1994 — Page 28

Operational Review

FEATURES FOR LESS MOBILE PASSENGERS

A number of meetings were held during the year with representatives of disabled groups and the Transport Department, in addition to the annual Governor's Summit Meeting with all operators and interested parties. Suggestions to make buses more accessible to disabled persons are being considered. Several features recommended by the UK Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee ("DPTAC"), which include additional hand rails and bells and specially designated seats, have already been incorporated in the vehicle specifications

for new bus orders.

ACCIDENT REDUCTION

Safety is always a prime concern of KMB. Constant effort has been made to identify causes for accidents and action has been taken to reduce accidents. Apart from the on- going rigorous vehicle maintenance programme to ensure a fleet of good mechanical conditions and a training programme to produce bus captains with proper and safe driving habits, a number of new initiatives to reduce accidents have been taken.

BUS DESIGN

Vehicle specifications are continuously reviewed to include equipment and features to reduce accidents. An example is the installation, on a trial basis. of pressure sensitive devices on the exit doors to prevent the accidental trapping of passengers on alighting. This device will be installed as standard equipment on all new buses ordered after

December 1994.

EMPHASIS ON SAFETY IN THE BUS CAPTAIN TRAINING PROGRAMME

The training programme has been upgraded to place even greater emphasis on safety aspects. Retraining programmes aimed at reducing accidents have been implemented.

BUS CAPTAIN MONITORING

Monitoring of driving behaviour has been intensified. In particular, new laser speed guns have been acquired and used to detect speeding.

ACCIDENT BLACK SPOTS

Information on locations with frequent bus accidents is provided to the Transport Department to assist prompt remedial action.

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The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited