The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service:
 
     The Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service will hold hearings for receiving oral evidence, first from the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) and then the Transport Department (TD), next Monday (May 7) (to be continued on May 8, if necessary) from 10am to 4.30pm (with a break between 1pm and 2.30pm) at the Auditorium of the Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.
 
     As announced by the Chief Executive on March 13 this year, the Committee was set up following the fatal incident on Tai Po Road on February 10, 2018, and in light of other recent serious incidents involving franchised bus services, to conduct a comprehensive review on the operation and monitoring of franchised buses and to make recommendations to ensure that public bus services of Hong Kong are safe and reliable. To gather the necessary information, the Committee invited specifically identified interested parties in March, including the THB and the TD, the franchised bus operators, representatives of the employees of franchised bus companies and others to provide written submissions to the Committee. In addition, the Committee also invited members of the public who are interested in the matters being reviewed to give their views to the Committee.
 
     Having received and considered written submissions from various interested parties, in order to obtain further information the Committee is in the process of inviting specific interested parties to give oral evidence to the Committee through a nominated representative, the first two hearings of which will commence on May 7. The Committee's rules of procedure for the receipt of oral evidence are available on the Committee's website (www.irc-bus.gov.hk/eng/press.html).
 
     Information in respect of the date and venue of subsequent hearings will be posted on the Committee's website (www.irc-bus.gov.hk) in due course.
 
     The Committee wishes to invite family members of the victims and passengers on board the bus involved in the fatal incident on Tai Po Road, and other recent serious incidents involving franchised bus services, to attend the hearings and invites them to contact the Secretariat in advance of the hearing, if they wish to attend. Except for seats reserved for such persons, the media and specifically identified interested parties, all available seats in the Auditorium of the Central Government Offices will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A Registration counter will open at 9.30am on May 7 (and May 8, if required).
 
     Enquiries regarding the hearings may be directed to the Secretariat of the Committee at 2867 5324.

Ends/Thursday, May 3, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:00

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