Q11. How should lost property left on buses be dealt with?
Any person who finds any property accidentally left in a bus must immediately hand it in the state in which he finds it to the driver, who must deal with it accordingly: see Regulation 15 of the Public Bus Services Regulations (Cap. 230A).
Under Regulation 16 of the Public Bus Services Regulations (Cap. 230A) —
Duty of driver to search a bus:
Immediately on the termination of any journey the driver shall search the bus so far as is practicable for any property that has been accidentally left therein.
Disposal of the lost property:
As soon as may be and in any case within 12 hours, the bus driver shall hand any such property together with any property handed to him in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Public Bus Services Regulations (Cap. 230A) in the state in which it came into his possession, to the authorized employee authorized by the bus company, and such employee shall give driver a receipt for the property.
Return of the lost property:
If, before the property has been handed to the authorized employee, it is claimed by a person who satisfies the driver that he is the owner thereof it shall be returned to that person forthwith, without fee or reward, on such person giving a receipt therefor containing his name and address to the driver who shall, as soon as may be, report the facts and give the claimant’s receipt and a description of the property to the authorized employee.
Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes any of the provisions of Regulation 15 or Regulation 16 commits an offence and is liable to a fine at $2,000: see Regulations 25(1) and 25(2) of the Public Bus Services Regulations (Cap. 230A).