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 a hearing to receive oral evidence from nominated representatives of New World First Bus Services Limited and Citybus Limited next Tuesday (May 29) (to be continued on May 30, 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. The Committee's rules of procedure for the receipt of oral evidence and notice to the public attending the hearing to receive oral evidence are available on the Committee's website (www.irc-bus.gov.hk/eng/press.html).
 
     Having received and considered written submissions from various interested parties, and 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 nominated representatives. The first two hearings were held on May 7 and 8 to receive oral evidence from representatives of the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department on the policy, regulatory and monitoring requirements pertaining to the safety of franchised bus services. A transcript of that evidence (and a translation in Chinese) is available on the Committee's website (www.irc-bus.gov.hk/eng/transcripts.html).
 
     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 hearing, and invites them to contact the Secretariat in advance of the hearing if they wish to attend. Except for seats reserved for such persons as well as 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 29 (and May 30, if required).
 
     Enquiries regarding the hearings may be directed to the Secretariat of the Committee at 2867 5324.

Ends/Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:42

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