The MTR should be used to transport freight after midnight to reduce daytime traffic jams caused by trucks, transport experts have suggested.
However, they also acknowledged that the move would lead to job losses in the transport sector.
Dick Rooks, a transport planner at Dutch-based DHV Environment and Infrastructure, put forward the proposal last week while he was in Hong Kong to attend a seminar organised by the private policy think-tank, Civic Exchange.
He said feasibility studies were being carried out in Amsterdam and Rotterdam on ways to reduce truck movement in city areas by using mass transit rail networks to move freight at night.
Mr Rooks said although it might appear more expensive due to increased handling and upgrading work at train stations, these problems might be balanced by other cost-saving benefits.
He said spin-offs included fewer trucks on the road and quicker deliveries.