EditorialService failures show MTR has work to do to uphold its reputation

Preliminary investigations found that an emergency exit ramp in the rear driver’s cabin was opened on a train heading north from Kowloon Tong to Tai Wai station. A 35-year-old passenger was found in the tunnel and sent to hospital with electric shock injuries.

The train’s built-in safety system triggered an emergency brake, but trains on the line were suspended for about 2½ hours. Commuters on the train were trapped in carriages for more than an hour. Stations were packed with passengers who then had to wait in long queues for alternative transport during evening rush hour.

Railway experts have advised stronger information campaigns and penalties to ensure exits are only used in emergencies. Under MTR by-laws, improper use of emergency equipment could result in a HK$5,000 (US$640) fine and six months’ imprisonment. The incident also sparked debate about whether the door handles need protective covers. Such options should be explored, as long as deterrents and barriers do not stand in the way of access in legitimate emergencies.

The performance of MTR contingency plans must also be examined. Recent incidents indicate a need for better coordination to keep passengers moving with alternative transport options. Signalling errors and equipment failures in recent months also suggest more work is needed on maintenance protocols and daily operations.

In more than four decades of operation, the MTR Corporation has earned a strong global reputation. It is also showcasing mainland China-made rail equipment and technologies, acting as a superconnector as manufacturing giant CRRC expands overseas.