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[1] Hong Kong railway experts have called for tougher penalties and stronger public education to prevent the misuse of emergency exits on trains. The calls follow an incident on the MTR’s East Rail line in March that caused more than two hours of disruption during evening rush hour. Experts have also cast doubt on a lawmaker’s proposal to make emergency doors less accessible, saying it could compromise safety.
[2] A preliminary investigation found that a passenger had opened the emergency exit ramp in the rear driver’s cabin of a train travelling from Kowloon Tong to Tai Wai station. The man, 35, was found inside the tunnel near a Kowloon Tong station exit, having suffered an electric shock.
[3] Legislative Council transport panel member Michael Lee Chun-keung suggested installing a protective cover – similar to those used on fire alarm call points – over emergency exit handles. “To use the door, it would first be necessary to knock [the cover] off. It will then become an automatic barrier to improper use. At the same time, it can be removed easily and without injury in case of a real emergency,” Lee said.
[4] He also proposed installing additional sensors to trigger alerts for both train drivers and nearby station staff in cases of unauthorised access. “We need to take a balanced approach, as misuse or unauthorised access could cause very serious service disruption. The whole community will suffer,” he said.
[5] However, Smart Transportation Alliance director Gary Zhang Xinyu, a former lawmaker who had also worked as an MTR station manager, expressed reservations about Lee’s ideas, calling instead for heavier penalties. “The emergency exits are designed to allow passengers to open them on their own in serious situations without the need of assistance by staff. They are meant to be easily accessible to any passenger,” he said. “But opening them outside an emergency constitutes vandalism and is subject to prosecution.”
[6] Under MTR by-laws, anyone found to have improperly used emergency equipment is liable to a fine of HK$5,000, while improper operation of equipment can result in a HK$5,000 fine and six months imprisonment.
[7] In August 2024, a passenger opened an emergency exit of a train and escaped as it arrived at Kowloon Bay station. The 30-year-old man was arrested six months later, in February last year. In June 2023, Island line services were disrupted for an hour during evening rush hour after about 20 passengers opened emergency exit ramps at Wan Chai station and left after train doors malfunctioned.
Source: South China Morning Post, March 28
