Hong Kong to Try Seat Belt Rules Again

Government re-examines seat belt implementation

After a spectacular fail, the Hong Kong government is going to try the seatbelts on buses thing again.

But this time it will take a more methodical approach instead of imposing it on passengers without any consultation and research.

The new rule, which was implemented last month, only to be repealed days later, only applied to buses that were registered from late January. In other words, none of the existing buses.

The public outrage and criticism that government officials haven't taken public transport in recent years or ever so they don't understand what it's like riding a bus was warranted.

Chan says this time it will be more methodical

No one did a comprehensive study to discover some buses had seat belts, or not all seats had seat belts.

But now the government is going for seatbelts on buses 2.0.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan has said the government will take a four-pronged approach by working with the bus operators to improve on the installation, design and maintenance of seatbelts to ensure safety and convenience.

The government will also commission experts to examine the risks associated with different seating layouts and route types, as well as increase public education on the importance of passenger safety.

Chan also said the authorities would re-examine policy details regarding implementation, exemptions and penalties to ensure balanced law, reason and empathy.

"Regarding the requirement to wear seat belts on buses, we will conduct a fresh and comprehensive review and widely consult the community before drawing up an optimised proposal," she said.

Shouldn't all this have been done the first time around?

It'll be interesting to see when seat belts on buses 2.0 is implemented...

The MTR Wants to Change Escalator Habits

Hongkongers are so used to standing on the right on escalators

When it comes to the escalator, Hongkongers are very efficient. They have developed a culture of standing on the right so that people who are in a hurry can walk up on the left.

I have made it on time to many appointments because of this and it's also a bit of a workout for my legs.

A few years ago I read that escalators need to get fixed more often because they are not evenly used because people are all standing on the right and not occupying the left side much. 

The MTR wants to change people's habits

Now the MTR wants to change escalator culture by getting commuters to stand on both sides of the escalator. There are over 1,300 escalators in the railway network serving millions of passengers every day.

The MTR Corporation cited public safety as the reason, adding 430 accidents involving station escalators were recorded in the first nine months of the year.

Last week the MTR launched "2024 Escalator Campaign" urging passengers to stand on both sides of the escalator, and use the lift when carrying bulky items. They should also avoid standing too close to the edge of the escalator steps and be cautious when wearing long or loose clothing.

The campaign immediately sparked heated debate, with some passionately arguing that the city's efficiency was due to its culture of allowing people in a hurry to go on the left, while others thought people occupying both sides would move more commuters faster.

In the meantime the MTR Corporation will try to educate passengers to change their habit of standing on right of the escalator, but will not resort to using by-laws force people to stand on both sides. 

"We hope that passengers will stand steadily on both sides of the escalator for the sake of their own safety and that of others," said Cheris Lee Yuen-ling, the MTR's chief of operating and metro segment.

Does this "2024 Escalator Campaign" end on December 31? Just asking...