MTR Corp says sorry after chaotic 1½-hour disruption on Hong Kong Island line
‘The incident is very rare. We attach great importance to it and will conduct an in-depth investigation,’ rail operator says
Hong Kong’s rail operator has apologised after items from a maintenance vehicle and damage to track equipment caused a 1½-hour partial suspension of the MTR Island line, throwing Wednesday’s morning rush hour into chaos.
Train services between Sheung Wan and Quarry Bay stations were suspended as soon as the Island line began operating at 6.07am. The disruption lasted until 7.30am, triggering complaints from passengers about poor contingency arrangements after they were left waiting in long queues for alternative transport.
The MTR Corporation only notified the media about the disruption at around 6.40am, with management meeting the press almost five hours after operations resumed and apologising to the public for the inconvenience caused.
“The incident is very rare. We attach great importance to it and will conduct an in-depth investigation,” said Lee Kim-hung, deputy director of operations engineering maintenance at the MTR Corp.
Lee said engineering staff on the maintenance vehicle, which is deployed most nights for routine inspections, heard “unusual sounds” as it passed along the tracks near Wan Chai station at 5.30am after completing their tasks.
An inspection revealed that some of the vehicle’s components had become displaced and equipment near the tracks had also been damaged.