Crowds on lower decks of Hong Kong buses on first day of mandatory seat belt rule

On the first day of Hong Kong's mandatory seat belt rule for buses, many passengers crowded the lower decks, particularly on short-distance routes in Tuen Mun, on Sunday. Passengers were concerned about being able to unbuckle their seat belts in time to exit the bus. A reporter and lawmaker observed this behavior on two busy routes, noting that some residents were unaware of the new law. On the shorter route, many upper deck seats remained empty as passengers opted to stand downstairs. Some passengers expressed concerns that buckling up would make it difficult to disembark quickly, especially when carrying items.