The Public Security Police (PSP) arrested an “angry” woman from the Chinese mainland for grabbing the steering wheel of a moving TCM bus last week, according to PSP spokesman Lei Chan Hong at a regular press conference yesterday.
Lei identified the suspect as a 60-year-old woman, surnamed Yang, who told police she is a retiree.
According to Lei, last Wednesday evening – the second day of the Chinese New Year (CNY) – the Public Security Police received a report about a public bus incident at the junction of Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (亞美打利庇盧大馬路) and Avenida do Infante D. Henrique (殷皇子大馬路).
Upon arriving at the scene, Lei said PSP officers questioned a TCM bus attendant who had been in the area and was asked by the driver for assistance, as well as Yang.
TCM is one of Macau’s two public bus operators.
Lei stated that while asking the driver what was happening, the attendant learnt that, while the bus was in motion, Yang became angry because the driver did not immediately respond to her question about the bus route and then suddenly grabbed the steering wheel. According to Lei, the driver quickly braked and honked the horn, signalling the nearby TCM bus attendant to come to his assistance.
The attendant instructed Yang to exit the bus, allowing it to continue on its 3X route and avoid inconveniencing other passengers. However, the attendant and Yang remained at the scene to wait for the police. The disturbance lasted about 10 minutes, Lei said.
At the Praia Grande Police Station, Yang admitted to the offence, according to Lei, adding that she told the police she had become “momentarily angry” when the driver did not respond to her question immediately as the traffic lights had turned green.
The bus was en route to the Barrier Gate checkpoint, and Yang had asked the driver whether the bus was heading to that location.
Lei confirmed that no one was injured in the incident.
A public advisory on the Transport Bureau (DSAT) website, titled “How to be a Good Passenger?”, states: “Do not speak to the driver while the bus is in motion.”
Lei noted that Yang has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) for further questioning. He pointed out that she faces a charge in line with Article 278 of the Macau Penal Code for “endangering road transport safety.” According to the article, she could face a prison term ranging from two to eight years.
This handout photo provided by Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows PSP officers escorting Yang into the Praia Grande Police Station for questioning last Wednesday.
This map provided by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows an arrow pointing to the location where the bus incident happened last Wednesday.
