The Transport Department has launched an investigation into the service of green minibus route 44A on which a fatal traffic accident occurred in Yuen Long July 25.

The route, from Tuen Mun Station Public Transport Interchange to Sheung Shui Station, had approved operating hours of 6am to 11pm Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. If the operator adjusts the operating hours without the department's approval, the Commissioner for Transport can suspend, cancel or vary the passenger service licence after the inquiry.

The department noted green minibus operators should provide service according to the approved routing, timetable, fare table and vehicle allocation, and should not make unapproved adjustments.

In the past year it conducted 10 investigations mainly checking the route's service standard and operation within authorised hours. No complaints were received about its operating hours.

Operators should follow guidelines when arranging their drivers' working hours to ensure safety. The department has been organising courses and seminars and is planning to stage a minibus safety campaign this year.

It will consult the trade again on introducing speed limiters and mandatory pre-service training for new minibus drivers and will soon undergo the tests on the installation of vehicle monitoring systems in minibuses.

It will also liaise with car manufacturers to require new minibuses be installed with blackboxes which can record driving information and data for fleet management, but not for court evidence.