MTR : Strongly Condemns Attacks on Station Staff and Vandalism of Railway Facilities

PRESS STATEMENT

5 September 2019

MTR Strongly Condemns Attacks on Station Staff and

Vandalism of Railway Facilities

The MTR Corporation expresses its deep anger over the attack on station staff and vandalism of railway facilities at Po Lam Station on Tseung Kwan O Line last night (4 September). The Corporation reiterates that such behaviours may constitute serious crimes and may also constitute a breach of the injunction order. The cases have been reported to the Police. The Corporation will handle the incident in a serious manner and reserve the right to take further legal action against the persons who were responsible.

At about 9 pm last night, two MTR staff members suffered hits at head, left arm and right leg as well as scratches on the neck respectively while handling a passenger dispute case in Po Lam Station. The station reported the case to police and sent the staff members concerned to hospital for treatment. At around 11pm, a gang of people vandalised station facilities including entry/exit gates and ticket issuing machine. Meanwhile, a station master, who was off duty yesterday, was unreasonably stopped and surrounded by several persons on the platform and later in the train compartment. The station master was pushed on to the ground and suffered hand and neck injuries during the chaos. In view of the chaotic situation and that it might endanger the safety of our staff and safe operation of the station, we closed Po Lam Station early at 12 midnight as a prudent measure. The Corporation sends our deep sympathies to the injured colleagues and will provide assistance where suitable.

At around 5:00am on the East Rail Line this morning, while an engineering vehicle was heading back to the depot after regular maintenance works was completed during non-traffic hours, the engineering personnel found that a bicycle was hung on a section of overhead lines between University and Fo Tan stations. There were also other external objects including barriers and a bicycle placed on the tracks nearby. The engineering personnel removed the objects immediately and conducted checking on the overhead lines and tracks to ensure the safety of train operations. The incident led to a delay of the first train of East Rail Line today. The Corporation reiterates that such irresponsible acts of vandalism not only affect train service but also pose a high risk on passengers' safety. It might also result in train faults or even serious incidents such as a high-speed derailment.

In addition, a number of ticket issuing machines, Octopus fare processors, Passenger Information Displays and CCTVs of the Light Rail network were also damaged recently. Repair works were carried out promptly. The Corporation has also ensured that there is at least one Entry Fare Processor and one Exit Fare Processor available for use at each Light Rail stop to minimise the impact on service. Besides deploying station assistants to assist passengers, the Corporation has also made public announcement and put up notice to inform passengers.

-more-

In view of the continuous violent acts which occurred at stations, the Corporation will carry out risk assessment and prudently consider closing stations near the areas where public activities are taking place and arranging trains not to stop at individual stations before the start of upcoming public activities. Such decisions would only be made as a last resort and the public should not vent anger on the MTR staff. In fact, MTR staff have been striving to provide reliable and convenient railway service to members of public under feasible and safe conditions. The Corporation reiterates that it will not tolerate any acts of violence. Relevant cases have already been reported to the police for handling. Meanwhile, the Corporation appeals to members of public to stay calm and be considerate, and stop vandalising station facilities and harassing others.

-END-

Photo captions:

Po Lam Station:

1. A total of 22 entry/exit gates, 1 add value machine, 1 ticket issuing machine and 1 Help Line were damaged at Po Lam Station yesterday (4 September).

East Rail Line:

2. A bicycle was placed on a section of overhead line of the East Rail Line between University and Fo Tan stations.

3. Engineering personnel found a bicycle and two barriers on the tracks of the East Rail Line between University and Fo Tan stations. The objects were removed subsequently.

Light Rail:

4. A number of facilities including 27 ticket issuing machines, 194 Octopus fare processors, 3 Passenger Information Displays, 38 CCTV cameras and 7 advertising panels of the Light Rail network were seriously damaged over the past few days.