Bus drivers get physicals to ensure rider safety

Shanghai Pudong Bus Transportation Co has again started giving physical examinations to drivers who are over 55 years old to ensure they are fit to operate their vehicles.

The company tested drivers over 55 in April and in September last year, offering those who failed their physicals the choice of either retiring early or transferring to another position, said Gu Zhenhua, manager of the company's human resources department.

"This measure aims to ensure passenger safety," Gu told the Global Times. "It is also a response to an appeal by the Shanghai municipal government to take care of middle-aged bus drivers."

Typically, male workers in Shanghai can't retire until they are 60. However, the company is willing to allow early retirement to ensure its drivers don't suffer from poor eyesight, heart disease or other medical problems that could endanger passengers.

Shanghai's 15 bus companies employ about 30,000 drivers, 2,337 of whom are over 55 years old.

A survey of 465 middle-aged bus drivers found out that 80.95 percent suffer from various medical problems, according to a report in the Shanghai Morning Post. About 68.1 percent said they would like to retire.

The public once again focused on the issue of bus safety Friday evening after 56-year-old Tao Guohua suffered a stroke while he was driving the No.638 bus in Pudong New Area, the report said. Tao managed to stop the bus safely, and none of its 10 passengers was hurt. Tao was taken to the hospital and is now in stable condition.

Recent years saw several instances of middle-aged bus drivers unexpectedly dying behind the wheel in Shanghai. On July 22, 2011, 58-year-old Zhu Delong had a heart attack and died while driving the No.738 bus, according to the Beijing Morning Post.

Two other drivers, Chen Leping, 48, who drove the Baoshan No.7 bus, and Xie Wenlong, who drove the No.933 bus, each died late last year due to an acute cerebral hemorrhage, the Beijing Morning Post reported.