Bus operator Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) said it would intensify public education and reminders ahead of the new seatbelt regulation that is coming into effect, but emphasised the legal responsibility to fasten seatbelts ultimately rested with the passengers.

Starting January 25, the new law will require passengers to wear seatbelts on all public and private buses, in the rear seats of light buses and goods vehicles and in all seats of special purpose vehicles.

Non-compliance carries a fine of up to HK$5,000 and three months' imprisonment.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme on Friday, Kenny Kan, head of corporate communications and public affairs at KMB, said the company's primary enforcement mechanism would be audio reminders and public outreach.

"If a passenger reports someone is not wearing a seatbelt, the driver can use the bus' broadcasting system to play announcements reminding passengers that if there are seatbelts available, they must be worn," he said.

"As the responsibility for not wearing a seatbelt ultimately falls on the passenger, we, as the bus company, hope to encourage and ask passengers to understand the requirements of this new law and comply willingly."

Kan said the broadcast announcement would not be aimed at singling out any individual, but he hopes the general announcements would be effective in reminding people to belt up.

He also noted there would be no monitoring devices to check on use of the belts at seats, making public co-operation essential.

Kan said all seatbelts would undergo maintenance checks daily at depots.

"In case a passenger reports to the driver that a particular seatbelt is not functioning correctly, the driver will advise the passenger to sit in an available seat with a functioning seatbelt instead," he said.

"The driver will also make a record of this issue, and once the trip is completed, they will promptly report it to the company. We will arrange for the affected bus to be replaced as soon as possible.

"Even if an immediate replacement isn't possible, repairs will be made that evening, and the bus will not return to service until the seatbelt is fixed."

KMB and its sister company, Long Win Bus, operate around 4,300 buses.

Approximately 2,600 are either fully equipped with seatbelts or have them on the upper deck.

On the remaining buses, belts are installed on seats that are more exposed to potential danger, such as front upper deck rows and the middle seat of the last row.

The company, Kan said, is promoting compliance with the new rule through in-bus posters, electronic displays and announcements.