Bus seatbelt law prompts debate over safety of standing passengers

Residents have raised concerns that standing passengers on buses may face greater safety risks than seated passengers as new seatbelt rules take effect later this month, prompting calls for whether restraints should also be introduced for people who stand during journeys.

Under the revised Road Traffic Regulations taking effect on January 25, passengers on public transport vehicles, including buses, will be required to wear seatbelts when provided, or face fines of up to HK$5,000. Some residents have questioned why similar protections are not extended to standing passengers, who are often more exposed to sudden braking or swerving.

Responding to the concerns, Kowloon Motor Bus said installing seatbelts for standing passengers is not feasible, but the company has already introduced what it calls a “continuous handrail” system across its fleet to help passengers maintain their balance.

Speaking on a radio program on Thursday, Kenny Kan Hok-hei, head of corporate communications and public affairs at KMB, said all of the company’s buses are now equipped with continuous handrails that allow standing passengers to hold on from the moment they board until they get off.

He said newly purchased buses are all required to adopt the design, which provides uninterrupted support throughout the cabin.

Kan urged standing passengers to hold on to the handrails at all times, remain stationary during the journey, and avoid walking around inside the bus while it is moving. He also warned against being distracted by mobile phones and stressed the importance of keeping at least one hand firmly on the handrail.

He noted that incidents involving loss of balance and falls on buses tend to increase during colder weather, when passengers are often wearing bulky clothing, keeping their hands in their pockets to stay warm, or carrying shopping bags and festive goods ahead of the Lunar New Year.

According to KMB, all newly purchased buses must now be fitted with continuous handrails, while designated seats across its fleet of about 4,300 buses, including those on the upper front deck and lower rear sections, are equipped with seatbelts. More than 2,500 buses currently have seatbelts installed on all seats or on all upper-deck seats.

To support the new regulation, KMB has issued internal guidelines for bus captains. If a passenger reports that someone is not wearing a seatbelt while seated, the driver will make a reminder through the onboard announcement system. Posters and electronic displays have also been installed inside buses to promote awareness of the new requirement.