminate safety messages to students," he added.

Mr Footman noted that bus companies were providing more handrails and posting notices on buses to encourage passengers to make use of them.

"I hope that through the joint effects of the passengers themselves and the bus operators, passengers' safety will be enhanced," he said.

Mr Footman expressed his gratitude to the franchised bus companies sponsoring the campaign, and the efforts by the organising committee to make the campaign a success.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Chairman of Road Safety Council, Mr Lau Yuk-kuen; the Chairman of Road Safety Campaign Committee, Mr Lawrence Yu; the Operations Director of Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd., Mr Lui Po-chiu; the Assistant General Manager (Operations) of Citybus Limited, Mr William Chung; the Operations Director of New World First Bus Services Ltd., Mr Philip Harper; the General Manager of Long Win Bus Co. Ltd., Mr Kenrick Fok and the Director of New Lantao Bus Co. (Planning & Development and Public Relations), Mr Peter Mok.

End/Wednesday, August 29, 2001