Female Passenger Faints on KMB Bus Due to Hot Weather, Debate over Air Conditioning Intensifies

On August 26, 2024, a female passenger reportedly fainted on a KMB bus route B1 due to the hot and inadequate air conditioning on the vehicle. According to social media reports, the incident sparked a heated debate online about the bus company's air conditioning policies.

The passenger had reportedly pleaded with the driver to increase the cooling, but the driver only adjusted the air conditioning after the woman had already collapsed. This led to backlash from netizens who expressed sympathy for the affected passenger. However, many also came to the defense of the bus driver, explaining that drivers do not have the authority to independently adjust the temperature settings, as these are preset by the company to comply with energy-saving guidelines.

In response to the incident, KMB stated that they had not received any similar complaints on the day in question, but that they were investigating the matter. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a comfortable environment for passengers, with internal temperatures set between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius as per government recommendations.

A KMB spokesperson clarified that the air conditioning settings are adjusted seasonally and are preset across all buses to create a unified environment. Drivers are unable to alter these settings during their routes, which has led to misconceptions among the public about the drivers' control over the conditions.

The incident has reignited the ongoing debate about the balance between energy efficiency and passenger comfort on public transportation, with calls for KMB and other bus operators to ensure adequate cooling during the hot and humid Hong Kong summers.

女乘客因天氣炎熱在九巴車廂內昏倒，引發關於冷氣的討論愈演愈烈

2024年8月26日，一名女乘客在九巴B1線路車廂內因天氣炎熱及冷氣不足而昏倒。根據社交媒體報導，事件引發了網上激烈討論。

該名乘客曾向司機要求增加冷氣,但司機只在她昏倒後才調整冷氣。這引發了網民對受影響乘客表示同情,但也有不少人為司機辯護,解釋司機並沒有權限自行調整溫度設定,因為這些設定是由公司預先設定以符合節能指引。

對於這宗事件,九巴表示當日並未接獲類似投訴,但正在調查此事。該公司重申會致力維持車廂內的舒適環境,並依照政府的建議將溫度設定在攝氏24至26度之間。

九巴發言人解釋,冷氣溫度設定會因應季節而作出調整,並統一應用於所有巴士,司機無權在行車途中更改設定,這導致公眾誤會司機能控制車廂溫度。

是次事件再次引發關於公共交通工具在能源效益和乘客舒適性之間取得平衡的討論,呼籲九巴及其他巴士營運商在香港炎熱潮濕的夏季確保提供充足的冷氣。