A Reolian (the bankrupted company that was replaced by New Era) bus at the Border Gate underground bus terminal where yesterday’s accident happened
A New Era bus hit a concrete pillar inside the Border Gate underground bus terminal yesterday at around 6 p.m., which resulted in 12 people, including two mainland residents and one Hong Kong resident, being injured and sent to the two local hospitals.
Information suggested that it was the bus driver’s first day on the job. While he was at the wheel of the route 3A bus, which was departing from the terminal, the bus crashed into the pillar.
It is suspected that the driver mistook the throttle for the brake.
The Public Security Police (PSP) said that the 12 people only suffered minor injuries.
It was not the only accident related to the newly-established bus operator yesterday. Two other accidents also took place in Taipa earlier that day.
The first happened at the Esparteiro/ Regency stop. When the route 50 bus was approaching the stop at around 1 p.m., the front left of the vehicle hit the bus shelter.
Its left rear mirror was damaged and the windshield was shattered, injuring the driver. He was sent to hospital.
Another accident took place at the Edificio do Lago terminal, where another route 50 bus was alleged to have hit a pedestrian who was crossing the road. The victim was also taken to hospital. JPL
This is another shocking incident of negligence on behalf of bus drivers. Not only are they rude to passengers and have been known to assault them, there are mounting accidents. I would like MDT to call upon DSAT to ask them what training the drivers undertake. How often and for how long BEFORE they are given permission to drive. Also if there is any training once they are on-the-job.
I have also witnessed approx. 6 months ago a bus driving on the wrong side of the road which would indicate to me it was a mainland driver who had no idea of the rules of the road.
Is there any training in CUSTOMER SERVICE to these drivers? How to handle the public? We are also still seeing ALARMING crowding on buses. It seems no one is instilling into the minds (which indicates to me lack of training) that buses when over-crowded cause accidents to passengers and are dangerous. Why is it the travelling public of Macao are still witnessing this? Why is it bus drivers are incapable of telling passengers THE BUS IS FULL, PLEASE WAIT FOR THE NEXT DONE, closing the door and driving on.
DSATshould be held fully accountable at the highest level for negligence of bus drivers. . Safety of passengers should be at the top of their list.