LAI YING-KIT YINGKIT.LAI@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 10 September, 2015, 1:14pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 10 September, 2015, 3:36pm
Minibus drivers staged protests in Mong Kok on Wednesday night. Photo: SCMP Pictures
The poor design of a Mong Kok minibus terminal was to blame for minibus drivers often committing traffic offences, a driver representative said today, after dozens of public minibuses blocked a busy road in protest against police law enforcement last night.
The minibus terminal at Langham Place shopping mall had only one exit for both incoming and outgoing vehicles, often forcing drivers to wait outside for vehicles going in the opposite direction to pass, said Ling Chi-keung, chairman of the Public Light Bus General Association.
The terminal was too small and minibuses often had to queue up on the street outside before entering, Ling said during a Commercial Radio programme.
Last night, traffic in Mong Kok ground to a halt as dozens of public minibuses blocked a section of Shanghai Street in protest against police enforcement of traffic laws.
The clash was triggered when a driver of a red-top minibus was pulled over for crossing continuous double white lines shortly before 9pm, near the minibus terminal. Drivers said a ticket was issued to one driver. A police officer was injured during an argument.
The drivers and police have scheduled a meeting later today to discuss law enforcement at the terminal.
Ling said he hoped police could exercise discretionary powers not to issue tickets for minor traffic offences at the terminal.
“Because there is no space inside, the minibuses have to be parked outside, or wait at a nearby street corner,” Ling said. “I hope the police can be more tolerant, and use more warnings and appeals instead of issuing tickets.”
He said a driver’s daily income was around HK$400 to HK$500 and a HK$320 ticket would take away a large part of it.
Police today confirmed that a 62-year-old minibus driver was arrested for dangerous driving last night.
The driver, who said he required medical assistance after being arrested, has been released on bail. He is due to report back in late September.
Additional reporting by Samuel Chan
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1856919/minibus-drivers-forced-street-lack-space-mong-kok-terminal
