The 17-year-old suspect, a secondary six student named Leung, reported the joyride attempt himself shortly before 2 am.

It was understood that the double-decker was parked at the Wah Fu Central Bus Terminus and Leung – a bus zealot – broke into the driver’s seat and unlocked the hand brake. The bus then slid backwards for some 20 feet and the left-hand side of the front cashed into a railing by the sidewalk.

The railing also tore off the bumper of the bus before it finally came to a halt.

Leung then reported to police himself and his father later also arrived at the scene to learn what happened and to aid police investigation.

Officers said no one was hurt in this incident and arrested Leung for taking a motor vehicle without authorization, driving without a license, and driving without third-party insurance after preliminary investigations.

Replying to media enquiries, Citybus said all of its bus fleet is installed with a system that helps identify the bus captain and therefore, the engine of the bus wasn’t started inappropriately.

Citybus also expressed regret on this incident and urged bus lovers against trying to drive away its buses.