Bus driver union slams KMB policy to turn off air con when no patrons on board

A Hong Kong bus driver union has hit out at a company’s guidelines asking drivers to save fuel amid surging oil prices by switching off air conditioning when they are not carrying passengers, arguing that such policies pose safety risks. In a statement on Wednesday, the Motor Transport Workers General Union also called on public bus firm KMB to allow for lower air-conditioning temperatures inside compartments to improve the working environment of drivers. “The union believes that the company’s requirement for turning off air conditioning and opening windows when not carrying passengers under environmental protection pretexts seriously ignores the already severe air pollution problems on various routes with heavy traffic and passenger flow,” it said. “In addition, buses are often exposed to direct sunlight during daily operations, and without adequate air conditioning and ventilation, this could lead to heatstroke among drivers and traffic accidents, resulting in loss of life and property that no one wants to see.” The union urged KMB to lower the air-conditioning temperature from 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit) to 23 degrees, to help with ventilation and improve the working environment. The group said it had sought the help of the transport and labour departments in following up. “Regarding the company’s so-called fuel-saving plan, the union also hopes that the resources saved will be prioritised for installing a fan in front of the driver’s seat on each bus for the driver’s use,” it said. A KMB internal notice seen by the South China Morning Post instructed bus drivers not to turn on their engines except when they were about to pick up passengers, while avoiding sudden acceleration or braking to save fuel in light of soaring fuel prices. The notice asked the drivers to turn off the air conditioning when they are not carrying passengers, “where practicable”. It also told them to open the windows next to the driver’s seat instead to enhance ventilation. International energy prices have soared following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, prompting Iran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for the oil-rich Gulf states. International benchmark Brent crude was above US$100 per barrel as of Wednesday, compared with about US$60 early in the year. According to the Consumer Council’s local petrol price watch, standard petrol pump prices stood at HK$31.09 (US$3.97) per litre, while the cost of premium petrol was typically HK$32.89. Lai Siu-chung, a vice-chairman of the union and director of its KMB branch, slammed the policy of not turning on air conditioning, saying it posed a danger to drivers. He added the ventilation of bus compartments was usually bad during traffic jams and opening the windows would not improve circulation. “The safety and comfort of bus drivers and passengers should be prioritised,” he said. In a reply to the South China Morning Post, KMB said fuel costs were a significant part of the firm’s recurring expenses. “Therefore, the surge in oil prices has constituted significant operational pressure on KMB,” it said. The company added that it had been liaising with authorities about future developments, including merging, adjusting or cancelling under-utilised routes. Asked if it had released similar guidelines, Citybus said it had reminded its team of “regular precautions” in response to volatile energy prices and encouraged staff to exercise environmentally friendly measures. On Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu vowed to maintain sufficient fuel supply and price transparency in the city as the administration sought to mitigate the impacts brought by rising oil prices. He said the government would continue to monitor price fluctuations and the reasonableness of adjustments, while reminding gas companies of their social responsibility.