We refer to the letter from Peter G. Winder headlined 'No one seems to fix faulty escalators' (South China Morning Post, November 8).
We would like to explain that all escalators at the MTR are maintained on a schedule that aims to ensure that the escalators continue to perform to the very high standard of safety and reliability which has been achieved over the years.
Given the intensity of our operations, most of the maintenance work must take place overnight after the closure of passenger services. However, some escalators in lightly used locations, where alternative escalators are available nearby, are maintained in the day time during non-peak hours.
When scheduled maintenance is carried out, almost all of the work is actually done in the machine rooms rather than on the escalators themselves. That may explain why Mr Winder did not see any maintenance staff at work even though the 'Under Repair' sign was being displayed.
As an energy saving measure, the corporation also switches off some escalators during non-peak hours, again only where there is an alternative adjacent escalator available. Signs advising passengers of such are displayed when the measure is being implemented.
With regard to Mr Winder's comments on train and station advertising as well as the rental of station space for promotional purposes, it should be recognised that these are a significant source of income for the corporation.
