New minibus drivers brought in from the mainland could start work this month, a sector representative said on Thursday, although some new recruits are struggling to pass the necessary tests.

Authorities have given permission for some 1,700 minibus and coach drivers to be brought in, to ease a manpower shortage.

One operator in Eastern District said it is expecting around a dozen recruits to arrive in the SAR later this month.

The chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, Chow Kwok-keung, said he expects some new drivers to take to the city's streets in the coming weeks.

But he said he is disappointed that only two out of six drivers hired for one route have managed to pass their driving test so far.

Chow said the test in Hong Kong is strict and the recruits may only have made minor mistakes.

"There could be minor movements, like when they cut lanes, we normally require a rather big head swing to demonstrate to the examiner that you really checked before making the cut," he told RTHK.

"If a driver has been driving for long and already has a licence, the moves may be a bit rough, or he or she may make mistakes during parking, affecting the pass rate."

Chow said the mainland drivers may not be familiar with traffic laws in Hong Kong, but they would quickly get used to their green minibus routes which usually aren't very long.

He added that he understands the public may be concerned about safety, and his sector's confidence in the driving ability of the new recruits has taken a hit due to the failed tests.

Chow said, however, that bringing in drivers from outside is a necessary measure in the short-term, although there's a need to attract local people to take up the jobs in the future.

In response, the Transport Department said the driving tests had only just begun and that the current passing rate does not represent the full picture.

The department also noted that as of Wednesday, about 50 imported drivers had arrived in Hong Kong and were undergoing training and driving tests.
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Last updated: 2024-01-04 HKT 21:36