Q5. Do passengers have legal responsibilities for getting on an overloaded public light bus?
No. The responsibility lies on the driver of the vehicle to ensure that the public light bus does not become overloaded.
The driver of a vehicle on a road shall not carry in the vehicle passengers in excess of the number specified in the registration document of that vehicle or permitted by an excess passengers permit: see Regulation 53(3) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G).
Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes Regulation 53(3) commits an offence and is liable on first conviction to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for 3 months and on second or subsequent conviction to a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for 6 months: see Regulation 61(1) of Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G).
However, there is no provision governing the conduct of passenger for getting on an overloaded mini-bus. Thus, there is no legal responsibilities on passengers for getting into an overloaded public light bus.