SHANGHAI, Aug. 2 -- NOISY buses are the new target for the transport industry's watchdog after a series of complaints from the public.

More than 130 people called in over a fortnight complaining about the noise from buses idling while at terminal stations, officials with the Shanghai Urban Transport Management Bureau said yesterday.

In previous years during summer most of the complaints about buses were to do with the lack of air conditioning, bureau officials said.

But this year it's the noise of the buses and the complaints covered more than 90 terminals which serve 120 bus routes. Other complaints did include concerns about air conditioning and a few people complained about the way staff treated the public.

"There is a rule that drivers of buses not due to leave a terminal within eight minutes must turn off their engines. The same rule should also be applied to buses waiting third in the line," said Fang Weiping, a female official with the bureau.

"Many householders keep their windows open in the daytime in summer so that buses that don't follow the engine noise rules cause an even greater disturbance," Fang explained.

Drivers who are found ignoring the rules have this noted in their work appraisals. The hotline numbers for complaints is 96200 or 12319.