Tougher punishment vowed for those endangering bus security

People who grab steering wheels or attack drivers on moving buses will face tougher punishments to effectively safeguard public transportation safety, a newly released guideline said.

The guideline, issued by the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Court on Thursday, clarifies that passengers who interfere with drivers, such as by pulling on the steering wheel or hitting drivers while the bus is moving, would be punished for the crime of endangering public safety.

"Identifying the crime and changing the penalty aim to better ensure safety on moving public transportation and to prevent tragedies, especially like the fatal crash in Chongqing, from occurring," said a statement from the three authorities.